Rat infestations are increasing in New Albany, with hundreds of invasions recorded every year. Studies show Norway rats and roof rats are slowly taking over local properties, and these infestations are only made worse by the presence of stored food.
Homeowners store food for many reasons, including animal feed, emergency preparedness, and counter storage for leftovers. But the more food you have, the more rodents look for ways to get inside. This makes rodent control in New Albany extremely challenging at best.
Thankfully, this comprehensive guide from McCary Pest Control explains everything you need to know about rodents and food storage. Once we explore the role of packaging in infestations, we take a closer look at some protection protocols. We also look into sustainable pest prevention services and examine local pest control services from the team at McCary Pest Control.
The Role Of Packaging: Choosing Rodent-Resistant Containers
Plastic bags and cardboard boxes are not enough to prevent rat problems in your kitchen. Rats have nearly 1,000 different genes for odor identification, which means they can easily smell stored food items even if you and your family cannot.
If you’re purchasing food in cardboard boxes or plastic bags, you need to upgrade to a stronger container to keep hungry rodents away. This includes:
- Ultra-reinforced plastic
- Glass containers or jars
- Airtight containers
For additional suggestions for your New Albany kitchen, you can contact the team at McCary Pest Control today.
Pet Food Protocols: Preventing Rat Access To Animal Feed
Pet food is one of the largest attractant factors for common rodents in New Albany. Remember: even just a few leftover kibbles in a pet bowl could look like a feast for hungry rats.
If you have outdoor pets that don’t come inside, consider feeding certain amounts at certain times. Leaving food outside on an ongoing basis could attract rodents to the source, which may expose your pet to various diseases and risk their health and wellness.
You may also want to consider storing pet food in airtight bins. Large metal trash cans and plastic totes are great options for the average homeowner.
Wild bird seed is another type of ‘pet’ food you should keep under lock and key. Oily sunflower seeds, for example, could attract rodents to your greenhouse, storage shed, or garage. Airtight bins or metal trash cans can help to keep these pests at bay.
But let’s say you follow all this advice and still feel at risk for a rodent infestation. Below, we explore even more eco-friendly practices for rat control in New Albany.
Sustainable Pest Prevention: Eco-Friendly Practices
Better food storage is just one method of preventing rat infestations.
You should also follow a few other best practices, including the following:
- Repair clogged drains and leaky pipes.
- Seal up cracks and gaps around the house.
- Remove trash bags at least once per week.
Keep in mind these are prevention measures only. You cannot rely on the above to get rid of rats.
For total rat control around your New Albany home, you need to get in touch with McCary Pest Control.
Local Pest Control Services: Collaborating With Experts
McCary Pest Control is New Albany’s favorite provider of rodent prevention and control. We offer white-glove service to hundreds of customers facing infestations, big or small.
First, we inspect your home for rodents and provide professional recommendations. Then, we treat your home via traps, bait, and glue boards. We also offer exclusion services with a full one-year warranty for your peace of mind.
For more information about our New Albany rodent control services, contact McCary Pest Control today.