HENDERSON (FOX5) – With fewer visitors on the Las Vegas Strip and less food waste, experts say, rodents are making their way into the valley districts instead.
“Rats still had to eat. They have spread even more. We get more calls than in my 26 years in the industry. It’s very important that homeowners be proactive, ”said Russell Hedland of Las Vegas Pest Control.
John Farley of Henderson said the trees and bushes in his back yard were green until rodents chewed through his sprinkler system.
“My girlfriend is totally exhausted. They don’t bother me on that note, but they make her shiver so she has a real visceral response, “Farley said.
His rodent problem got worse when rats entered his house and chewed through plastic coverings, drywall, and other expensive items.
“It chewed where our washing machine is. It chewed through one of the tubes. We have a lot of water damage on the floor. We all had to buy new equipment, ”said Farely.
The new equipment brought him back $ 4,000 and he has yet to replace his floor.
Pest control experts investigated the problem at his home last week.
“You gave us the traps. They sprayed around the house. Inside and outside. But the problem is still not fixed, ”said Farely.
Checking for holes, spaces in walls, and nests in the bushes is always a good preventative measure.
Experts say the harm from rats is far worse than the cost of prevention.
Farley is so tired of the rodent problem in his house that he adopted a cat from a shelter.
“Hopefully it’ll at least act as a deterrent,” Farley said.
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