Some people like to have rodents for pets. But for most people, there is nothing pleasant in sighting one in their house or place of business. Rats, mice, and squirrels are common rodents to encounter when there is a rodent infestation. Rodent infestations are widespread no matter where you live. Country homes will often have mice, for city dwellings, it will most likely be rats. Regardless of where you live, how high in a skyscraper or how low in the countryside, a rodent infestation can affect anyone.
Rodents are common mammals throughout most of the world except Antarctica. They have two unique continuously growing pairs of incisors on both upper and lower jaws. Those teeth allow them to chew, shred, and destroy almost any material. They can chew through wood, aluminum, brick, mortar, glass, and even some concrete. If there is something that attracts rodents in your home or business, almost nothing will stop them from chewing their way in. Rodents are often infested with fleas as well as they carry various diseases. Some of those diseases can make humans very sick, and some are even fatal.
Rodent Infestation Prevention
The best way and the easiest way to control rodent infestation is to prevent one. There are multiple ways you can ensure rodents do not start entering your home or place of business. Rodents can squeeze through the tiniest of spaces, some as small as a pencil. The first thing one can do to prevent rodents from coming in is to seal all cracks and openings outside of your home or business. Steel wool mixed into a sealer works excellent for plugging holes around pipes and covering openings as rodents cut their gums on it and stop chewing.
Rodents are excellent climbers! Make sure to cut all trees back and away from your house or place of business to prevent rodents from using them as a bridge into the attic. Even though rodents cannot see very well, they have a superb sense of smell. They can detect food from a long distance and will find it. Make sure you do not leave pet food outside when pets are not eating. That includes bird feed. If you like feeding birds, keep it away from your house not to attract unwanted visitors.
How do you know if there is a rodent infestation? Most likely you will start finding rodent droppings in cupboards and drawers. Pantry and basements are often the first to show signs. You may find holes in food packaging as well as shredded materials scattered around. Mice will use paper and dried plant matter for nesting. Most of the time, you will find one of these signs before you start seeing rodents on site. In the case of rodent infestation, you can try getting rid of them on your own. Most cases of rodent infestation will require professional help. Professional exterminators have the tools to trap animals for humane removal as well as they can kill rodents on site. If you are not familiar with rodent behavior and not sure how to get rid of them, contact your local exterminator.