How to Keep Mice Out of Your House This Winter
As winter approaches, the colder temperatures can drive mice to seek warmth and food inside homes. These small, persistent creatures are not only a nuisance but can also pose health risks and cause damage to your property. To prevent mice from invading your home this season, it’s essential to take proactive measures that address potential entry points and eliminate food sources. In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to keep mice out of your house during the winter months.
Seal Points of Entry
One of the most effective ways to keep mice out of your house this winter is by sealing any potential points of entry. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, so inspecting your home’s exterior and interior for gaps, cracks, or holes is crucial.
Start by examining areas around windows, doors, vents, and gaps in the foundation, roofline, and utility pipes. Steel wool or wire mesh can be used to block holes and seal gaps with caulk or expanding foam. Install door sweeps and ensure that windows and vents close tightly. Securing these entry points can greatly reduce the chances of mice finding their way indoors.
Store Your Goodies
Properly storing food prevents mice from being attracted to your home during winter. Mice are constantly searching for easy food sources, so it’s important to store pantry items in airtight containers made of glass or heavy plastic. Avoid leaving food on counters or open containers, as even small crumbs can entice mice.
Pet food should be kept in sealed containers and stored in areas less accessible to rodents. Additionally, promptly clean up spills and crumbs and regularly check for any signs of infestation. By taking these steps, you eliminate potential food sources and discourage mice from entering your home.
Remove the Clutter
Mice thrive in cluttered spaces where they can hide and build nests, so removing unnecessary items is essential in keeping them away. Start by decluttering basements, attics, and garages; these areas are common rodent hiding spots. Store boxes, clothing, and other items off the floor and away from walls to reduce hiding places.
Outside, clear away piles of leaves, firewood, and other debris near the foundation, as these can also attract mice. Eliminating clutter makes your home less inviting to rodents and limits their potential nesting sites.
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
Our expert rodent control services are designed to identify and seal potential entry points, remove attractants, and provide ongoing solutions to keep your home rodent-free. With years of experience and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Absolut Pest Control offers tailored strategies that address your needs, ensuring your home remains secure and free from unwanted guests. Get your free estimate today by calling (978)388-4589 or filling out our contact form!
New England’s Most Commonly Found Pests: Mice and Rats
You may try to create a welcoming home, but there are two types of guests that you want to stay away. You guessed it. Mice and rats. And here’s the bad news—the rat and mouse population is rising from coast to coast. So, if you have a problem with these vermin, know that you are not alone. But what do you do? How do you keep mice and rats away? It starts with understanding the different types and what is attracting them to your home in the first place. Because remember, where there is food and space to play, the rats and mice will stay. The list of mice and rat species in New England is extensive, so watch out for these most commonly found pests around your home.
House Mice
House mice are one of the most common species inside homes. They are small and adaptable and can survive on crumbs, grains, and pet food, so be sure not to leave anything accessible unattended. These mice are excellent climbers, making them difficult to keep out. Be sure to barricade entry points around doors, windows, and your home’s foundation to reduce their likeliness of venturing in.
Field Mice
Field mice are commonly found in meadows, forests, grassy areas, and any wooded domain but are primarily known to venture into homes, particularly in the year’s colder months, for warmth. These mice snack on seeds, berries, insects, and anything small that they can get their paws on. To reduce the risk of their entry and a critical infestation, focus on sealing up any small cracks in your home and clearing away vegetation close to your house to limit their access points.
White-footed Deer Mice
For obvious reasons, white-footed deer mice are named for their white feet and dark fur and are primarily nocturnal. They are known to be found in wooded or brushy areas but can also be found sneaking into garages, sheds, or attics through tiny openings late at night. The mice appetize on seeds, nuts, insects, berries, and fungi. Stay on your toes because these mice may carry diseases, making it critical to keep them out by trimming trees or bushes and removing food sources, like pet food or birdseed, from outdoor areas for safety precautions.
Eastern Mice
Eastern mice are primarily found throughout New Hampshire and are typically found in forests, agricultural lands, and open fields. However, as temperatures drop, they may look for warmth in your basement or attic. They eat a simple diet of seeds, grains, and fruits, so make sure that you store food properly in sealed containers and keep storage areas clean to avoid any attraction from these hungry rodents.
Brown Rats (Norway Rats)
Also known as the Norway rat, brown rats have a life expectancy of two years and are found in the most populated areas in the world, especially New England. They are often found in basements, crawl spaces, and sewers and feed on garbage and stored food, making them persistent pests. They have a reputation for damaging property, making them one of the most despised rodents around. To avoid brown rats, maintain a clean environment, secure your trash, and eliminate any standing water around your home to limit their food and water sources.
Black Rats (Roof Rats)
Black or roof rats are climbers that prefer moist and higher grounds. Similar to Norway rats, they can be found in attics, roofs, and trees. When they are not high up on roofs, they can be found in gardens feasting on fruits, vegetables, and grains. To avoid the risk of these rats taking up residence, plant trees away from your house, store food securely, and regularly inspect your roof for openings.
Call Absolut Pest Control
Are you worried about mice and rat infestations in your Massachusetts and New Hampshire homes? Absolut Pest Control offers the best pest removal and extermination services in New England at affordable prices. Make your rodent problem our rodent problem! Call (978) 388-4589 today or fill out our contact form on our website!
Tips On Pest-Proofing Your Home For The New England Winter
The cold wintertime in New England can drive a wide range of pests into your home that are seeking shelter. Some of the most common winter pests in New England and the surrounding regions are rodents, carpenter ants, cockroaches, stink bugs, ladybugs, bed bugs, earwigs, and more. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how you can prepare your home for the wintertime in order to prevent pest infestations from rodents, insects, and more! If you have any questions about pest prevention or are currently experiencing a problem with any kind of pest at your northeastern Massachusetts or southern New Hampshire home, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today for a free pest control estimate!
Seal Gaps & Cracks Around The Exterior Of Your Home
One of the best ways to prevent rodent and insect infestations in your home during the wintertime is to ensure that these pests can never enter the house in the first place! To do this, you should perform a thorough inspection of your house’s foundation, doors, windows, and siding. If you notice any cracks or gaps anywhere on the exterior of your home, you should be sure to seal them up in order to prevent pests from entering through them. Even if the crack or gap seems insignificant, they should still be sealed, as adult mice can squeeze through spaces that are only about the size of a dime. In order to seal off cracks and gaps, you can use screens, caulking, spray foam, steel wool, and more.
Landscaping Around Your House
Another great way to prevent pest infestations during the wintertime is to keep up with the landscaping around the exterior of your house. You should be sure that any tree branches around your house are trimmed back to at least 10 feet from your roof, as they can act as a bridge for insects and rodents. Additionally, piles of firewood should be placed at least 5 feet from your home’s walls, as pests living in these stacks could otherwise gain easier entry into your house. Finally, be sure to properly deal with the leaves that fall from the trees around your house, as pests often live and hide underneath debris. Rake your yard regularly to keep up with leaves and clean out your gutters!
Properly Dispose Of Garbage
One more way to prevent pest infestations this winter is to be vigilant about the way you store and dispose of your trash. Improper garbage storage is one of the most surefire ways to attract pests to your home, especially during the wintertime when pests’ typical food sources are more scarce. Be sure that your trash and recycling bins have tight fitting lids that are being utilized while the trash is still in your home and while it’s on the curb awaiting pickup, as rodents and small mammals like raccoons may try to break into your trash cans to find an easy meal. You should also be sure to regularly clean your trash cabinets in order to pick up any spills and crumbs that may be attracting ants, mice, and other pests!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about preventing pest infestations in the wintertime or are currently experiencing a pest problem at your Massachusetts or New Hampshire home, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control! We provide home and business owners in the region with a wide range of pest removal & extermination services at affordable prices! Contact us today to get a free estimate by giving us a call at (978) 388-4589 or by filling out the contact form on our website!
What Diseases Do Mice Carry & Spread?
Mice are the most common rodents to enter residences and cause problems for the people that live there, making them a nuisance for homeowners throughout the United States. In addition to property damage that mice can cause by chewing through wood, drywall, wiring, and more, these little rodents can spread a wide range of diseases that can be harmful to you, your family, and your pets! In this article, we’ll talk about some of the diseases that mice carry and can spread to you when they are living in your home! If you are a Massachusetts or New Hampshire homeowner that is currently struggling with a rodent infestation, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today for a free extermination estimate!
Hantaviruses
One of the most common types of diseases that mice carry and spread are hantaviruses. Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that are spread primarily by rodents in the US, specifically by deer mice, white-footed mice, cotton rats, and rice rats. Hantaviruses are commonly spread to people when they are in the presence of rodent dropping and urine. Some common symptoms of hantaviruses include headaches, fevers, and muscle pain. If hantaviruses are left untreated, they can lead to other serious health problems.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is a bacterial disease caused by the ingestion of a bacteria called salmonella. While salmonellosis is best known for being caused by eating raw chicken, it can also be caused by eating foods that have been contaminated by rodent feces. When mice get into the food storage in your home, your family is at risk for being exposed to salmonella. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and other flu-like symptoms.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is spread through the urine of infected animals, like mice. When a mouse that carries the leptospira bacteria urinates in your water or food supply, the disease can be spread to you. Leptospirosis symptoms include fevers, headaches, chills, vomiting, abdominal pains, and more.
Rat Bite Fever
Rat bite fever is a disease caused by consuming food or water that has been contaminated with streptobacillus moniliformis, a bacteria that is carried by mice, rats, and other rodents. As the name would suggest, rat bite fever can also be caused by bites or scratches from rodents that carry the disease. Rat bite fever typically causes a red, bumpy rash on the hands and feet.
Contact Absolut Pest Control
If you have any questions about mice, the diseases they carry, or believe that you have an infestation in your Massachusetts or New Hampshire home, please contact Absolut Pest Control! We provide various pest removal & extermination services at affordable prices throughout the region! Contact us today by giving us a call at (978) 388-4589 or by filling out the contact form on our website!
Tips On Keeping Rodents Away From Your Boston Area Home
If you’re having rat or other rodent problems at your Greater Boston area home or building, you’re not alone! According to WBUR, rat and rodent complaints are up 48% from 2019 to 2021, according to the city of Boston’s 311 data. For this reason, cities, towns, and homeowners are scrambling to find an effective solution for the rodent problems that are affecting their residents. In this article, we’ll go over some tips & tricks on how you can keep rodents away from your home this fall and winter!
Seal & Secure Your Garbage
One of the primary reasons that rats, mice, and other rodents will be on your property is that they have access to trash and food scraps. In order to prevent this, you should make sure that all your trash is stored in tightly sealed trash bins, whether it be on the curb or in your home. Additionally, you should be vigilant about eliminating other food sources that may attract rodents by storing food in air-tight containers, rodent-proofing your garden, picking up any fruit in your yard that has fallen from trees, and avoiding bird feeders.
Seal All Cracks Or Holes In Your Home
Did you know that rodents can squeeze through cracks and holes that are only the size of a dime? These minuscule holes & cracks are one of the primary ways that a rodent can enter your home. To prevent this, be sure to seal any cracks or holes in your home that are larger than a dime or gaps under doors that are greater than a quarter inch. Additionally, you should replace loose mortar, weather stripping, and damaged screens around the foundation of your home and windows. Sealing off your home to rodents is especially important during the fall & winter when rodents are looking for a warm place to shelter during the colder months!
Stay Clean & Organized
Mice, rats, and other rodents love a messy home! Be sure to clean surfaces regularly, especially in your kitchen and dining areas. Additionally, you should always store food in organized, sealed containers. Clutter in your home can allow rodents to move through your home undetected and may prevent you from noticing evidence of an infestation!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
The best way to solve & prevent rodent infestations is to hire a local pest control professional! Absolut Pest Control provides the Greater Boston region with pest control & removal services for a wide variety of pests, including mice, rats, other rodents, insects, bats, birds, termites, small mammals, and much more! Give us a call today at (978) 388-4589 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Tips On Removing Rodents From Your Home
If you suspect, or know, that rodents have taken up residence in your home, Absolut Pest Control has some tips on what you can do to evict them! While the summer is still raging on, rodents like mice, rats, and squirrels will begin coming into homes soon to ensure they will be protected in the winter.
How Do I Know If There Are Rodents In My House?
If you think your home may have a rodent problem, there are a few tell-tale signs you can look for. One clear indicator that mice are in your home is by looking for their droppings. These droppings look like dark grains of rice, and can be found in basements, attics, crawl spaces, and anywhere else the rodents may be nesting out of your site. Another way to tell if a mouse or rodent is living in your home is by looking for their nests. These usually look like a small pile or gathering of scrap materials, like cloth, wood chips, paper, straw, or grass. Nests are generally only about 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Each female mouse can have a litter of 5 to 12 babies, and will not stop breeding until they are exterminated or removed from your home. One more way to recognize rodents in your home is by paying attention to scratching noises in your walls or ceilings. While older homes often make noises on their own, like the old saying of “a house settling”, it should be pretty easy to tell when the source of the noise is a pesky rodent.
How Can I Remove Rodents From My Home?
The easiest and most effective way to be sure your home is rodent-free once again is by calling a professional exterminator, like Absolut Pest Control. Rodents are some of the most common pest control problems that we see, so our team of experts is well versed in getting rid of them once and for all. Give our Emergency Hotline a call at (978) 388-4589 to have your rodent problem dealt with anytime, day or night. The next best way to deal with rodent problems is by using store bought traps. Your best bet is to lay down traps in areas that you suspect the rodents are often in. For example, in a basement or attic that you’ve found droppings or a nest in, a hole in the wall, or a pantry.
Contact Absolut Pest Control
For help with rodent problems or any other pest control issues in Massachusetts or southern New Hampshire, contact Absolut Pest Control by giving us a call at (978) 388-4589 or by filling out the contact form on our website!
How To Keep Squirrels Off Your Property
Although many of us find squirrels to be one of the cuter rodents, they are still dangerous and can become a real problem. While you may not mind a squirrel scampering across a public park or out in the woods when they are in your yard, they can lead to the destruction of property, bite/scratch your pets, and they can even transmit rabies. Here are a few ways you can keep squirrels away from your home.
Do Not Feed Squirrels
This should go without saying, but if you provide a steady source of food for local pests/rodents, they will keep coming back. Any food found outside your property is likely to attract pests. This is why it is recommended to not leave food out for stray cats or other animals. Make sure to secure your garbage so it can’t be broken into by raccoons or squirrels. And consider getting read of that birdfeeder. As fun as it is to watch birds fly close to your home, bird feeders attract many different animals that you might be less excited to see out your window.
Clean Your Garden/Yard Frequently
Raking your yard can help you remove twigs and sticks, but more importantly, it can help remove any fallen fruit, nuts, or seeds. Squirrels are looking for yards that have trees, bushes, and other plants that provide a steady source of food for them. Protect your personal garden otherwise animals might enjoy your tomatoes, zucchini, and garden vegetables before you can.
Scare Squirrels & Racoons with Your Dog
Aside from removing what draws squirrels and raccoons to your home, there are also deterrents you can employ. If a squirrel has to choose between the home with an open trash can and no pets or the one with the open trash can and the scary dog it will choose the former. Outdoor dogs and cats are an effective way to keep rodents away from your home. If you do not have a pet, faux-owl decorations can convince your local squirrels that there is a dangerous predator in that yard.
Use Capsaicin or Another Repellent
There are a few repellents you can use to deter squirrels and other rodents from your yard Capsaicin for example can be used on nuts and seeds to deter squirrels from eating in your yard. Additionally, planting mint leaves around your garden can deter squirrels. Make sure not to apply Capsaicin to any vegetables or plants you plan to consume.
Hire Pest Control
If squirrels have already made your home their home it may be difficult to get them to leave. Local pest control services may need to be called to get squirrels off of your property, this is especially true if they have moved indoors. Removing pests can be dangerous as animals backed into a corner can become very violent. At Absolut Pest Control we service the Amesbury and Boston Massachusetts areas with our pest control services.
What Foods Attract Mice & Rats
No one wants mice or rats in their home. You especially don’t want these rodents in your office or other business as they can be a public health concern. Regular pest control can help you deal with rodents once they appear, but at Absolut Pest Control, we recommend that homeowners and business owners prevent pests from even entering the property in the first place. From making sure that there are no holes in your siding, roofing, and property perimeter to using pest deterrents there are many ways to prevent pest infestation. One thing every property owner should do is limit the amount of food that is available for pests.
Pet Food & Rodent Control
If you leave pet food out either inside or outside of your home, it can attract other animals. Rats and rodents love pet food as it is easily accessible since it is usually on the floor. Additionally many pet foods for dogs and cats have strong odors that can draw in rats and mice. To avoid this it is important to clean up after your pets at night and not leave dog food or cat food sitting out for long periods of time.
Snack Food & Crumbs
Another common accidental treat left for rodents are the crumbs that are created from snacks. Many families do not leave too many crumbs on the table during the main meals during the day. Plates are usually collected and cleaned, and it is rare for there to be a large mess left behind. But snack foods are often eaten without plate or bowl and kids and teens will frequently leave open bags of chips in their rooms or not notice when pieces of popcorn fall out of their hands onto the floor. This food debris can add up quickly and attract a variety of pests as well as give pests reasons to stay. It is recommended that when you and your family snack that you use a plate to avoid making a mess. Additionally, regular vacuuming of your home can get rid of excess crumbs.
Unwashed Dishes & Trash Bags
Even with a clean home, rodents can still find meals in your home. If it is possible for rodents to get into your trash or if you leave food in the sink on plates and dishes, rodents will be happy to scavenge for their meals there. Additionally, flies and ants can also increase if the sink is not regularly cleaned out. Although no one loves doing dishes or taking out the trash, they are important chores to prevent pest infestation. Making trash inaccessible to rodents can prevent them from choosing your home as their new home.
Get Pest Control Services in Massachusetts
Absolut Pest Control provides pest control services to homes and businesses throughout the Greater Boston area. For pest inspection or pest control services please contact our team.
How To Tell Between Rats & Mice
Whether you see it crawl across the floor or hear it in the walls, rodents can be a real problem. Not only do many people rightfully dislike rodents, but rodents can both carry disease, bite you and your pets, and destroy property. In New England, rodents usually migrate into homes before the winter begins. They look for homes that have easy entrance and exit points (potentially due to issues with siding, gutters, roofing, etc). They also look for homes that are warm and have access to food. Understanding what type of rodent you have can affect what pest control methods you attempt to get rid of the rodent.
Differences Between Rats & Mice
Often times the most common mistake made between rats and mice is between a small rat or an adult mouse. Many homeowners or business owners assume that the only key detail between rats and mice is their body size. And this can cause confusion as young rats can be smaller than adult mice. Pest control experts can use many different factors to tell the difference. Here are a few defining characteristics between rats and mice.
- Size: Although size can be confusing when dealing with rats and mice of different ages it is a defining characteristic in adult rodents. Rats can grow to 18 inches (or a foot and half) in length, while adult mice generally stop growing past 8 inches. If the rodent is larger than 8 inches, it is likely a rat.
- Tails: Mice generally have thin hairy tails. Rats on the other hand have thicker and hairless tails.
- Nose: A mouse’s head and nose is usually triangular in shape and comes to a point. Meanwhile, a rat has a more square or blunted nose shape.
- Fur Color: Although mice and rats can be grey or brown, black fur usually indicates a rat.
- Droppings: Many of these features require you to see the rodent. Which might not be possible. However, you can examine droppings to determine what type of rodent you have. Mice droppings usually have pointed ends and are about a quarter-inch long. Rat droppings have flat ends and are 3/4 inches long.
Contact Absolut Pest Control
Understanding what type of rodent is in your home can impact how you handle pest control. Many storebought mousetraps may be ineffective against rats or even larger mice. If you have tried to use traps and still deal with rodents, you should consider calling pest control. Absolut Pest Control serves homeowners throughout Massachusetts. Contact us today for more information.
Pest Control Services During COVID19
With the recent COVID19 outbreak in America, non-essential businesses have closed throughout Massachusetts as per a recent message from Governor Charlie Baker. A large majority of the workforce is working from home. During this extended time at home, pest control services are an important consideration every homeowner and business owner should think about.
Pest Control For Closing Businesses
When a building is uninhabited for an extended duration of time (i.e. vacation or a seasonal business closing) there can be issues with pests. Both rodents and insects are more likely to infest an unoccupied building compared to an occupied one. If you are switching to a work from home schedule and will be leaving your office building unattended consider hiring a pest control service to make routine checks or to provide preventative maintenance tips. This is especially true for restaurants and other food services. With so many restaurants closing throughout Boston and Massachusetts, it is important to take time to secure all non-perishable foods and properly dispose of perishable foods. The team at Absolut Pest Control can help make recommendations to shore up your security while you are gone. We provide preventative pest control services where we will inspect a building for any potential weaknesses that may lead to pest problems in the future.
Pest Control For Work From Home Families
As more and more workers adjust to work from home life, it becomes more important to make sure that you take proper pest control precautions. Spring is upon us, and like many seasonal changes, this brings unique pest problems. Beehives, wasps, yellow jackets, mosquitos, and other pests will become more prevalent. Many homeowners will also have to deal with nesting birds or rodents around their property. If you need pest control services, the team at Absolut Pest Control can help. Our team of licensed pest control professionals can provide you with pest solutions and help remove any hives or nests from the outside of your property. Just give us a call, and a member of our team can help.
Questions? Send us a message!
During this COVID19 outbreak, we are getting many questions from homeowners about our pest control services. If you have a question about any of our pest control solutions, send us a message. We would love to help you with any pest problem you are having on your property. We also offer general pest inspections for apartment buildings and office buildings that may need extra protection this season.