Rodent/Wildlife Control

Rodents

Rodents such as mice and rats are the most common species of wildlife that find their way into homes and businesses. While wild at heart, rodents have come to somewhat rely on people for their basic needs. They enter into our structures seeking safe, temperature-controlled nesting spots and easy access to food. Unfortunately, rodents do not make good house guests and cause a variety of problems. They damage the structure of our homes and businesses, contaminate our food with their saliva and excrement, destroy personal property such as books, boxes, clothing, furniture, and pictures, and introduce bacteria, diseases, and parasites onto our properties.

Rodents are mammals and belong to the group Rodentia. All rodents, no matter their species, have a single pair of front incisors in their upper and lower jaws that grow throughout their lifetime. To prevent their teeth from overgrowing, they gnaw on just about everything. When living and nesting inside, they chew through wires, pipes, insulation, drywall, and more. Their chewing habits cause fires and create water damage inside homes and businesses. Rodents live and thrive in a wide variety of climates and conditions and live successfully in homes, businesses, farmland, gardens, open fields, parks, and wooded areas – making them difficult to control.

Mice, rats, and other rodents have come to rely on us for some sources of food, water, and shelter. Eliminating their access to these necessities from your property is important and will make it less attractive to rodents. Remove woodpiles, piles of leaves, and other debris where they can hide. Keep the grass cut short and trim tree branches, shrubs, and bushes away from the exterior of your home or business. Place tight-fitting lids on trash cans and compost bins. Make sure outdoor eating areas are free of food debris. Get rid of entry points into your property by sealing any cracks or opening found in the exterior walls, foundation, or roofline. Place caps on chimneys, repair roof damage, and put mesh covers over vents. Get rid of water sources by fixing leaky pipes, fixtures, or clogged gutters.

One of the most loathsome pests that invade properties across the country is the cockroach. These insects live together in large groups in both indoor and outdoor environments. There are thousands of species of cockroaches living worldwide but only the few that live near humans are considered dangerous. Outside, cockroaches are beneficial scavengers that help to recycle dead plants, carrion, and animal excrement. In our area, the types of cockroaches that are problematic for both home and business owners include the American cockroach, German cockroach, and Oriental cockroach.

Most cockroaches prefer to live and nest inside dark, damp, and secluded areas like gardens, behind tree barks, in sewers, trash piles, and around drains. They are nocturnal, hiding during the day and emerging at night to forage for food. Keeping cockroaches away from your home or business is vital for several reasons. They carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites on their bodies, legs, and feces. Their feces and shed skins trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks, especially in young children. Cockroaches also secrete a substance that stains surfaces and produce bad odors. They find their way inside on their own while foraging for food or inside used appliances, packages, moving boxes, or potted plants.

Keep cockroaches out by sealing spaces in the foundation, exterior walls, and roof line of your home or business. Place door sweeps on all exterior doors. Reduce moisture levels in and around your home or business by fixing leaky pipes and fixtures, using dehumidifiers, and maintaining gutters and downspouts. Keep lids on trash cans and compost bins, and pick up pet food between feedings. Indoors, store food either in the refrigerator or in containers with airtight lids. Always remember to inspect used appliances, furniture, packages, or potted plants for cockroaches before bringing them inside.