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If you’re apprehensive about whether pest control services are safe for dealing with a termite infestation, rest assured that they are, as long as you hire a licensed company following strict safety protocols. Before the process begins, you'll need to remove food, plants, and pets from the home to prevent chemical exposure. You’ll also need to vacate your home for a couple of days while the treatment takes place and the chemicals dissipate. Re-entry is only safe once your pest control provider confirms that the home has been properly ventilated and cleared for return.

Aside from incorporating smells that roaches hate in your bedroom, such as citronella, lemongrass, or clove oil, there are a few ways you can keep roaches away at night. First, try moving your bed away from the wall, as roaches will often climb the walls and onto your bed. If you’re still having trouble, you can also purchase a mosquito tent for your bed, or hang netting from the ceiling to surround your sleeping area. Make sure it isn’t touching the ground, though, as they may attempt to climb it.

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.

The full process of using a rat exterminator can take several weeks. If you have a larger infestation, the exterminator may need to return several times to collect rats. The timeline of your rat eradication depends on the infestation size and type of treatment, so consult a rat exterminator to get an accurate estimate for your specific issue.