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While keeping any critter away permanently isn’t always possible, you can keep mice away from your home by setting traps, fumigating your space, and sealing known entry points. Once you’ve taken these steps, take time to work on prevention measures, such as clearing out all clutter and recyclables and removing all food sources.

To determine if you have a rat or mouse infestation, look for several key differences. The most obvious is the size of the rodent: rats are significantly larger with thicker bodies, while mice are much smaller and more slender. You can also identify them by their droppings; rat droppings are larger and rounder, about the size of a raisin, while mouse droppings are smaller, like a grain of rice, and often have pointed ends. Other signs include the sounds they make, as rats produce louder scratching and gnawing noises due to their size. Behaviorally, rats tend to be more cautious, whereas mice are more curious and might be seen more often. Additionally, rat nests are typically larger than those of mice. If you are unable to see the pest or find clear evidence, a professional inspection can provide a definitive identification.

While it may seem counterintuitive, it is best to continue sleeping in your bed even if you have a bed bug infestation. If you move to another room, the bed bugs may follow you, which can spread the infestation to other parts of your home. To minimize bites while you sleep, wear protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. In the meantime, you should also isolate any potentially infested belongings and take steps to kill the bed bugs on your mattress as quickly as possible while waiting for professional treatment.

One of the most widespread chemicals used for killing termites is Fipronil. It’s one of the most common insecticides used by termite exterminators to kill termites fast. However, it’s toxic and generally used in outdoor areas only. Popular brand names of termite killers include Taurus, Bifen, Termidor, and BioAdvanced. All insecticides have pros and cons: Some are safer around humans but don’t last as long. Some may kill nearby plants or have power odors. Some are designed for safe indoor bait stations but take much longer to work.