Spencer Pest Services will be operating under the Rocket Pest Control brand going forward. You're still in the right place to schedule pest control services!

Rodents To Watch For

It is well known that cold weather will force ratsmice, and other furry creatures to try to find shelter in homes. But with hurricane season is upon us, you may be wondering if wet weather will do the same? Well, the answer to that question is a resounding yes. Wet weather will cause an increase in wild creatures squeezing their way into basements, attics, crawl spaces, wall voids and more. Even if the weather stays temperate and dry outside, there are other factors that prompt animals to find protection. Predators are one example. Lack of food outside can be another cause. Or perhaps there is just too much activity going on near your home, and these animals prefer a little peace and quiet. Whatever the causes, the four most common rodents that get into homes in our area are mice, Norway rats, roof rats, and gray squirrels.

Mice: These sometimes cute little critters are not so cute when you consider the problems they bring into a home. With their ever growing teeth, they chew everything in sight, from food packages to stored items. But the worst thing they chew on is wires, which can lead to a house fire. They are also carriers of several parasites including lice, mites, fleas, and ticks.

Norway Rats: Also called brown rats or sewer rats, these creatures cause the same problems as mice. And, since they are compulsive groomers, they tend to hang out in filthy, bacteria-laden places and they ingest much of the filth they come in contact with. This means bacteria and diseases are present in their urine and feces.

Roof Rats: In addition to chewing, spreading harmful disease-causing bacteria, and thumping inside the attic, these creatures also carry fleas, mites, lice, and ticks, and are famous for their role in spreading the bubonic plague. This is rare nowadays but every year there are still a few cases in the United States.

Gray Squirrels: These creatures sometimes get into attics and make nests, which they will then fill with baby squirrels. If they are not taken care of quickly, you may find that you have several of these critters coming and going from your home, chewing on everything from insulation to electrical wires, and leaving their urine and feces everywhere they go.

Prevention Tips

To keep these rodents, and many other household pests, outside where they belong, the following steps can help:

  • Seal up all gaps, cracks, and holes found in your foundation and exterior walls and roof area.
  • Trim vegetation back away from your home.
  • Remove water sources from around your home, and in your yard.
  • Remove food sources from your property.
  • Make sure all of your garbage is kept inside or in trash cans with tightly-fitting lids.
  • Keep your yard neatly trimmed and free of excess clutter where rodents can hide.
  • Keep the interior of your home clean and free of food and water sources.

If you’re in our South Carolina service area and you’re seeing any of the rodents listed above, call Spencer Pest Services for rodent control services you can count on. Life is better when wild animals stay outside, where they belong.

 
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