Rodents create health hazards, cause structural damage, and compromise insulation leading to higher utility bills. The sounds of scurrying and chewing in walls can indicate an infestation and require prompt rodent removal.
Preventive measures include securing entry points, such as cracks in foundations and gaps around windows and doors, and caulking. Storing food in airtight containers, cleaning up crumbs immediately, and emptying trash on a regular basis can also help prevent rodents from entering the home. Read on Rodent Retreat for more details.
Rodents enter homes and businesses in search of food, warmth and shelter, and one rodent can quickly become an infestation. They can also cause serious damage to property and disrupt the functioning of structures.
Rodents breed continuously and require a strategic approach to pest control. Our experienced technicians can provide a comprehensive rodent control plan including trapping, bait stations and habitat modification. We offer year-round recurring rodent pest control services to keep mice, rats and other rodents out of your home or business.
In addition to damaging buildings and their contents, rodents carry human-transmitted diseases and create unhealthy indoor environments. Their feces, urine and saliva can contaminate foods and kitchen surfaces, trigger allergies and asthma and spread fleas. Rodents chew on wires, increasing the risk of electrical fires, and gnaw through wood, drywall, and insulation, leading to structural damage. They also gnaw through boxes and bags, chewing through contents and causing items to get lost or damaged.
The most common signs of rodents in homes and businesses are droppings, tracks, and gnaw marks. Droppings are small and pellet-shaped, about the size of a grain of rice. Look for them in pantries, drawers and cabinets and along baseboards. Tracks are lighter in color and tend to follow walls or other boundaries. Gnaw marks appear lighter in the beginning and darken over time. Look for shredded paper, fabric, or insulation in hidden areas. Inquire about gnaw marks or chewed packages with a professional.
Outdoor rodents like squirrels, voles and gophers are especially destructive. They dig tunnels in lawns, gardens and landscaped areas and kill or displace plants and crops. They can also tear up utility and plumbing lines.
Many people enjoy trapping as a form of recreation, hunting, fishing, or as a cultural tradition and skill. Others may trap for the furs or as a means of providing food to their families. Regardless of motivation, New Hampshire trappers provide a valuable wildlife management and social service at no cost to society. However, the majority of trappers in New Hampshire utilize leghold traps which can cause injuries to non-target species and humans. Leghold traps have been banned or restricted in 85 countries around the world.
Repellents
Rodents like mice and rats cause damage to homes, gardens and food supplies, as well as pose health risks for humans and pets. Many homeowners try to repel rodents by spraying products with pungent scents or using electronic and ultrasonic devices. However, these solutions often don’t provide long-term results and may be unsafe for use around children and pets. Fortunately, there are effective natural rodent repellents that will keep pests away for months.
The strong odors of certain essential oils can deter rodents by disrupting their sense of smell. Popular options include peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil, which can be sprayed or dropped in areas where rodents enter the home. The scents of some herbs and spices also repel rodents. Cayenne pepper, for example, irritates rodents, so sprinkling the spice around entry points can discourage them from entering the home.
Another natural way to deter rodents is by applying diatomaceous earth. The powdered substance, made from fossilized algae, is safe for humans and animals but poisonous to rodents. When ingested, the chemical reacts with the rodent’s stomach acids to block their digestive tract, ultimately leading to dehydration and death.
Soap, such as Irish Spring soap, is a common household item used to repel rodents. The strong-smelling soap deters rodents for a short period of time, but its effectiveness quickly dissipates. Likewise, scented dryer sheets are frequently used to deter rodents, but their effectiveness is also short-lived.
For a more permanent solution, try using an animal repellent such as Bonide’s Rat Magic. The granules are safe for use in the garden and around edible plants, and they work to deter rats, mice, chipmunks and squirrels without harming them. The product arrives ready to use in a shaker bottle and includes enough pellets to cover up to 1000 sq ft of yard or garden space.
Other natural ways to ward off pests include using ammonia spray, which repels rodents with its potent scent. You can also place cotton balls soaked in essential oil, such as peppermint or eucalyptus, near areas where rodents enter the home.
Extermination
Rodents can cause real damage to homes and businesses. They are known to spread diseases and destroy valuable merchandise and equipment. Their droppings, urine, and gnawing can damage structures, contaminate food, and cause fire hazards. Rodents can also trigger allergies and respiratory problems in people.
Indoor rodents like rats and mice can chew through wood, drywall, and insulation, and damage plumbing. They can also gnaw through electrical wiring, increasing the risk of electrical fires. Their urine, feces, and saliva can damage clothing, carpeting, furniture, and stored items.
Outdoor rodents, such as gophers and moles, dig large tunnel systems in lawns and gardens. They can also kill grass, plants, and trees by eating their roots. Some rodents, such as squirrels, eat nuts, seeds, and bulbs.
Our pest control technicians are experienced at providing both residential and commercial pest solutions. We inspect homes and business for conditions that attract rodents, locate entry points, and offer effective treatment to eliminate current infestations and prevent future re-infestations.
We use a combination of traps, bait stations, habitat modification, and exclusion tactics to ensure that we effectively remove rodents and keep them out for good. We also offer affordable year-round recurring rodent prevention to make sure your home remains rodent-free. We can seal up entry points, and help you avoid conditions that attract rodents, such as storing trash and debris in or near your home. We can also advise you on cleaning up yard debris and keeping vegetation away from your roof to help prevent nesting sites for rodents.
Prevention
Rodents are a nuisance in homes and businesses, but their presence also poses significant health risks. Rodents are carriers of numerous diseases that can be transmitted to people via direct contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva; through breathing in contaminated air; or by eating food contaminated with rodent waste. In addition, mice and rats can carry fleas, mites, and ticks that spread further pathogens. The dry feces that rodents leave behind can become airborne, triggering allergies and asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Because rodents are social animals, they seek out human homes for shelter and food. Rodents are able to enter homes through openings as small as the size of a dime, and can quickly become established in houses where food, water, and shelter are available. Once inside a home, rodents cause damage by chewing through wires, walls, and insulation; and they can also contaminate food in kitchens and pantry areas.
Keeping your property free of debris, food scraps, and clutter can help prevent rodents from becoming established. It is also important to regularly inspect and clean seldom-used areas like garages, basements, attics, and storage rooms to limit potential nesting sites and rodent harborage. Repairing leaks promptly can also prevent moisture from attracting rodents.
Routine inspections can help identify early signs of a rodent infestation, such as grease marks or smudges along walls where rats travel; gnaw marks on wood or electric wires; and nocturnal noises heard in walls or ceilings. Rodents breed rapidly, so early intervention is essential to controlling the problem.
Professionals offer effective prevention for rodents, including trapping and baiting, sanitization, and exclusion services. Exclusion services involve identifying and sealing entry points into buildings, repairing any holes or cracks, and installing rodent-proof repairs. In addition, pest control professionals may recommend using predator urine in gardens and around fruit trees to deter rodents. These services can help reduce the risk of disease, property damage, and expensive repair costs caused by rodents. By working together, communities can effectively address rodent problems and keep them from returning in the future. Contact your local pest control company to learn more about preventing rodents from infesting your home or business.