Rodent Infestations on the Rise

According to Boston News, rodents are on the rise in our region. Mice and rats are seemingly everywhere. The latest national study, in which rat complaint data in several major metropolises was analyzed, shows that we can officially dub summer of 2019 as, The Season of the Rat in Boston and the surrounding suburbs.Where does your neighborhood rank on the rattiness scale? If you have noticed more mice and rats this year, you are not alone. Construction, wet weather, and dwindling predators makes for the surge in rodent population that is being felt across our region.

How to Protect Your Home

Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have outlined several smart ways to protect your home and property from the potential rodent infestation that could accompany the cold weather and snow. This is a common time of year for the rodent population to seek out warmth, shelter, and food sources that will sustain them till spring.The CDC suggests the best way to prevent a rodent infestation and to avoid contact with rodents is to remove the food sources, water, and items that provide shelter for rodents. Sealing up a home from top to bottom can help prevent mice and rats from finding entry. This means sealing up any foundation holes or cracks. Remember that a mouse only needs the size of a dime to squeeze into a home. Rats need a larger area, but to be safe, seal all entry points that are visible. This include soffits, overhangs, roofs, utility openings, duct work, etc..The EPA suggests removing food and water sources, as well as keeping a lid on trash barrels, keeping dog food inside, and keeping garage doors shut whenever possible. They also suggest removing piles of leaves and debris from your yard where rodents like to nest.

Look for Signs of an Infestation

In order to stop an infestation, it is also important to know what signs are indicators that you may have the beginnings of a mouse or rat problem. Here are a few signs that should be red flags when inspecting areas of your home that are well hidden like the attic, garage, and crawl spaces.

• Rodent droppings around food packages, in drawers or cupboards, and under the sink.
• Nesting material such as shredded paper, fabric, or dried plant matter.
• Signs of chewing on food packaging.
• Holes chewed through walls and floors that create entry points into the home.
• Grease stains from pathways the rodents use.
• The smell of urine or feces.

If you think you may have a rodent problem in or around your home call Pest-End Exterminators. Not only can we provide fast and comprehensive elimination, but we can also find entry points to exclude them in the future. Call us at 800.287.4321 or via our website contact page.