How To Identify and Prevent Rodent Infestation
Catching sight of a rodent is not a pleasant experience, especially when it’s in your home. Watching them sprint from one corner of your kitchen to the other makes all of us cringe. But don’t panic, give us a call! We will leave no proverbial stone unturned as we de-infest and de-infect your home. Our professionals follow effective methods that eliminate the rodents and prevent them from invading again. Allow us to run a full inspection and design an action plan!
You don’t want rodents moving around freely because they pose a serious threat to you and your loved ones, including pets. So, call us before it is too late.
Why Is Rodent Infestation A Serious Problem?
Rodents often carry diseases like typhus fever, Hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis.
They leave an unpleasant, ammonia-like odor wherever they go.
Rodents act as carriers for ticks and fleas, which can harm humans and animals alike.
They contaminate food with their droppings, hair, and urine. This results in food poisoning.
Rodents damage the aesthetics and structure of the place where they reside.
They chew through materials such as food containers, wooden boards, and wiring.
Where Do Rodents Hide?
Cockroaches don’t need much space to come inside. You may be surprised at the following pathways they often take to enter your home:
Rats and mice can move about quickly without catching anybody’s attention, unless they become enormously huge. They do not require much space to co-exist with humans and will take shelter inside your home in dark places away from your reach.
You may find them in these areas:
– Sheds, gardens, and garages
– Walls, under floors, and in ceilings
– Behind cupboards or bathtubs
– In boxes, furniture, and machinery
– Under rubbish heaps, woodpiles, or animal enclosures
– Within thick vegetation and holes under buildings
How Do You Know That You Have A Rodent Problem?
The following signs will indicate that your place is infested with rodents.
Chew marks
Rodents of every size love to gnaw on all types of material including wires and baseboards, cupboards, and wood. So, if you notice chew marks, you know who the culprit is!
Rotting odor
If a rodent dies inside your house, the smell will become a real problem. Keep in mind that removing a dead rodent on your own could be extremely hazardous. If you decide to try, ensure your mouth is properly covered and wear gloves. Its best to enlist the help of licensed pest control professionals to locate the deceased rodent and make your place pest-free.
Is your pet behaving oddly?
Have you recently noticed your beloved pet scratching the walls or acting erratically? Beware; it could be a sign that rodents are walking through the walls and pipes of your home. If your pet exhibits this behavior, consider it a possibility that your place is rodent-infested.
Allergies
There are many things that cause allergies, but one could be a pest infestation. Eradicating pests may solve your allergy problem immediately.
Droppings
Rodent dropping clearly prove their presence. Their droppings can vary in size between ¼-¾ inches long, depending on the size of the rodent. Remember to fully cover your mouth and hands when clearing the droppings.
Holes
Have you noticed small holes in wooden material or on the walls? Rodents usually create such holes to use as access points so they can make their way in and out.
Tracks
Don’t ignore those little footprints, another visible sign of infestation. Their trail can be quite easy to identify in dusty areas, but less obvious in others.
Noise
When rodents are moving about freely in your house, you will often hear gnawing sounds, scampering, and scratching. You will most likely hear these noises in your attic, inside the walls, and in the ceilings. This is another sign that your home is rodent-infested.
Rodents leave grease marks
Rodents leave grease marks and streaks on whatever surfaces they run across or pass through. This is because of their greasy fur. So if you notice inexplicable marks around your home, rodents may be to blame.
How Can You Avoid Rodent Problems?
Unfortunately, rodents adapt to the human environment very well! If you wish to prevent them from invading your property, then you must take a few steps to deter them.
Begin by sealing all the small exit and entrance points. Repair damaged or broken screens, doors, and windows.
Keep rubbish bins far away from your home.
Store firewood a minimum of 20 feet away from your home. And always keep the shrubbery trimmed.
Dehumidify the areas with excessive moisture content to keep your home dry. Get rid of clogged drains, as they are a perfect breeding site for the rodents.
Do not ignore your chimney or leave it open. Doing so provides an easy way for rodents to get inside. Simply install a chimney net to prevent that from happening. Cover any other places which are open for ventilation with an iron net.
Warm, humid areas attract rodents. Ensure that such sites are well ventilated and dry at all times.
Do not plant ivy on your walls as it provides a food source and shelter for rodents, slugs, and snails.
