Rats 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:

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