Learn to spot the warning signs of a rat infestation
Ever heard a weird scratching noise coming from somewhere in your house? Found random holes in things? Been asking, "What is that smell?"
This month, we're kicking off a new blog series called "Did you know?" in which we will educate you on all the different critters that could be calling your home their home, too. We'll also give you tips to keep bugs and animals out of your home, and as always, if things get too hairy, BREDA Pest Management is always ready to help.
So to kick things off, let's talk about rodents, the likely culprit behind scratching in the walls and ceiling, random holes or eaten wires, and truly unpleasant odors. These furry fiends are more than just a nuisance; they can be downright dangerous to your home and you. Here are three facts about rodents in your home:
Did you know that 37% of all American homeowners have had a rodent in their home within the last year?
If you've discovered (or suspected) your home had a rodent visitor, it seems you are in good company. It might be hard to believe, but the reason behind this high infestation rate is a simple and familiar one: the pandemic. Rodents seek out two things: food and shelter. When they are able to find both in the same place, they quickly set up shop to start their rat or mice families. Since the majority of us have spent an exponentially larger amount of time at home, we've generated more trash and had more food inside our homes than before the pandemic hit. Another reason so many Americans have reported some type of rodent activity in their homes: the increased time at home means more opportunity to catch sight of the critters.
Did you know that one mouse will produce 25,000 fecal pellets annually?
Been seeking out the source of a particularly pungent odor in your home? Remember how we said rodents are mainly motivated by finding a food source? Well, like the book says, everyone poops, so all that ingested food must eventually come out. Rat and mouse poop carries a fairly strong scent and that smell will be harder to get rid of the longer the feces sit in your home. And beyond the smell, rodent poop can be hazardous to your health, as rodent droppings have been found to carry diseases like the Bubonic plague and hantavirus.
Did you know a female mouse will produce up to 12 pups every 3 weeks?
The biggest reason why you want to nip a rodent problem in the bud as early as possible: they multiply like crazy. Finding food and shelter are the highest priority for rats and mice because they want to find what they deem to be a safe place to reproduce. This is why you might start to spot frayed wiring, cardboard boxes with random holes, or little piles of shredded paper or fabric. If you see any of these signs, in addition to droppings, missing or tampered-with food, and scratching/scurrying sounds, it's safe to assume you've got a rodent problem and it's time to act.
As things start to cool down, rodents and other critters will start seeking shelter wherever they can find it...and our homes are prime real estate to them. BREDA Pest Management has two helpful guides for you to download and use to prepare for winter pest control:
BREDA also offers rodent control services.
If you find yourself needing pest control and want it handled thoroughly, don't hesitate to give us a call. The BREDA Guarantee promises to fix your pest problem and keep it fixed—no matter the circumstances. Schedule a consultation online or give us a call at 770-466-6700.
