Keeping Bugs AwayKeeping Bugs Away

You rarely gave a thought to your attic space, until you needed another room to accommodate your growing family. Unfortunately, your first trek up there in years did not go as expected. While you knew that there was clutter to clear out, the last thing that you expected to find was a rodent taking up residence where you want to put your kids. Before you start converting your attic into another living space, use these strategies to eliminate the rodents and prevent them from returning:

Determine the Extent of the Problem

Rodent invasions quickly escalate into a major problem that may require replacing materials in the attic such as the insulation. It is also possible that the rodent infestation is more extensive than it appears, and the critters may also be living within the walls of your house or in other rooms. Arrange for a professional pest technician to come and inspect your entire house. This allows you to understand the full scope of what must be done to remove the rodents and get your attic back to livable conditions.

Choose the Correct Extermination Method

There are tons of do-it-yourself methods for rodent control on the market. While it may seem cheaper or easier to set some traps out, keep in mind that it takes training to know how to safely exterminate rodents without placing yourself at risk. Rodents often carry diseases that are transmittable to humans, and common over-the-counter treatments such as poison tend to cause them to run off and die in areas of your home that might be dangerous. Therefore, it is more effective to seek rodent control services from a professional that can ensure the safety of your family.

Implement a Prevention Plan

Once you get the rodents out of your house, you want to make sure that you never encounter the problem again. Attics are vulnerable to rodent invasions because of their proximity to parts of the home that become damaged such as the roof and exterior vents. Keep these areas in good repair to reduce the possibility of a rodent finding an entry point. Then, keep food and water cleaned up around your house so that rodents are not drawn to your attic space.

Setbacks are never fun when you are eager to get started on a home remodeling project. However, clearing the rodents and any damage they created out of the attic before you start the conversion process is essential for a successful outcome. By making pest control a priority, you can ensure that the only little feet you hear scrambling around upstairs is your children's.

Contact a company like Patrick Exterminating for more information and assistance.