As the temperatures drop and local farmers from Gettysburg to York continue to clear their fields, mice and rats start looking for a place to hide during the harsh winter. What better place than in your home? It’s an indoor paradise that promises warmth, food, and plenty of places to hide away from outdoor predators!
Are mice and rats dangerous?
The minute mice and rats take up real estate in a house, your family’s safety is compromised. While these rodents don’t attack and are actually just as scared of you as you are of them, they do bring disease and bacteria with them that they spread during travel. That means when they find those cookies (score for them!) you hid in the back of the cabinet, they are potentially leaving behind a harmful present for you as well. Families with pets should also be concerned about fleas, ticks, and mites finding their way inside.
Keeping mice and rats outside
The first step to keeping rodents outside is knowing what attracts them into your house. They are on a mission to survive. Which means, like us, they need shelter, water, and food. Even the smallest cracks or gaps in the foundation, vents, and spaces under doors are easy for them to squeeze through. Crumbs and spills are also an invitation for them to join you for a few months. Take the time to seal holes leading into the house and be mindful of spills and messes by sweeping and mopping often.
Signs you have a rodent problem
While rodent droppings in the bottom of your pantry are a confirmation that you have an infestation, here are some additional signs:
- Noise or scurrying inside walls during the day.
- Small piles of dirt along walls or shelves.
- Chew marks on cabinets, food containers, or boxes.
- A musky smell throughout the home.
How do you get rid of mice and rats?
There are plenty of methods that you can use to get rid of mice and rats, including traps and poisons. These popular methods don’t always work. They may catch one or two, there are sometimes others hiding that will likely return running the halls at night when things quiet down. The best way to ensure you remove rodents from your home is by calling a professional pest control company to take care of the infestation. If pesky rodents are hiding out in your Hanover or York home, send us a message or call (717) 229-9818.
