Rodent Control

Rodents, also known as "Musa" in Nepali can cause significant damage to your property and pose health risks to your family. If you're hearing scratching noises at night or spotting droppings, it's time to take action.
Rat

Rats, members of the rodent family, are highly adaptable creatures found across the globe, thriving in diverse environments ranging from urban cities to rural farmlands. Known for their intelligence and resourcefulness, rats have historically coexisted with humans, often dwelling in close proximity to human settlements. Despite their negative reputation as pests, rats play a crucial role in ecosystems by serving as prey for numerous predators and aiding in seed dispersal.

One of the most remarkable features of rats is their ability to quickly reproduce and adapt to changing conditions. With a short gestation period and large litters, rats can rapidly increase their population size, making them challenging to control in areas where they are considered nuisances. Furthermore, rats possess keen senses, including excellent hearing, smell, and touch, allowing them to navigate through various environments and locate food sources efficiently.

While rats are often viewed as pests due to their tendency to infest homes and businesses, they have also contributed significantly to scientific research. Rats have been instrumental in studies related to behavior, neuroscience, and medicine, serving as valuable models for understanding human physiology and disease. Their genetic similarity to humans, coupled with their fast reproductive cycle, makes rats indispensable in biomedical research, offering insights into conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders. Despite their mixed reputation, rats continue to intrigue scientists and capture the curiosity of the public with their remarkable adaptability and intelligence.

Diseases caused

Rats can transmit various diseases to humans through direct contact, bites, scratches, or indirectly via contaminated food, water, or surfaces. Some of the diseases caused by rats include:

 

  1. Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection is transmitted through rat urine and can lead to symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, and in severe cases, kidney and liver damage.
  2. Hantavirus: Humans can contract hantavirus through contact with rat droppings, urine, or saliva. It can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which presents with symptoms like fever, muscle aches, coughing, and difficulty breathing. HPS can be fatal if not treated promptly.
  3. Rat-Bite Fever: This bacterial infection is transmitted through rat bites or scratches or by consuming food or water contaminated with rat feces. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, vomiting, rash, and joint pain.
  4. Salmonellosis: Rats can carry Salmonella bacteria and contaminate food or water sources. Consuming contaminated food or water can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.
  5. Plague: While rare in modern times, rats can still carry the bacteria Yersinia pestis, which causes the plague. Fleas that infest rats can transmit the bacteria to humans, leading to symptoms such as fever, chills, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and potentially life-threatening complications if not treated promptly.
  6. Rat Lungworm Disease: This parasitic infection is caused by the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Humans can become infected by consuming contaminated food, water, or produce, leading to symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, fever, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, neurological complications.

 

Preventing contact with rats and practicing good hygiene, such as proper food storage and waste disposal, are essential for reducing the risk of contracting diseases transmitted by rats. If someone suspects they have been exposed to a disease carried by rats, they should seek medical attention promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Lifecycle of the pest

The lifecycle of a rat typically consists of several stages, from birth to adulthood, including mating, gestation, birth, and maturity. Here’s an overview of the lifecycle of a rat:

  1. Birth: Rats are born after a gestation period of about 21 to 23 days, depending on the species. A litter usually consists of 6 to 12 pups, although it can vary. Newborn rats are blind, hairless, and completely dependent on their mother for warmth, protection, and nourishment.
  2. Infancy: During the first few weeks of life, rat pups rely solely on their mother’s milk for nutrition. They gradually begin to develop fur, their eyes open around 10 to 14 days after birth, and they start to explore their surroundings. The mother rat provides care, including nursing, grooming, and teaching basic behaviors.
  3. Weaning: Around 3 to 4 weeks of age, rat pups start to wean off their mother’s milk and transition to solid food. They become more independent but still rely on their mother and littermates for socialization and learning.
  4. Juvenile Stage: After weaning, young rats enter the juvenile stage. They continue to grow rapidly, develop their physical abilities, and learn essential social behaviors through interaction with littermates and adult rats.
  5. Sexual Maturity: Rats reach sexual maturity relatively early, typically between 5 to 8 weeks of age, depending on the species and individual factors. Male rats (bucks) and female rats (does) become capable of reproduction and may start mating at this stage.
  6. Reproduction: Rats are prolific breeders, and under optimal conditions, they can reproduce throughout the year. Female rats have a estrous cycle that typically lasts 4 to 5 days, during which they are receptive to mating. Mating behavior involves courtship rituals and copulation.
  7. Adult Stage: Once rats reach adulthood, they are fully grown and capable of independent living. They establish territories, form social hierarchies within groups, and engage in behaviors such as foraging, nesting, and grooming.
  8. Life Span: The lifespan of a rat varies depending on factors such as genetics, environment, and care. Wild rats typically have shorter lifespans due to predation, disease, and other hazards. Domesticated rats, kept as pets, can live for 2 to 3 years or even longer with proper care and attention.

Throughout their lifecycle, rats adapt to their environment, exhibit complex social behaviors, and play important roles in ecosystems as both prey and predators.

How we get rid of them

Getting rid of rats can be a challenging task, but there are several effective methods you can use:

  1. Identify and Seal Entry Points: Inspect your property for any openings or gaps that rats could use to enter. Seal these entry points with sturdy materials such as steel wool, metal flashing, or concrete to prevent rats from gaining access.
  2. Eliminate Food and Water Sources: Rats are attracted to areas with readily available food and water. Keep food stored in sealed containers, clean up spills promptly, and fix any leaks or standing water sources to deprive rats of these essential resources.
  3. Set Traps: Traps are an effective way to catch and remove rats from your property. There are various types of traps available, including snap traps, live traps, and electronic traps. Place traps along walls, in areas where rats are active, and near entry points.
  4. Use Rodenticides: Rodenticides can be used to control rat populations, but they should be used with caution and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Place rodenticide baits in tamper-resistant bait stations to prevent accidental exposure to pets and children.
  5. Practice Good Sanitation: Keep your home and property clean and clutter-free to eliminate hiding spots and nesting areas for rats. Dispose of trash properly, clean up pet food and birdseed spills, and maintain a tidy yard to discourage rats from taking up residence.
  6. Employ Natural Predators: Natural predators such as cats and certain species of birds can help control rat populations. Consider adopting a cat or installing bird feeders to attract birds of prey to your property.
  7. Use Ultrasonic Repellents: Ultrasonic repellents emit high-frequency sound waves that are unpleasant to rats and can deter them from entering your property. Place ultrasonic devices in areas where rats are active, but keep in mind that their effectiveness may vary.
  8. Seek Professional Help: If you have a severe rat infestation or if your efforts to control rats on your own are unsuccessful, consider hiring a professional pest control service. Pest control professionals have the expertise and resources to effectively eliminate rat infestations and prevent future problems.

It’s important to be persistent and patient when attempting to get rid of rats, as it may take time to completely eradicate them from your property. Additionally, be sure to take preventive measures to minimize the risk of future rat infestations.

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Other Pests

Bed Bug Control

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed exclusively on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. They are about the size and shape of an apple seed, but can become swollen and red after feeding. Unfortunately, there isn't a single, simple cure for bed bugs. However, there are highly effective treatments available through professional pest control services that can eliminate all stages of life - adults, nymphs, and eggs.

Mosquito Control

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance; they can transmit serious diseases. While searching for "mosquito control measures" might lead to various options, the most effective approach is a multifaceted attack. Our service goes beyond basic prevention. We combine methods to slash mosquito populations: eliminating breeding grounds, targeting larvae with larvicide, and eliminating adult mosquitoes with EPA-approved solutions.

Termite Control

Termites, silent destroyers lurking beneath the surface, can cause significant damage to your property. With so many options available, you might be wondering, "what is the best termite control method?" The answer is getting professional help from pest control services. Suraksha Pest Control services will check out your situation and recommend the most effective termite control strategy.