Pest Control Tips For Mice and Rodents This Fall
It’s fall, which means the return of pumpkin-spiced everything, raking leaves, and Halloween. Many families and businesses will decorate their homes and offices with fake spiders, rats, and other scary animals. And as long as they are plastic, they are fine. But if you notice pests that aren’t decorations or pets in your home, you are going to want to get rid of them. Fall is a key point in pest control because it is around this time that large pests like rodents try to move into homes for shelter. Rodents carry disease and can destroy your property which is why homeowners and business owners are so passionate about getting rid of them. Here are a few tips to keep rodents out of your home this fall.
Take Preventative Actions for Rodent Control
The first thing you should do is take preventative action. When you have a weekend of a few days to work on your home, you will want to inspect the home both inside and out to find entrances for rodents. Check around windows and doors for any gaps. Use weatherstripping to cover these areas. Next, you will want to inspect the area around your siding. If you have vinyl siding or wood siding you need to check for cracks and other damage that may have been caused due to high winds and storms. You will need to seal any cracks with caulk to minimize entry points for pests. Not only will this protect your home from rodents, but it will also protect your home from insects and will decrease your heating bill by stopping warm air from escaping.
Know The Signs of Mice & Rats
If rodents enter your home you will want to know it right away before they cause extensive damage. There are many signs of rodents you may notice before you actually see one run across the floor. Be on the lookout for mouse droppings, gnawed holes, shredded paper, or sounds of mice in the walls and ceiling. If you think you have a rodent in your home, the next step is to either get traps or hire a pest control expert.
Should You Get Pest Control or Traps?
Although traps are often less expensive than hiring pest control, any homeowner or business owner knows that not all traps work. Traps that used to work can also fail to work in the future as rodents adapt over time. If your traps aren’t working, the best way to get rid of a rodent problem is to hire the professionals.
Contact Absolut Pest Control
If you need pest control services, you need to call Absolute Pest Control. Our team works throughout Massachusetts to provide pest control solutions to commercial and residential clients. Contact us online to set up an appointment.
3 Different Methods To Get Rid Of Rodents
It starts with the sounds of scuttering feet in the walls and ceiling. And a black or brown blur of speed across the floor when you go to the bathroom at night. Suddenly, it isn’t a question of “if you have mice,” but “how many mice are there,” and “can mice climb into beds”? (Yes, yes they can). Now you have mice in your apartment, eating your food, trashing your furniture, and not paying rent. The most important question becomes “how do you get rid of the mice”? There are thousands of traps, superstitions, old wive’s tales, and “how to get rid of mice” blogs on the internet (including this one).
All-Natural & Humane Methods
The myth that the only way to take care of pests is to exterminate them is very pervasive. In reality, a lot of humane methods can be effective for small pest control jobs. If you are trying to persuade one or two mice to try the apartment down the street instead, there are a few ways you can accomplish this. If you want to pursue the humane method, start by being proactive. Limit entry points by block holes, keep your food stored in airtight containers, and use natural repellents to keep away mice. Peppermint has been found to be the most effective scent deterrent.
If you already have a mouse, do your research on non-lethal traps. There are many reasons to avoid using rat poison beyond just wanting to be humane, especially if you have pets and children. Look for traps that provide minimal harm to mice and make sure to check your traps regularly to avoid starving a mouse to death.
Traditional Traps
Of course, you may decide to use more traditional traps. In some cases, there are mouse traps that are designed to kill a mouse while minimizing potential suffering. Depending on your conscious, it might be worth investing in these traps. Cats provide a natural deterrent to mice, both because their natural smell is something rodents have evolved to fear, and because cats have a natural ability to dispose of mice (although don’t be surprised if your cat parades around their kill like a trophy).
When to Hire a Professional
In fairness, we are a bit biased here (this a professional pest control blog after all). But seriously, there are two times you absolutely need to call professional help. First, if nothing else is working and you have tried all the DIY methods. Second, if the word infestation is the best description of your situation. Whether your home or property needs to be fumigated or there is a single rodent that is the bane of your existence, it helps to get professionals involved. Not only can professional pest controllers remove mice, rats, bats, and other problematic pests, professionals can find and assess root problems. Pest controllers can give professional recommendations on how to keep pests out. From better food storage to needed construction to limit entry points.
If you have a mouse or other pest control problem, call us at Absolut Pest Control. We also provide evaluations of your property to help prevent any future infestations.
Ward Off Pests with Some Spring Cleaning Tips
While spring has technically arrived, the weather is still quite wintery. But, the weather conditions will soon improve and that means we’re getting ever closer to the big spring clean up once winter makes its full exit. While some may roll their eyes or groan about spring cleaning, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s highly effective. After all, winter can be a brutal season, especially on the east coast. Taking stock of your home in the spring can help you spot areas in dire need of attention, areas that if left ignored could allow pests into your home. If you want to maintain a pest free home this spring, give the following areas of your home some love during spring clean-up
Bathroom
One should not have to worry about pests in their bathroom, period. But, if you have moisture issues in your bathroom, you may encounter silverfish or cockroaches, both spring pests, during your morning shower. Since both pests are attracted to moisture, be sure to eliminate open sources of water in the bathroom. Be sure to clean out your medicine cabinet, inspect the bathroom for any leaking moisture from pipes or faucets, and wash your shower curtain and liner.
Kitchen
Nicer weather brings the ants right on out. The first place they’re likely going to invade if they get into your home is your kitchen since it provides ample access to both food and water sources. They will crawl throughout your kitchen in search of crumbs, residue from liquid spills, and overripe fruit left sitting out on the counter. Keeping a consistently clean kitchen is tantamount to keeping pests at a minimum, but there are a few more things you can do to help. Clean out your cabinets and remove old food items, like spices and flour. Those ingredients can attract beetles and ants. Once you’ve cleaned out your cabinets, wipe down the insides for good measure. You can also pull out your appliances and clean behind them, as you’d be amazed at how much is actually back there. Giving your kitchen a good scrub down isn’t a bad idea, either.
Basement
Your basement can be a popular place for spiders and rodents to camp out in, especially because there are corners and clutter they can hide amongst. Going through items in your basement and getting rid of things you don’t need can negate this, as it will provide fewer hiding places. When storing items, don’t use cardboard boxes because they can wear down over time and allow pests access to their contents. Instead, use sturdy plastic bins with secure lids. If you happen to notice any cracks or crevices that give you pause, seal them up with caulk to provide pests with one less access area to your home. You’d be surprised at just how small an opening has to be for critters to get through.
Spring cleaning shouldn’t just be a quick clean up. Spring cleaning doesn’t only get your house ready for spring either, but for summer too. By giving your home a solid inspection, particularly in the areas listed above, you’ll be ensuring strong pest protection for months to come. If you begin experiencing a persistent issue, please get in touch with us. You can reach us at 978-388-4589 or by filling out an online contact form.
Mouse Proofing Your Home This Winter
The winter season and the frigid temperatures that come along with it can make it unsavory to stay outside for long periods of time. Much to your dismay, that also means critters will try and make their way into your home. After all, they need somewhere warm to hunker down too. Mice, in particular, can be a real nuisance for some homeowners. While mice may be cute, they can cause some real damage to your home. Let’s go over a few ways you can mouse-proof your home this winter season…
Store All Foods, Even Your Pet’s
First and foremost, you’re going to need to make sure you’re not providing the mice with a readily available food source. This means keeping your countertops and other surfaces spick and span while ensuring all your other foods are sealed in containers and stored away. It can be easy to overlook your pet’s food during this process, so don’t. Food for your dog or cat is a real draw for mice, so remember to seal and store away your animal’s sustenance as well.
Utilize a Brush Strip
A neat trick for preventing rodents is installing a brush strip to all exterior doors. This way, small gaps at the base (common in older doors) will be blocked off, thus giving mice fewer entry points to your home. Not only are brush strips easy to install, especially the ones with adhesive strips, but they can also help prevent your home’s heat from seeping out through the gaps in the door during the cold months! It’s a win-win.
Elevate Firewood
If you’re big on having fires during the winter, listen up. Your wood pile outside is a fan favorite among our rodent friends. These piles are typical hangouts for mice, which means you should elevate your log pile 18 inches off the ground at the minimum. Not only will this make it much tougher for mice to nestle in amongst the cut wood, but it’ll also keep you from having to completely dig out your wood when it snows!
These are just a couple ways you can go about making your home non-rodent friendly this winter. We’ve still got plenty of cold times ahead of us, so it’s not too late to implement our tips. If you can’t seem to shake your mouse problem, get in touch with us. Fill out our online contact form!
Preventing Mice Infestations
Mice in The Home
When the temperature outside begins to drop in the fall, infestations of rodents and mice tend to begin. If you hear noises in the walls or spot rodent droppings on the floor, this could mean that you a mouse infestation. Due to how small mice are, they can easily get into homes by entering through cracks, holes, floors, and foundations. Check out some helpful tips to make sure mice don’t ruin your home for the holidays.
- To prevent mice from coming into your home all cr
acks, openings and holes should be sealed properly. - If you spot mice in your home, one of the first steps you can do is setting up mousetraps. Using a mousetrap is a safe and efficient way because they will kill them instead of poisoning it.
- Go through the house and remove clutter areas like piles of clothing or old cardboard boxes that could make it easy for mice to build a nest.
- Your house should always be clean and tidy, make sure you are washing the floors and vacuuming the carpets to avoid food from collecting and attracting mice.
The most efficient method of removing mice from homes is by contact a trained pest control professional. If you notice mice lurking around your home, contact Absolut Pest Control today at 978.388.4589 or fill out our contact form online.