Fall is when many infestations of mice and rats get started. Cold weather in the New York area is sending rodents scurrying to find a warm place to shelter. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Don’t think your home or business is immune from rat and mouse infestations
The age of your structure or the materials used to build it have nearly no impact on your vulnerability to rodent infestations. A high floor doesn’t put you out of their reach—climbing is a piece of cake for rodents. Rodents are quite at home Park Avenue and are common in every neighborhood, from grand to humble.
Just because you don’t see rats or mice doesn’t mean they are not there
Rats and mice can hide almost anywhere in a structure and they do most of their mischief at night. You may have dozens of them in your home without seeing one. You are more likely to see their droppings, fur, dirt trails and damage from their gnawing.
Exterminating Rats and Mice Is NOT the First Step
Don’t worry about getting rid of rodents until you close off their way in. If you exterminate the current resident rodents without eliminating their points of entry, you are only clearing the way for the next generation infestation. Placing a few traps probably won’t have much impact. Putting out poison could mean you’ll have dead and rotting carcasses in your walls. You might kill a few rodents that you can see, but the rest will survive and change their habits.
Maintenance Is Key to Keeping Rodents Out
If you can see light shining through a crack or crevice, a rodent can get in. Rodents are masters at breaking and entering. Common points of entry include around doors and windows, around the foundation, and any place plumbing, electrical, phone, cable, gas, etc. enter the building. A mouse can squeeze through a crack as big around as a pencil, so you have to have keen eyes. Caulk is not enough. Rodents can chew through such materials. We recommend cement and metal wire mesh as more effective sealants to prevent rodent infestations.
Clear the Clutter
Be sure to seal off access to food and keep premises clean of debris and dirt. Clutter hides points of entry and offers a nice place to nest. Clutter can also become a nutrition source. Rodents prefer actual food, but will chew glue, leather, and other materials.
Get a Professional Inspection Every Fall
An expert can detect signs of rodents, discover their nests and source of food, and can close of entry ways. Hiring an integrated pest management company like Knockout Pest Control is a cost effective and low-impact way to keep rodents down for the count and prevent rodent infestations.
Knockout Pest Control Can Knock Out Rodent Infestation and Problems with Mice and Rats Fast
Get an autumn rodent inspection now and prevent rodent infestations later. We have deep knowledge of our region’s most common rodent species and we have the equipment and expertise to put them down for the count. Every member of our team receives over 100 hours of classroom instruction and in-the-field training so you are guaranteed a knockout punch to your pest problem every time.. We serve all of Long Island, New York City, and Westchester and Rockland Counties. Call 1-800-244-PEST or 1-800-244-7378 We respond like every pest problem is an emergency with fast, 24 hour service seven days a week. We don’t have the big red boxing glove in our logo for nothing!
