Hearing scratching sounds in the walls and spotting droppings in the pantry might mean you are not alone in your Winter Garden home. You might notice these signs of rodent activity until you address the problem. Rodents love warm, cozy houses just as much as we do, especially when the weather starts to cool. They sneak in looking for food, shelter, and a place to raise their young. They can be hard to remove without the right plan once they get comfortable in your Winter Garden home.
Tackling rodent issues should include rodent identification. This allows you to tailor your plan to the type of rodent you are dealing. Also, professional intervention is often necessary when it comes to rodents due to the difficulty in removing them. View site to find the right pest control company to work with. Below are the types of rodents in Winter Garden homes and how you can get rid of them before they cause real damage.
House Mice
House mice are small, light brown, or gray rodents with large ears and long tails. These curious and quick creatures can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. They often build nests in wall voids, attics, basements, and inside kitchen cabinets.
House mice leave behind tiny black droppings, shredded paper or fabric from nesting, and greasy rub marks along walls where they travel. They chew on wiring, which can increase the risk of fire. Also, they spread bacteria wherever they go.
Roof Rats
Roof rats are slim and agile. They are excellent climbers and often make their way into homes through the roof or attic. Living near trees or having overhanging branches increases your risk of dealing with roof rats.
You will usually find these rats nesting in attics, rafters, and upper areas of homes. They chew through insulation and wires. Also, they can contaminate food sources with their urine and droppings.
Norway Rats
Norway rats are bigger and bulkier than house mice or roof rats. They have short tails, small ears, and prefer to stay close to the ground. These rats are diggers. You will often find their burrows outside near foundations, under sheds, or in garages and crawlspaces.
You might find them in basements or lower levels of the home. Norway rats are strong chewers and can gnaw through wood, plastic, and soft metals. They also carry harmful bacteria and diseases, making them a serious problem when they get inside.
How to Get Rid of Rodents in Your Winter Garden Home
Getting rid of rodents takes more than setting a trap and hoping for the best. Here are steps you can take to keep your home free of rodents:
- Seal Entry Points. Rodents get inside through gaps in doors, vents, and windows. Also, holes around pipes can be entry points. You can use steel wool or metal mesh for small holes, and caulk or expanding foam to fill cracks. Make sure doors and windows close tightly. Weather stripping can be used if necessary.
- Clean up food and water sources. Keep food in airtight containers. Also, you should clean crumbs and spills right away. Avoid leaving pet food out overnight. Empty trash regularly and use bins with tight-fitting lids. Leaky pipes or faucets must be fixed to remove water sources.
- Set Traps or Baits. You can place snap traps, glue boards, or live traps near walls, behind appliances, or in attics. Use bait like peanut butter or dried fruit to attract them. Rodent bait stations may help for bigger infestations.
- Call a professional pest control expert. Pest control experts in Winter Garden know how to find nests, treat hidden infestations, and use safe, effective methods to stop rodents in their tracks. They also help identify the type of rodent you are dealing with and suggest long-term solutions to prevent them from coming back.
