Beware of the fire hazard that comes with rats and mice
Rats and mice can cause house fires by chewing through the electrical wire.
As winter approaches rodents may begin to take up residence in your home.
They are not only a health hazard because of diseases they carry, but can cause fires too.
A fire that ripped through a home in Canterbury recently was likely caused by exposed electrical wires arcing.
Fire crews were called to the blaze in Christchurch. Firefighters entered the property because they thought somebody was inside, but it turned out nobody was home.
In the end, the fire took about three hours to put out. Investigations found it was likely caused by a cable that had been chewed by rats under the house.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case and is yet another cause of a fire in the home which we need to be wary of.
Trapping is one of the best ways to get rid of rats fast. If you don’t want to kill the rat you can take a humane trap and put bait in it to attract the rat.
Peanut butter and cheese are the rat’s favorite. As the rat tries to eat this, it will be caught in the trap.
After this, you can leave the rat in the woods or far away from your home so that it never comes back.
You can add boric acid in the peanut butter to make it more effective, but remember to wear latex gloves while using this remedy.
Tips for keeping your house rodent-free:
- Always keep the home and attic clean.
- Seal all the possible entries of the rats using caulk.
- Keep your garbage cans neat and cover them with a lid.
- Remove all the food leftovers and grease from barbecue grills.
- When you experience the presence of these rodents clean the floor with a solution of bleach and water (equal proportion) to safeguard your family from any disease.
- Try to clear spilled food under units.
- Do not leave food uncovered.
