As autumn turns the trees beautiful colors in the tri-state area, some pests get ready to go into hibernation―unfortunately, mice and rodents are not the hibernating type and begin to invade homes even more during this season. Throughout autumn and winter, rodents are on the lookout for the warmest place they can find shelter, and oftentimes the perfect place turns out to be your home!
If you’ve seen the wayward mouse or rat, you might be asking yourself what the logical next step is. Is it a problem you can take care of yourself? Will there be more? How quickly could an infestation get out of control? Read more to find out everything the Masters know about these pests.
Rodents often spend the winter foraging for food, avoiding predators, and seeking shelters. Outside, that means they burrow into the ground to rest and bear young. In your home, they often invade wall voids, attics, crawl spaces, or anywhere dark and relatively private. To read more about their characteristics, head to our pest library.
When rodents find their way inside, whether through holes in roofing or cracks in walls, they will chew on anything from boxes to wires and insulation. If they can make their way to your kitchen they’ll even eat your groceries right out of the pantry. Rodent saliva is a common trigger for asthma, and food contamination and disease often follow these pests. They also carry fleas and ticks. The CDC estimates that rodents spread over 35 diseases. You can read the CDC’s recommended precautionary measures against mice here.
Removing rodents can be as simple as setting up a mousetrap. The problem comes when you start to see several rodents, and especially rats. Rats are smart and can learn to avoid traps. If you’ve set up traps and tried carefully cleaning up your area, but begin to feel overwhelmed or that the traps aren’t working, it’s important to call a pest control company.
A professional pest management company can identify nesting areas and feeding grounds, as well as ensuring that proper cleanup is performed so you and your family are safe from illness and future infestation. To get help from the Masters, call us today at 877-546-9575 or click here to submit a form.