Rats and mice have been problems throughout mankind's recorded history. They eat what we do, enjoy the same temperatures and carry many serious diseases. They can enter a home through an opening as small as half an inch, and build nests inside walls. Rats, in particular have also been known to attack small children. The best course is never to let them in. Wire mesh placed over vents and other openings can present a barrier that rodents can't chew through. Outside, garbage should be removed regularly, as should breeding areas like woodpiles located some distance from the house. If you already have rats or mice, they can be trapped or poisoned. Traps, either live capture or snap-type, present the problem of removing the animal afterwards without the danger of contracting one of the many diseases they carry. Poisons that work on rodents can also be dangerous to children or pets. A reputable pet control specialist should be able to assess your mouse or rat problem and solve it safely and humanely.
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