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October 15, 2020
With the cooler days and nights upon us as we move into autumn, there are things looking to move into your home—rodents. Last year’s mild winter meant a high survival rate for rodents such as mice, squirrels, and yes, rats. Because of that and an abundance of food during the warmer months, the rodent population grew exponentially. Now, all these critters are looking for a nice, warm shelter to cozy into for the winter. Unfortunately, your home or business is an ideal location.
Wondering if rodents have set up residence in your home? Here are three major signs to look out for that indicate you may have a rodent problem—and stop it before it gets out of hand.
Rodent droppings – rodent droppings are the easiest sign to spot. Look for them in the basement along the wall, up along window sill plates and in or around insulation. If the infestation is bad enough, you may see them in your living space, typically in the kitchen around appliances and throughout cabinets.
Holes in your insulation -We told you they’re looking for a nice, warm place to take shelter, what better place than in insulation? Look for holes, nests or tunnels in your insulation. Not only will they set up home here, but as habitual travelers they’ll use it as a travel corridor to conveniently get from one place to many.
“Rub marks” – Rodents have an oil on their fur known as Sebum. This oil leaves a brownish stain on surfaces they pass by, or “rub marks.” The more a rodent uses a particular route, the darker the stain will be. Look along floorboards, walls, joists, and sills for these easy-to-spot marks. Very dark brown spots suggest that there’s established rodent activity.
Other signs to look out for
Scurrying in the walls or ceiling
Gnaw marks on food packages or structures
Food debris
Rodents are sneaky little critters and can find their way into your home through tiny openings or cracks along your foundation, floors, walls, gaps in windows, even drainage pipes if they aren’t properly sealed. Once in, rodents can cause structural damage to your home, contaminate food, chew through wires and insulation, burrow into upholstery and carry all sorts of risk to both your health and home.
Don’t let these uninvited house guests stay the winter. Take back your home.
Pine State Pest Solutions provides free estimates and affordable treatment plans for rodent control and prevention and pests of all kinds.
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