| By :
Mark Etinger
As much as we'd like to believe our homes house only ourselves, it's reality that this isn't always true. Furry little pests sometimes find their ways into our homes and it's tricky to get rid of them. How can you tell if you have them in the first place? And how can you get rid of them in a humane way? Well, one thing at a time. Here are some methods to tell if you have rodents: -If you see gnaw marks. Rodents gnaw on wood to get around the inside of your house and to sharpen their teeth. You can usually tell how long you've had mice by looking at the holes and markings they've made. New gnawings are often rough, and old are smooth. -If you see urine or droppings. Fresh droppings are soft and moist, while old droppings are hard and dry. Rodents often have places where they prefer to do their business, like corners. They also urinate while running, leaving streaks of urine hat glow under ultraviolet lights. -Footprints! This is an obvious one, but did you know that rodent's front feet have 4 toes and the hind feet have 5 toes? I'm not suggesting taking a magnifying glass to it, but you might be able to see the difference. Nevertheless, footprints are footprints and are evidence of rodents in your home. -If you see damaged goods, particularly food like fruits, cereals and meats. Miniature gnaw marks on food will be a dead giveaway, unless you have a mouse-sized dog or cat or a pet hamster on the loose. -If you hear little footprints, gnawing behind the walls and any type of movement throughout your house, you have rats or crooks. -If you see rub marks on the walls at rodent-level. Rodent's fur has oil and grease and will slightly mark the walls as they rub against the walls. If you've answered yes to one or more of these, then you most likely have some unwanted guests in your home. The best way to get rid of them humanely? A humane mouse trap for one, would be your best bet. Here are some techniques to get rid of pests: -Always keep your food sealed--starve these guys out so they feel compelled to move onwards to another home. -Never leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Rodents are more agile and skilled than they seem. Not only are they speedy, but they can also easily maneuver on top kitchen counters into your sink to sneak a taste. If you've got a plate they can climb down, they've got a way to climb back up. -Take your trash out every single night. The scent of food and opportunity to actually eat from your garbage will keep them in your home. Use glue mouse traps or humane mouse traps depending on what you think is best. Be patient and understand that the cleaner you keep your home, the smaller the chance you'll have unwanted guest. Good luck!
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