Getting Rid Of Rats With Mothballs In Georgetown, Massachusetts
Rodent Exterminator
Getting rid of rats in Georgetown, Massachusetts can cause frustration and anxiety for many residents and homeowners. Rats can carry disease, contaminate food, and destroy property ? all of which create a nuisance for homeowners. While there are many methods of rat control, one of the most frequently-asked questions is whether mothballs can be used to get rid of rats.
What Are Mothballs?
Mothballs are small, round or oblong balls of insecticide made of a variety of active ingredients, such as naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Mothballs are usually sold in the form of a waxy solid, granular powder, or pressed briquette, and they are used to control certain pests, such as clothes moths, spiders, and fleas. They create an unpleasant odor that pests are thought to find repellent, causing them to vacate an area.
Do Mothballs Work to Get Rid of Rats?
While mothballs can be effective at repelling other pests, they have not been proven to be effective at getting rid of rats. There are several reasons why mothballs are not successful for this use.
First, rats have an excellent sense of smell that is used to avoid predators and find food. This sense of smell has been proven to be much better than humans and, as a result, it is thought that rats may not find the smell of mothballs particularly unpleasant.
Second, rats have numerous ways to enter buildings. Rats can squeeze through extremely small openings ? often as small as a quarter of an inch ? and they are strong enough to gnaw through wire mesh and foam rubber. As a result, if a rat is determined to enter a building, it is likely that mothballs will not be a sufficient barrier.
Finally, even when mothballs successfully repel rats, the effectiveness is only temporary. Once the mothballs dissipate, the rats will come back.
What Alternatives Can Be Used to Get Rid of Rats?
Trapping is the most effective and humane way to get rid of rats. Rats can be trapped in snap traps, cage traps, and live traps. Traps should be placed in areas where there is evidence of rat activity or clues that they are present, including droppings, damaged packaging, gnawed objects, and burrows. It is important to remember that rats are likely to return, so traps must be checked frequently and reset as needed.
Another option for controlling rat populations is to take steps to eliminate their shelter. Remove debris, cover holes with mesh, and seal cracks and crevices that serve as entry points. Additionally, keep trash and debris contained and away from from the building, and store pet and bird food securely in plastic or metal containers.
Finally, consider hiring a professional pest control company to take care of your rat problem. At F&W Pest Control, we use an integrated pest management approach (IPM) that provides the professional quality you need with the environmentally responsible quality of a DIY approach. Trust the expert exterminators at F&W to get rid of your rats this season. Get a free quote to start debugging your space today.
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