Get matched with top pest control specialists in Jacksonville, IL

Woodpeckers may seek out homes with aluminum siding or tin roofs because these surfaces echo their drumming. Homes with wood siding are more frequently targeted as roosting areas or for food sources. If you have insects living in the exposed wood in your home, the birds are likely looking for a snack, in which case your best option is to hire an exterminator.

Some people find that treating their yards with natural substances can help to repel ticks. In fact, pest extermination companies often offer all-natural lawn treatments to repel ticks. Household ingredients like oregano oil, clove oil, thyme, and citronella ward off ticks and are natural ways to get rid of fleas.

Roof rats can carry a variety of pathogens and parasites, including salmonellosis (food contamination), leptospirosis, trichinosis, rat-bite fever, murine typhus, plague, and toxoplasmosis. Diseases can be spread via urine, droppings, or saliva. To prevent transmission, it’s essential to promptly address a roof rat infestation and avoid direct contact with the animals where possible.

You can find anti-rat sprays in most home department stores that may be worth a try. Spray them along fences and in areas where you don’t want rats to go (like around decks) and they may think twice before approaching. For a natural version, you can try a mint spray, since rats generally dislike mint. But even the most effective sprays are unlikely to stop a hungry rat over time.