Residents in the Irish Channel of New Orleans have been expressing concern about disruptive rodents in the area. There are multiple reports of instances of rats gnawing through car wiring and can see them scurrying across power lines frequently from house to house. Not only are the critters giving locals a case of the creeps, but they’re also costing them money.
The resident who claimed a rat chewed through her car’s wiring was left with a repair bill totaling over $400. So, what can be done about the rodent infestation?
Andrew Condran of NOLA Pest Control says you want to identify the issue early and act quickly ... because they will multiply quickly. "You want to see what they're eating and what they're getting into. If you notice an overflow of trash, make sure that's picked up. We call it 'seeking the source', which means you want to look outside for what's drawing them," Condran says.
The resident who claimed a rat chewed through her car’s wiring was left with a repair bill totaling over $400. So, what to do about the rodent infestation? Andrew Condran of NOLA Pest Control says you want to identify the issue early and act quickly ... because they will multiply quickly. "You want to see what they're eating and what they're getting into. If you notice an overflow of trash, make sure that's picked up. We call it 'seeking the source', which means you want to look outside for what's drawing them," Condran says.
The main thing attracting rats to most areas is the possibility of food. That can mean open scraps in garbage cans or even pet food left out for a dog or cat. Those looking to mitigate the chances or rodents taking shelter around their home should be careful to take away food, water, and any available shelter that rats may find (including leaf piles and deep mulch), according to Condran. "It could be an overgrown lot, an abandoned shed, it all goes back to food and shelter. If you can eliminate their food source, you can eliminate their population," adds Condran. He also goes on to advise that greasy outdoor equipment such as barbecue grills also tend to build up residue that can attract rodents to the area.
Water can be especially troublesome, as experts warn against leaving open water containers out overnight. Rodent feces and urine can cause various gastrointestinal issues in humans, such as E-coli infections and respiratory ailments such as the Hantavirus. The city recommends dumping pails, flowerpots, or anything where pools of water can accumulate to avoid attracting the persistent pests.
Condran also suggests adding copper mesh or steel wool to any existing holes that have been made by rodents to prevent them from chewing back through. In the end, Condran says that rodents are much like us, in that they essentially look for easy meals and shelter. Limiting both will help to keep you from having to deal with pests around your home.
