During the fall and winter, rodents in North and South Carolina go on the hunt for warmer, more hospitable homes. They need a steady supply of food and water along with protection from the elements and dangerous predators. Unfortunately, a home or lawn can be the perfect place for overwintering rodents. When it comes to rodent control, the best strategy is prevention. Here are a few tips on winter rodent prevention.
Winter Rodent Prevention in the Home
Winter Mouse Prevention
During the winter, mice are on the lookout for food, water, and shelter. Unfortunately for us, our houses meet all of their needs. Mice infestations in the winter are incredibly common here in North and South Carolina. These tiny rodents make themselves at home, eating our food, drinking our water, and invading our space. Mice are quick to reproduce too, meaning you could have a large infestation in no time. This winter, be on the lookout for the signs of an infestation of mice in your home.
Common Signs of Mice
- Small droppings near food or water sources.
- The sounds of scratching and scampering coming from the ceiling, walls, or under the floor.
- Wads of nesting material, like stuffing, fabric, string, and insulation.
- Evidence of contaminated food.
Winter rodent prevention helps you reduce the likelihood of having a winter infestation of these furry nuisances. Prevent mice from infesting your home by sealing up any holes, gaps, or cracks around the exterior of your home. Inside your home, clean up any crumbs or messes and make sure to seal all of your food. If you have any leaking pipes or faucets, get those fixed as well.
Winter Rat Prevention
Another common winter rodent invading our homes is the rat. Rats are nasty pests, capable of carrying a number of deadly diseases, persistent parasites, quick-spreading fleas, and dangerous ticks. Once inside your home, rats breed and spread throughout. Knowing the signs of a rat infestation helps you act fast to eliminate these opportunistic critters.
Common Signs of Rats
- Evidence of feeding in the pantry.
- Rat droppings.
- Evidence of chewing or gnawing on insulation and cardboard.
- Signs of nesting materials, like ripped up paper, fabric, insulation, and more.
- Greasy marks and smudges along the baseboards and walls where the rats have been traveling.
With strategic winter rodent prevention, you can protect your home and family from an infestation of nasty rats. Similar to preventing mice, the key to prevention is sealing your home and making the interior as inhospitable as possible. Clean up any messes and put your food in sealed containers to avoid contamination. Fix the leaky pipes and faucets around your home to eliminate their easy drinks. Finally, seal up the outside of your home. Inspect the foundation, siding, doors, windows, and roof for any cracks, gaps, or holes. Repair and seal these to keep the rats out.
Winter Rodent Prevention is Best Left to the Professionals
Making sure your home and property are rodent-free during the winter and throughout the year is a tough task. When it comes to winter rodent prevention or rodent prevention in general, it’s best to trust it to the professionals. Here at Cramer Pest Control, we know exactly what it takes to control and prevent rodents and other pests in North and South Carolina. Invest in residential pest control or indoor pest control services, depending on your specific needs.
For more information on how to get started with your winter rodent prevention, give us a call at 704-763-0204 if you’re in North Carolina or 803-802-7540 if you’re in South Carolina. Follow us on Facebook to be the first to hear about all of our upcoming news and deals. For the best tips on pest control, head over to our expert blog.