A home really isn’t a home without a rodent infestation. Just think about it. What other pest is heavy enough that you can hear them running around late at night, or equipped with teeth sharp teeth enough to chew holes through your cereal boxes? Rodents truly are the best at what they do. Of course, we’re being sarcastic. There is nothing that ruins a home’s comforting and safe feel faster than a family of rodents. To ensure these furry invaders stay out of your Saratoga County home, try these eight easy yet effective rodent control tips.
Common Rodents Around Saratoga County
Many rodents call Saratoga County their home, but only a few are known for invading and causing trouble inside homes. Today we will be focusing on three specific furry pests, roof rats, Norway rats, and house mice. Here is what you need to know about each of these rodent invaders.
House mice are the most invasive pest rodents in the United States and most other countries worldwide. Identify this dusty grey rodent by its cream-colored belly, round shape, large ears, beady red or black eyes, long, almost hairless tail, and pointy snout.
Norway rats are the most common home-invading rat worldwide and much more destructive than most of their close cousins. Identify this pest by its brown fur with scattered black hairs, long heavy body, blunt muzzle, long scaly tail, small ears, and small black eyes.
Roof rats are one of the nimblest rodents, only rivaled in our area by squirrels. It is not uncommon for this pest to climb up trees and electrical wires and use overhanging branches and electrical wires to get onto homes. Identify this smaller rat by its brown and black intermixed fur, light-colored underside, large ears, beady eyes, blunt nose, and long scaly tail.
What Attracts Rodents To Homes
Rodents only need three things to survive, food, water, and shelter. Although they can find these necessities outside, mice and rats seem to think they’re easier to find inside our homes. As long as your house provides rodents with a way in, available food sources, and accessible water, you will be more likely to experience problems with these pests.
How To Prevent Rodents
There are only two major steps needed to prevent rodents. The first thing is to seal the exterior of your home properly. The second thing is to eliminate sources of available food, harborage, and water in and around your home. To do this, here are eight prevention tips our experts recommend.
- Keep your yard clean and your landscaping well maintained.
- Use a caulking gun and some steel or copper world to fill in gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Repair larger damages to your home’s exterior that might create a way in for rodents.
- Address moisture problems by fixing broken gutters and repairing leaky pipes and fixtures in and around your home.
- Make sure all of your window and door screens are in good condition.
- Deep clean your home at least once a week and do your best to keep it clean.
- Store leftover food inside tough, airtight containers.
- Invest in trash cans that have tight-fitting rodent-proof lids.
To take your rodent control to the next level, get the experts at Old School Pest Control involved. Our team understands how rodents think and have the tools and experience to safeguard your home against these annoying, dangerous, and destructive pests. We also offer effective rodent removal services developed to conquer infestations of all shapes and sizes.
Contact us today to discuss your service options or to schedule a time for your Saratoga County home to be treated for rodents.