Nobody likes to have a rodent infestation in their house. The most common rodents are rats and mice. Unfortunately, unwanted rat and mouse visitors are a common problem in the area and are a top priority for pest control in Lake Oconee/Greensboro.
Luckily, we know what attracts them and how to get rid of rodents once they make their way in, with methods that prevent them from getting in the house again.
While there are a handful of things you can do to make your home less hospitable to rodents, you should call our professionals at American Pest Control if you suspect they are in your home, and we will remediate the problem.
The Type Of Food Sources That Attract Rodents
Rodents will eat more or less any food you have in your home. That's why storing your food in airtight containers is imperative, especially if you have had rodent issues. These products bring rodents:
- Pet food
- Nuts
- Berries
- Grains
- Seeds
- Plants
- Meat
One of the best ways to make your home less hospitable to rodents is to remove any available food sources. That entails keeping a generally clean home, keeping food in the pantry in airtight containers, sweeping crumbs off the floor, and keeping surfaces clean from all food and liquid spills.
The Type Of Food Sources That Attract Rodents
With a mouse infestation in Lake Oconee/Greensboro, we are naturally curious about the cause and how to handle it immediately. Here are the top 12 most common questions and answers about mice in the house:
- Why are mice in my house? Mice want water, food, and shelter. Your house has all of that!
- How do you know if I have mice in the house? Aside from a sighting, gnaw marks, droppings, nests, and food scraps are surefire signs you have a mouse problem.
- How do I prevent mice from getting in my house again? Understand that mice can fit into holes as small as a dime, which can be tricky. Sealing cracks in the exterior and utilizing screens, and door jams, are effective prevention tools.
- What do mice eat? Just about everything, so keep your food in airtight containers and promptly clean up leftovers, crumbs, and debris.
- How many offspring can one female have per year? A female mouse can have over 140 pups per year, so a mouse infestation can quickly follow a single sighting.
- Why am I having an issue now? While mice can enter your house throughout the year, the colder winter months present the most significant threat. Mice try to find warmer spaces as the outside climate cools.
- How long will mice live in the house? A mouse in the wild may live a few months up to a year; however, in a warm home with access to food and safety from natural predators and the elements, a mouse can live for two years or more.
- Why do I generally not see mice during the day? Mice are nocturnal creatures, so they are usually asleep during the day when we do business.
- Can mice do damage to my house? The answer is a resounding yes. Mice are continuously gnawing on things because their teeth never stop growing. That can range from your hardwood floors to your house's electrical wiring.
- Do mice carry diseases? Again, yes. The symptoms your family can experience from a mouse infestation can be severe, from food-borne illnesses to serious viruses.
- Can you smell a mouse infestation? Yes, mouse urine has a strong ammonia smell.
- Do mice fear my cat? Even though most mice have not encountered cats before, the sight and smell of your cat will most likely have mice heading for the hills. While it won't eradicate your problem, there is truth to this.
What To Do If You've Seen Rodents In Your Home
Call the professionals immediately if you've seen any kind of rodents in your home! The first thing to realize if you've seen rodents in your home is that your sightings are probably the tip of the iceberg. A female mouse, for instance, can have up to ten litters per year, each with 14 pups. So, just one female mouse can produce up to 140 per year.
It would be best if you avoided direct contact with the rodents. Direct contact with them is one of the most sure-fire ways to become infected with a variety of diseases that they tend to carry, including but not limited to:
- Leptospirosis
- Hantavirus
- Rat-bite fever
- Tularemia
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
- Salmonella, listeria, and E. coli
Once a professional comes to your home, we'll eradicate your current problem and devise a go-forward plan that encompasses continued monitoring and removal of multiple access points that we'll uncover as potential points of entry for these pests.
Total Rodent Control For Homes In Lake Oconee/Greensboro
Here at American Pest Control, we take a complete approach to residential pest control in Lake Oconee/Greensboro. Once you determine that you have a rodent problem in your home, call us, and we will initiate our rodent control process:
- Rodent inspection: Our licensed universal technicians will survey your home to determine how the rodents are gaining access and the extent of the problem.
- Implement rodent exclusion and baiting program: We will install a baiting program to eradicate your current problem and institute changes to remove the access points so the problem will not recur.
- Monitoring and sanitization: Approximately two weeks later, we will return to ensure successful extermination and sanitize the infected areas.
Rodent infestations can quickly get out of hand if not taken seriously. Additionally, the diseases that rodents carry with them can have dangerous outcomes. If there are signs you might have rodents, don't delay; call American Pest Control today, and remember to request a free inspection.
Our certified pest experts will work with you to find the best solution for your needs. Simply fill out this form for a free, no-obligation estimate.
Contact Us Today!