Get matched with top nest installation pros in Darien, IL

Seeing a rat or two isn’t uncommon, especially in mild climates. That doesn’t mean they are actively a danger to your home. The problem is when you start seeing rats regularly in your yard, there’s a good chance they are also looking for ways to get into your house or other buildings. All they need is a small hole or gap, and they have a new place to nest -- which is bad news for you. Stay cautious if you start seeing rats in your yard all the time. 

Don’t count on squirrels leaving on their own. Squirrels like the safety that a cozy attic provides and won’t be in a hurry to leave, especially if they’ve recently given birth to a litter. It’s best to address the situation with DIY removal tactics or hire a squirrel removal pro as soon as you suspect squirrels are living in your attic.

Some snake repellents are risky to use around people and pets because they use the active ingredient in mothballs, naphthalene. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified naphthalene as a carcinogen that can cause damage to the liver, neurological issues, and cataracts. 

The Colorado State University Extension suggests there’s not enough conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of snake repellents to recommend their use.

To clean a trash can with maggots, combine chlorine bleach and hot water in a 1-to-1 ratio and pour about half a gallon of the solution into the bottom of your garbage can. Just make sure there aren’t holes in the can before doing so. Close the lid, and let the fumes go to work to kill the maggots. Rinse the can with a hose outside. Consider finishing up with a bleach disinfectant and a scrub brush before letting the can dry completely. You can also consider hiring an exterminator near you for a quick, easy solution to maggots in your garbage cans.