You might see an influx of rodents at this time of year, because as the weather cools mice and rats seek warmth anywhere they can find it. Unfortunately, that often means inside residential homes. Many homes may experience rodent infestations at this time of year more than any other. Whether they're getting into your garage, basement or kitchen, it's important to put a stop to them before the problem becomes too serious and requires the intervention of a professional pest control agency.
Here's what you need to know about rodent management this autumn:
Although most rodents are quite small, they can cause quite a bit of damage over a short period of time. Mice and rats tend to test items for edibility by gnawing on them. Therefore, you may see bite marks on some objects that are clearly not part of the rodent's diet. For instance, if mice are searching for food in your kitchen, they will gnaw on anything they can find until they locate something they like.
This is possibly how the myth of mice and cheese began. Although mice will eat anything that may have nutritional value, they prefer sweeter food to cheese, reported EarthKind. It's possible that early Europeans noticed bite marks on wheels of cheese and assumed that was the animal's favorite snack. If you are using mouse traps, peanut butter is much better bait than cheese.
Voles, another common rodent pest at this time of year, can wreak havoc on lawns. Found throughout Canada and the northern U.S., voles can dig unsightly burrows through grassy lawns and even disrupt root systems in gardens and recently planted trees.
Rodent prevention should be a part of your annual fall maintenance. When you rake up leaves, you should be sure to keep piles away from your home and dispose of them as soon as possible. When left too long, rotting piles of leaves can generate their own heat, making them very attractive to rodents.
Clemson University noted that one of the primary ways to control rodents around residential properties is to check around the foundation of your home for cracks. Mice and rats can sneak through even small cracks, so you should be sure to seal them with a weatherproof material as soon as you find them. The next step is sanitation. Keep trash well away from the house and clean your home regularly. Rodents are attracted by food and water - if they can't find any, they'll move on.
Vole infestations are difficult to prevent without extensive fencing that penetrates several feet into the ground. If you see vole damage on your property, you'll want to lay down traps along burrows that appear recently used.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
Not every creature that visits your property is a dangerous nuisance. Many animals actually offer a number of benefits that keep your yard healthy. Predatory animals, in particular, actually offer natural pest control. Here are five common suburban creatures that can help keep more difficult or annoying animals at bay:
The customer is always right, and this is especially true if he or she is complaining about seeing a mouse or cockroach. Pests have no place in your organization, as bugs and rodents will turn away potential business or even lead to a possible lawsuit. Keeping your company protected requires a proactive approach. Work with a pest removal specialist to identify the best ways to stop creatures from infesting your business. Here are just a few ideas for successfully mitigating and preventing any issues:
You might see an influx of rodents at this time of year, because as the weather cools mice and rats seek warmth anywhere they can find it. Unfortunately, that often means inside residential homes. Many homes may experience rodent infestations at this time of year more than any other. Whether they're getting into your garage, basement or kitchen, it's important to put a stop to them before the problem becomes too serious and requires the intervention of a professional pest control agency.
Summer is almost here and before you head out on a family trip or even if you travel for work, consider doing a little research so you become familiar with bed bugs. This will help you identify them quickly and it could keep you from bringing them home unknowingly!
For some, the garage is a primarily a storage unit. If your household is one that keeps its vehicles parked in the driveway, you may have considered clearing out the garage or at least organizing it so that you can better locate your things. Another good reason to do so it because a cluttered garage makes it easier for pests to hide. In the summer months, pests might invade the space looking for some shade. During winter, rodents may take shelter from the cold. Perhaps worst of all, a swarm of bees or wasps could decide that an open wall is the perfect spot to build a nest. For these reasons alone, you should consider cleaning out your garage and inspecting it for pest damage. Read on to learn how:
With autumn in full swing, chances are you're spending more time outside, enjoying the changing colors. Hikes through the forest and walks through the park are great ways of enjoying the outdoors before the cold months of winter come. These activities are so much more enjoyable when you can take your beloved canine company with you. But when you do, you have to be wary about ticks and fleas. These parasites can spread disease at worst and make your pet very itchy at best. Keep reading to learn how to keep your pets pest free.
