Rodent control is crucial to preserve the well-being of children, family, pets, and home. Mice and rats are very destructive when seeking new shelter inside a home or business. Their droppings and urine can be a catalyst for breathing problems, especially in children. Not to mention, that rodents can carry hitchhikers into a structure. These hitchhikers consist of fleas, ticks, and mites. These nuisances are also known to damage electrical wiring, resulting in fires.
Rodent issues such as mice and rats are very common during fall & winter months. So why are you seeing rodents in your home or business? They are seeking an element of survival which no longer exists in their exterior environment. Similar to humans, a rodent needs: Food, water and shelter. Unfortunately, mice and rats can find all three of these needs inside our dwelling.
How Do I know If Rodents Are Inside My Home?
Visual sightings of rodents- Evidence of droppings (feces)- Mice droppings will resemble a dark celery seed or dark grain of rice. Rat droppings will be larger almost resembling a rasin like structure.
- Sounds- Faint scratching & gnawing coming from ceiling or walls.
- Odor- It is common to rodent infestations to give off a fowl smell. This musty smell can be from urine or deceased rodents.
How Does A.N.T. Pest Control Get Rid Of Mice & Rats?
Step #1: Professional Rodent Control Inspection
Objective: To reveal ways rodents are entering the structure, harborage areas, level of rodent activity, recommended type of treatment & possible frequency of service.
Entry Points: We start the process of rodent control with the “end in mind”… This means, we are actively seeking entry points, like detectives. “A true pest professional is trained to see what others may overlook.” – Dr. Bobby Corrigan, Rodentologist. Entry points are the discreet way(s) pest gain access within a structure. Figuring out how these pests are entering will minimize the chances of future infestations.
Then we are looking for rodent “runways” inside the structure. A runway is simply a common, trusted path traveled by rodents once they gain access to the interior. After the inspection is complete our technician will explain their findings.
Step #2: Treatment For Rodents
There are many ways to control and eliminate these rodents – mice and rats. What is good for one situation, is not necessarily good for all. So, the treatment selection will hinge upon various factors. Most importantly, a decision which best fits the need of our customer. We will explain the treatment expectations and the elimination process in detail.
Step #3: 5-Star Follow-Up
After the initial visit… We will contact the customer to ensure everything is going as planned and to ensure they are happy with the service they received. A.N.T. takes great pride by making ourselves available if any questions or concerns should arise after service.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT RODENTS
How long does rodent service take?
Rodent control service can take 1-2 hours pending on the size and structure.
How many treatments do I need to get rid of rodents?
Sometimes just 1 visit… Sometimes it is several or even monthly. It hinges upon the conditions surrounding the structure & the entry points associated with it. If “multiple treatment” or “as needed service” is recommended… It is due to structural issues which are financially unrealistic to modify or correct.
Since we now know how the mice are getting in. Can we seal up the entry points today?
Our rodent control service recommend, not sealing up entry points until there is zero evidence of rodents for 3-5 days. Essentially, locking rodents inside the structure can cause more harm than good. Rodents are capable of causing severe damage if they are trapped inside and want to exit. They are capable of chewing through drywall, electrical wires and even causing fires.
Why do I seem to keep getting mice every year?
Future rodents will pick up on the “pheromones” left by previous mice. Rodents communicate through pheromones. Their communication is expelled through skin oils, droppings and urine. The trail of pheromones will lead new mice straight to the entry point(s).
Interesting Facts about Rodents
- An adult rat can squeeze through the diameter of a “quarter” to gain entry
- Germs: Mice are capable of transmitting up to 200 human pathogens.
An adult mouse can squeeze through the diameter of a “dime” to gain entry- Mice have poor vision but excellent hearing ability.
- Rats can swim & tread water for up to 3 days straight
- Mice usually stay within 30ft of their nesting site
- A female mouse can produce up to 150 babies in a single year
- Mice rely heavily on their whiskers (vibrissae) for survival
- Some rodents are actually resistant to snap traps (Will not go for bait)
- A house mouse will produce 40-100 droppings per day inside a home
- Mice can jump up to 1 foot high
- Mice will eat 15-20 meals per day
Rodent Myths
Myth:“Rodents” dislike peppermint oil & it will repel them”
Truth: Rodents may not favor the smell of peppermint oil… But the scent will usually not deter them in anyway or make them leave. Like humans, their senses adapt to the environment. After a few minutes of being exposed to peppermint oil, rodents will not notice the scent.
Myth: “I have a cat, so I don’t need to worry about controlling mice”
Truth: Some cats may have an interest is catching or toying with mice. Keep in mind that a rodent will spend 90% of their life hidden. If a cat catches one mouse, it’s a good bet to believe there are many others hidden. If a cat is catching several mice, this should sound the alarm that drastic control measures are needed. A pet cat will NOT solve the problem.
Myth: “The rodents will eat the poison… get thirsty & die outside my home”
Truth: When a rodent consumes a toxic dose of rodenticide… The rodent will be dying shortly after the meal. However, this rodent can’t control where they die after eating poison. They may die anywhere from poison or “old-age”.
Myth: “I only have one mouse in my house”
Truth: Very rarely does someone have only 1 mouse. It is possible… By the time someone notices a mouse inside their home, more times than not there are several to many.
Myth: “I have a dog so I can’t use poison to control mice”
Truth: When used precisely as labeled, poison as one way to control rodent is safer than snap traps.
Myth: “Ultrasonic plug-in pest repeller’s will solve my rodent problem”
Truth: That would be nice, if we could just plug a device into our wall and make rats and mice run out of our home. Plug-in devices will not solve a rodent problem. Studies have shown that a mouse or rat’s auditory sense will quickly adapt to sound. Within several minutes they will not hear the “Plug-in” device.
Do you have a rodent problem? Don’t let rodents take over! Give us a call today, to see if we may be of service to you. Call or text (815)215.7211