Families living in rural or semi-rural regions are likely no strangers to the wildlife that can accompany such scenic landscapes. Although the various animals living on or walking through your land can be annoying at times, there's nothing worse than when they come into your home.
Deer mice are a common culprit for homes in rural areas, and when they invade, they can cause a lot of damage. Although uncommon in cities, deer mice are prevalent across North America and shouldn't be ignored by homeowners. If you spot a nest or find yourself with mice corpses in the walls that are beginning to smell, it's time to call in the pest control experts.
Pest management services work to eliminate the issue and put efforts in place to prevent further infestations. But in order to call in pest services, homeowners must be able to discover the infestation.
Deer mice are usually about 5 to 8 inches long and look similar to house mice. Ranging between gray and reddish in their fur's hue, deer mice have white bellies that are a stark contrast to the rest of the fur with no blending.
These rodents eat insects, spiders and other small pests, as well as seed, nuts and stored food. Homeowners may be able to spot damage to bags of seed, food that was stored in a pantry or nuts being grown.
Deer mice are also loud enough that most homeowners will notice the pests. Sounding like humming, buzzing or a quick pitter patter, deer mice aren't good at keeping a low profile. Homeowners can investigate for the pests in outdoor areas including fence posts and wood piles as well as indoor areas like basements, attics and walls. They'll make a nest out of nearly anything and have been known to chew through walls, barriers and wires.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the deer mice common throughout the U.S. and Canada carry the Sin Nombre strain of the Hantavirus. This virus is communicable to humans and has been tied to death, underscoring the need to prevent or treat infestations of deer mice.
The best prevention against deer mice invasions in your home is to keep weeds and plants trimmed back from your home and short near the foundation. Sealing all cracks and openings can also be an effective effort to stem mice's abilities to enter your house.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
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:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
