Rodents and wildlife pests come in all shapes and sizes, the largest being the capybara. The smallest is the pygmy jerboa. Professional pest control services such as Nextgen Pest Solutions and others can help you rid your property of any wildlife rodents causing disarray and chaos on your property. With that said, if you live on a larger property, there is a lot more area for an infestation to start, so it's best to keep your property well maintained to avoid any pests or rodents from finding shelter on your property even after seeking professional assistance. Here's are the most common wildlife pests and how to keep them off your property.
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Practical Tips To Rid Your Property Of Common Wildlife Pests
Keeping Raccoons Out Of Your Yard
Raccoons may be cute, although they are a larger species of rodents and can cause a tremendous mess in your home and yard, and they are also carriers of rabies. They can also cause canine hepatites for your pets, so following some tips can keep them out of your yard is wise, as raccoons only venture into urban areas for food and water. They will be attracted to your trash cans. If they can get it, they will throw the rubbish all over the yard, searching for food.
It's best to secure your bins, even if it means with a lock. Bring your pet food in at night before you go to bed; if you have any bird feeders, try to put grease on the poles as the raccoons will slip when trying to climb to get the food. You should also remove any form of shelter for the raccoons, such as entry points underneath steps and any holes in the ground. It is also wise to trim any tree branches close to the roof of your house as they can enter your home through holes in your roof. When your chimney is not in use, seal it off as this is one of the easiest ways for a raccoon to enter a property.
Repelling Snakes From Your Property
A simple way to keep snakes away is by denying them a food source. A snake in the city will search for rodents. Hence, if you have rodents or signs of rodents, this can also lead to a snake problem. Ensure that your yard and home clean, as this is the easiest way to keep rodents away. A well-maintained garden is also a sure-set way to keep snakes away.
Keeping your grass short and garden beds neat will deny the snakes any place to hide. Cracks or holes should be blocked off to curb any shelter opportunities for snakes. Avoid keeping piles of leaves and compost piles in the garden. This is a preferred shelter for many snakes to hide. It is also best to keep your compost in a compost bucket or bin that no animal can get in.
Preventing Rat And Mice Infestations
Out of all the rodents that can infest your home, rats are by far the most harmful to your family's health as these pests carry numerous diseases that can be deadly. Rats can also cause damage to property as they can eat through wood and make holes in the walls to find a place for shelter.
One of the best ways to keep rats away is to keep a clean home, wash dishes daily, never leave food out unnecessarily and keep food correctly stored. Don't leave any pet food outside, and clean the area around your pet's food bowl so that no food is available for any rodents to find. Block and seal any entry points that rodents can get to. Place rat traps in the ceiling and around the garden where you suspect any rat infestation.
Although Cute, Squirrels Can Cause Damage
Although these critters have not been found to cause any disease to humans, it better to avoid letting them into your home as they can chew through wood structures and cause property damage. A natural way to keep squirrels away is with odors, and these are naturally not bad for the environment. White pepper, black pepper, and garlic are potent deterrents for squirrels, as well as peppermint oil.
Also, try out some store-bought repellents as these contain the urine of the animals that are their natural predators, and it's strong enough to deter the wildlife pest without causing you or your family any harm. Perhaps if you don't want to kill these critters, you could feed them in a separate part of your garden as the population of squirrels is enormous; it can't be possible to bring the population under control in certain areas.
The Destroyers Of Your Garden, Gophers
These are burrowing rodents and go for nutrient-rich plants and can destroy your beautiful garden in a matter of hours. The holes that they dig can also be a tripping hazard. These rodents can reach a body length of about 6-8 inches. Gophers mainly target fruits and vegetables that grow in the ground. If you have a vegetable garden, you should install an underground barrier or raise your vegetable garden on chicken mesh as gophers cant burrow through steel. A natural way is to plant what gophers hate the most. A few to try are lavender foxglove rosemary and rock rose.
Another option to consider is to dip cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them where you see any burrows as this is strong smell will deter them from your garden. Another humane option is to invest in live traps, as this just traps the animal in the back of the trap. You can transport them back to the wild or hand them over to the authorities.
No matter how hard you try to avoid a rodent problem, they can still somehow find their way into your home or garden. The best to prevent any rodent or pest infestation is cleanliness. If all else fails after putting all the traps and doing everything you can, you should call the pros as some rodents can cause costly property damage, while others can be health concerns.
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