Winter is just around the corner, meaning many of us will start to spend less time out in our yards and more time enjoying the warmth and comfort of our homes. Unfortunately, as the temperatures begin to drop, many homeowners realize that they aren’t the only ones spending time indoors. Cold weather often results in a slew of unwanted critters making their way inside your home.
One of the biggest infestation threats during the fall and winter seasons? Rats and mice. As we enter the cooler months, food sources for rodents begin to deplete, forcing them to forage. Driven by hunger, these rodents will dig through compromised structures and force themselves into exterior holes in your home, both to devour a free meal and enjoy a warm, dry place to nest throughout winter.
Rats And Mice Carry Sickness And Disease Into Your Home
Unfortunately, an unexpected rodent home invasion is so much more than just a nuisance. Rats and mice can carry a slew of diseases and sicknesses that can quickly spread to humans. Some common rodent sicknesses include:
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
- Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM)
- Rat-Bite Fever
- Salmonellosis
Rats can even transmit a form of the plague (yes, really). These are just a few of the many diseases mice and rats can directly spread to humans through handling of these animals, a bite, or from direct contact with the rodent’s bodily fluids (yuck).
Rodents Can Wreak Havoc On Your Home
Rats and mice don’t only pose a risk to you and your family’s health – these uninvited houseguests can also cause significant damage throughout the interior and exterior of your home. Once these animals make their way inside, they can burrow into, well, pretty much anything. Homeowners have found cabinets, wiring, and even large appliances completely destroyed by rats and mice.
The Best Rodent Defense Is A Good Offense
Rats and mice can happen to any home, making a good offense critical to defending both your family and house against an infestation. As autumn approaches, there are two proactive steps you can take to ensure you’re not rolling out the welcome mat for these critters:
Eliminate Entry Points
Holes and gaps somewhere in your building’s structure offer easy entry for these animals. Many homeowners don’t realize that their home exterior is compromised until it’s too late. Carefully walk around your house perimeter to determine if you have any openings that a rodent can burrow through. Eliminating any potential entry points is a crucial first step in avoiding an invasion.
Remove Food Sources
Are you feeding the mice and rats in your area? The answer may surprise you. Setting up active bird feeders and even leaving unsealed trash containers outdoors can offer an all-you-can-eat buffet to hungry rodents. Removing any possible feeding opportunity outside will reduce the risk that these animals will work their way inside for a bite.
Contact A Professional Pest Control Service Immediately
If you still find yourself face-to-face with an uninvited critter, it’s important to call a professional pest control provider immediately.
A reputable company will be able to quickly isolate and eliminate unwanted animals to keep you and your family safe from future dangers.
Want to hear more about keeping your home rodent-free this winter?
Contact Pest Control Unlimited to speak with one of our trained technicians today.
