Winter Rodent Control Checklist

How to implement rodent control for your winter home in Atlanta GA - Active Pest ControlMany people think pest problems only occur in the summer, but rodent infestations are very common in the winter! According to The National Pest Management Association (NPMA), 21 million homes in the U.S. are invaded by rodents each winter. As temperatures drop, rats and mice will look to make their way indoors for warmth and shelter. To avoid the diseases and destruction brought from rodent infestations, it’s important to implement rodent control into your home each year. Keep reading for Active Pest Control’s top tips for rats and mice prevention in the winter.

Do Rats & Mice Hibernate?

While some animals—certain rodents included—hibernate during the colder months, rats and mice stay active throughout the winter. Because they remain active in these months, they are even more compelled to enter homes to escape the cold outdoors. Once inside, they will nest and spread. In addition to their destructive gnawing and tunneling, rat droppings are capable of spreading disease. Because rodent infestations are so common in the winter, it’s essential to protect your home from them.

8-Point Rodent-Proofing Checklist

Winter Rodent Control Checklist - Active Pest Control in GeorgiaThere are eight spots in particular around your property that are vulnerable to rodent intrusions. By routinely checking the following areas, you can locate where rats and mice may attempt to make their way indoors. It’s important to make any repairs promptly and, in general, keep a tidy home and yard to prevent rodents. The eight main locations to check and make repairs include:

  • Roof
  • Vents
  • Screens
  • Vegetation
  • Gutters
  • Outside
  • Garage
  • Foundation

 

Winter Rodent Prevention

If after reviewing our 8-point checklist, you discover areas of your home needing repair, or more specifically, areas showing definite pest activity, the experts at Active Pest Control can help. We specialize in preventing pest problems before they begin, which is why we can help implement rodent control for your home for the winter. To learn more about protecting your home from rats and mice, give our team a call today!

What Pests Will You See This Spring?

There are a lot of bugs and wild animals that can become pests here in Macon, Georgia. Spring is a particularly active time for a wide range of creatures and, with the mild winter we just had, we can expect even more activity this year. Here are a few of the pests you should be looking for and what measures work best to keep them in check.

Ants

There are quite a few species of ant in Georgia. Some sting. Some spread harmful bacteria. Some get into our homes and chew away at our equity. And some are just an irritating nuisance. Regardless of what ants you have, effective control begins with identifying the type of ant and selecting a bait those ants will take back to their colonies. The professionals here at Active Pest Control also track those ants down to determine the best location to place the bait. An improper placement of baits is just as ineffective as selection the wrong type of bait for the ants being targeted.

Cockroaches

While these dirty insects can infest Macon homes any time of the year, spring is when new infestations begin to occur. We probably don’t have to tell you that cockroaches are bad to have around. They can spread harmful bacteria, carry pathogens, and exacerbate asthmatic symptoms when they infest. The solution to these pests is a combination of proper sanitation, exterior protection, and a targeted and limited application of EPA approved pesticides.

Rodents

In spring, mice and rats really start to make themselves noticed. If you’re hearing bumping and thumping in your walls, or you’re finding droppings in the back of your silverware drawer, it is time to call a pest professional. Laying down traps and removing dead mice does not address the systemic problem of rodents. The speed at which these animals reproduce and the stealthy way they infest makes it extremely hard to know if you’ve gotten rid of all the infesting rodents. It is also vital to seal the entry points these creatures are using to come and go from your home.

Termites

This is the time of year to keep a wary eye out for termite swarmers. If you see tiny black insects with long white wings, take immediate action. No pests can eat you out of house and home faster than a termite.

For more information about spring pests, or for assistance with pest control, give us a call. The experts here at Active Pest Control are looking forward to serving you.

Rodents Are A Fall Concern In Tennessee

Even though we don’t get much in the way of snowfall here in Tennessee (except in the mountains), there is no denying that temperatures are cooling off and winter is at hand. Most of the hard work of fall is completed by now; the pool is drained, the pump stored and the cover on. The patio set is covered or tucked away in the back of the garage, the oil tank is full, and the winter wipers are on the car. The crops have been harvested and the fall bulbs planted. Yup, all of our preparation for winter is behind us! What a great feeling!

Did you know that while you were hustling and bustling in your fall fervor trying to get that huge list accomplished before the weather turned cold, that there was a little someone working even harder than you were in order to prepare for winter. That’s right! Rodents, like mice, are scurrying to and fro frantically searching for their winter abode before the cold sets in. These smart little creatures know that winter is fast approaching and that hiding under a rock or in an old stump is definitely not the most comfortable accommodation; and burr, that wind surely has a bite. Besides, it would be very hard to store enough food for the next several months under a rock, now wouldn’t it!

Your home is a 5 star hotel to rodents. They receive a warm and cozy room and every evening – room service! Of course the ‘room’ they service is your kitchen, but after all, to them it’s an all-inclusive package deal! And no resort fees! Ahhh, this is the life! Not only will these pests live and eat for free all winter, but they will also cause damage as they chew through wires, urinate and defecate wherever they please, and invite a billion or so fleas, ticks, and lice to join them. Not to mention the myriad of disease they and their parasites carry and transmit! This is not exactly your idea of a relaxing winter is it?

Here are a few things that you can do to make your ‘winter hotel’ less attractive for these pests.

  • Ventilate attics, crawl spaces and basements properly
  • Seal cracks and holes – especially where utilities and pipes enter your home0
  • Replace weather stripping around doors and windows
  • Repair screens on doors and windows
  • Store food in air tight containers
  • Remove trash and garbage regularly and store in trash cans with tightly fitting lids
  • Eliminate moisture from leaking pipes and AC units

Remember, mice can fit through a hole as small as ¼ inch so be sure to caulk all those nooks and crannies! The truth is, even after all this hard work, if there is a breach – just one small crevice or one rotting board to chew through – you can bet that these resourceful little rodents will find it and exploit it.

This is why exclusion is the only effective answer. That’s right! Prevention! Here at Active Pest Control we have invested in education, hands-on training, the latest products, and state-of-the-art technology to ensure our pest control teams are the most trusted, efficient, and effective pest control technicians around. They can inspect your home, find all the possible entry points, and seal out those pests. Truly, it is far better for you to exclude mice in the first place than it is to try and get rid of them after the fact. Trust the exclusion experts here at Active Pest Control to protect your home from mice and then you will be able to snuggle up next to that wood stove with your hot chocolate without worrying about a mouse in the house.