You don't have to worry about rodents in winter, right? They're all tucked away in their holes, sleeping the winter away in hibernation, aren't they? We have some bad news for you. Rodents don't hibernate. They can be active all through the winter. But that doesn't mean they like the cold. If a rodent explores your exterior and senses heat coming out, they may be motivated to chew their way inside and find out where all that wonderful warmth is coming from. When they do, they're not likely to leave. Your home has everything a rodent could ever want: food, water and a safe place to sleep. Let's look at a few reasons you should watch for signs of a rodent infestation.
Problems Rodents Cause
Should you be concerned about rats getting into your home? Are mice dangerous? Mice and rats can be serious problems and they present many threats because they can move about your entire home spreading harmful bacteria, parasitic worms, ticks and other ectoparasites, as well as human pathogens. They are a threat to your property because they chew holes in your home and may damage the belongings inside your home. Mice and rats also chew on wiring and this can cause a fire. When you detect rodents inside your home, you should take immediate action to have them removed.
Rodent Detection
There are many ways to tell if your home has rodents in it. Some are easy to find and some are not so easy. Here are a few easy ways to detect rodents:
- Look for rodent droppings in the common areas they leave droppings, such as underneath sinks and tubs and in cellars and attic spaces. Rodents frequent areas that are high in humidity, dark and isolated.
- Look for nests in attic spaces. These might be easily seen on top of insulation or in the recesses between rafters. Keep in mind that nests can be hidden under insulation, inside stored furniture and boxes, in the void above drop-down ceilings and inside your wall voids.
- Look for holes chewed in food packages, baseboards or sheetrock. As rodents move about your home, they chew on many things. These holes may be annoying, but they can be important warning signs that you're being exposed to rodent threats.
- Look for grease or dirt marks on baseboards. Mice and rats climb in dumpsters, trash cans, sewers and greasy, dirty places in your home. When they run around in your home, they prefer to keep one side touching a wall, and the filth from their fur rubs off.
- Listen for noises. Sometimes rats and mice make noises inside your walls as they move from floor to floor.
- Watch your pets. If your dog or cat starts acting funny, it might be because they can hear or smell something you can't, like rodents in your kitchen or bathroom.
Rodent Control
Okay. You've found rodents. Now what? What is the fastest way to get rid of mice and rats?
The best course of action is to reach out to the rodent control experts at Big Blue Bug Solutions. We don't just take care of the bugs that bug you. We also deal with the rodents that bug you. Our team uses field-tested products and strategies to monitor for rodent activity, trap rodents and apply rodent management around your home to prevent new infestations from taking root. With over 80 years of pest control experience, we have the professionalism to give you the effective service you deserve.
Don't spend the winter with rodents. When you detect rodent activity in your Providence home, reach out to Big Blue Bug Solutions. We take care of what's bugging you—even if it isn't bugs! Get the results you're looking for with Big Blue.