Rodent Awareness Week 2020: The Rise of Rat Infestations

Rodents are entering homes in Baton Rouge LA during the pandemic - Dugas Pest ControlRats are always a common pest problem this time of year, but they are especially prevalent in recent times due to the pandemic. In fact, the CDC announced that rats are more aggressive right now due to their diminishing resources. When restaurants and cafes had to limit operations or shut down entirely, rodents were suddenly deprived of their normal food sources. This is why the pandemic has directly caused an uptick in residential rodent infestations. Besides simply being a nuisance, rodent problems can be dangerous as well. This Rodent Awareness Week, the team at Dugas Pest Control wants to help our customers stay protected from the threat of rat infestations.

Are Rats Spreading Coronavirus?

The shutdowns and shelter in place orders caused an uptick in residential rodent sightings as rats and mice became bolder in their pursuit of food. This has since caused an uptick in infestations and rodent-spread issues. Although the number of infestations is rising, you thankfully do not need to worry about rodents transmitting COVID-19 to you or your family.

However, rodents still can spread other diseases including hantavirus, salmonellosis, and many more. They also can cause significant damage to your home. With rodents more aggressive in the current moment, they will not hesitate to make themselves at home in your home this winter and beyond.

Tips to Keep Rodents Out in Baton Rouge

Rodent prevention is the key to rodent control. To avoid the distressing discovery of rodents on your property, try the following tips:

  1. Securely store all food in metal or glass containers with tight-fitting lids.
  2. Clean the inside the house and around the garden. Less clutter means fewer places to hide.
  3. Put outdoor garbage bags in metal garbage cans with securely fitted lids to stop them from feeding on contents.
  4. Seal off cracks and crevices around openings. Mice can squeeze inside holes the size of a dime.
  5. Clean up pet food and bird seed debris, and store pet food in robust containers with fitted lids, preferably above ground level.
  6. If you have a compost heap don’t include organic food waste, as this will attract them.
  7. Inspect your garage, attic, crawlspaces, and vents for potential rodent hiding spots.

The Rise of Rodent Problems

With everything going on this year, the last thing you need to worry about is a rodent infestation inside your home. If you are dealing with rat or mouse sightings, it’s best to contact the rodent exterminators at Dugas. Our team will work with you to ensure your property is protected from these pests. Call us today!

Tips to Prevent Spooky Pests This Halloween

Spiders are a common fall pest problem in Baton Rouge LA - Dugas Pest ControlHalloween is just around the corner, and you’re likely pulling out bins of decorations. You may be putting up fake spider webs and plastic spiders to celebrate, but chances are you don’t want the real ones crawling through your home this time of year. Unfortunately, fall pest problems are common here in Baton Rouge as pests and insects begin to make their way indoors for warmth and shelter. They also can be brought indoors when you unpack your seasonal decorations. It’s important to be aware of the potential pest problems you could encounter this time of year. Keep reading for our top tips to prevent spooky pests this Halloween.

Halloween Pests To Keep an Eye Out For

Fall pest infestations can be frustrating because many of these pests are looking to cozy up inside your home through the winter. Whether you’re about to unpack a box of decorations or want to clean up your property, here are the pests to look for:

  1. Rats. Rodents infamously squeeze their way inside this time of year for warmth, food, and shelter. They could be nesting in your boxes of decorations.
  2. Stink bugs & boxelder bugs. These seasonal bugs appear on the sides of homes and could crawl indoors if given the chance.
  3. Spiders. Spider populations are abundant in the fall and many get indoors. They may be lurking in your box of decorations!
  4. Bed bugs. While common at all times of the year, traveling or college students lead to an increase in infestations. They also could be found on second-hand costumes.

Tips to Prevent Seasonal Pests

You may be putting fake rodents or bats out as decorations, but you definitely want to prevent the real ones from getting indoors! As you would any other time of the year, it’s important to know how to keep pests out of your home. Some of our top tips include sealing all cracks and crevices in your home with caulk, installing a new window or door screens, cleaning up your yard’s foliage, keeping a tidy kitchen with sealed food containers, and storing all seasonal decorations in airtight plastic bins. If you are having trouble sealing off your home to pests this fall, it’s best to reach out to your local exterminator for assistance.

Need Help With Pests this Fall?

It’s nearly the holiday season, and the last thing you want to deal with is a pest problem. Always be extra cautious when unpacking your decorations or buying secondhand items. If you find yourself with an infestation or want to further protect your Baton Rouge home from pests this fall and winter, the Dugas Pest Control residential exterminators are here to help.