Cartoons have made us believe that rats and mice are cute and friendly, but that’s far from the truth. Rodents are known to spread many diseases and often leave a trail of destruction behind. Unfortunately, rodents are a real problem in Ferndale homes. These pesky pests are great at hiding, which is why many homeowners remain blissfully unaware of their presence. No matter what you see on the internet, you have to call a Ferndale Pest Control company as soon as you notice signs. In this post, we are discussing signs of rodent infestation, with an overview of how professional teams deal with such infestations.
Signs to watch for
- Droppings: Pests leave droppings. Mice droppings often look like loose grains of rice, while rat droppings are larger in size. You will usually find such droppings in the kitchen, under sinks, and in the basement and attic.
- Gnaw marks: Rodents have ever-growing teeth, which means they must constantly chew to trim them. If rodents have infested your home, you will find gnaw marks around, especially on soft things like food packaging. You may also notice chewed wires, wood, and cardboard. Watch out for holes in the corners of your wallpaper.
- Unusual noises: Like roaches, rodents are active at night, and that’s when you are likely to hear a lot of scratching sounds. You may also find rustling behind walls or in the ceiling. These are clear indicators that these unwanted guests have found a way into your home.
- Your pets are acting weird: You should be surprised if your dog is barking at the attic or a particular part of the kitchen. Pets, especially cats and dogs, are great at detecting rodent activity, and you should consider that as an alarming sign.
- Nesting materials: Rodents will look for easy materials that they can shred and use for nesting. Think of paper, fabric, or even insulation. You are likely to find nesting materials in corners, basements, storage areas, and attics.
- Musty odor: Another sign of rodents is a foul odor inside closed spaces. The smell is almost like ammonia and often very musky. This indicates an active infestation, and the chances are high that these pests have multiplied inside your home.
DIY hacks aren’t enough
Just setting a few traps is not enough to address an active infestation. Also, using pesticides and chemicals without expertise can mean more risks than benefits. You need a professional team that’s based in Ferndale to tackle the situation. Here’s how experts deal with rodent infestations.
- Initial inspection: The first step is to inspect the property and find signs of rodents. The professional team will also check for entry points, such as gaps and vents, and look for nesting sites, food sources, etc.
- Next, they will place traps on high-activity parts of the house. There are different kinds of traps that are used for rodents, and you can discuss what’s safer and better. The first approach is to get rid of rodents without using rodenticides or chemicals extensively. Common choices include glue traps and enclosed bait stations.
- If there are no more rodents inside the house, the team will focus on exclusion, which involves sealing entry points, for which they may use materials like steel for mesh and nets. Rats and mice cannot eat through and won’t come back. Exterminators may also place bait stations outside the house to prevent rodents.
Further steps are also often necessary, which may mean using certain chemicals to create barriers. Pest experts will also clean and sanitize contaminated areas, store food in airtight containers, and fix leaks and plumbing issues. If you have clutter around the house, they may recommend clearing all that.
Call a pest control service in Ferndale before rodents cause massive damage to your property!