Are you having issues with Rodents? We can help at Independent Pest, your local pest exterminators.

During the winter, rodents can be a big problem

Our pest of the month is rodents, which includes rats and mice. During the winter, rodents can be a big problem. No homeowner wants to deal with a rodent infestation, but there’s always a possibility. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to prevent a rat or mouse infestation. This article will provide some information about how you can minimize and prevent damage from rodents, as well as give you some information about the pests themselves. 

When the weather outside is cold, rats and mice try to find warm places to live where they have access to the resources they need, such as food and water. They also like human structures because they provide protection from predators. To stay warm, rodents will try to get inside heated buildings, like your business or home. They will go to great lengths to invade your building as uninvited guests. If you properly seal off potential entry points into your home or place of work, such as holes and cracks, you can keep rodents from sneaking in. 

Rodents might also invade your home to find food sources, so if you cut off their access to food, it can keep them at bay. This means keeping your house free of crumbs, using rodent-proof containers for your food, and putting a lid on your trash can. 

Not every rat or mouse is carrying a disease, but many of them are. These diseases can be harmful to people and pets, and in some cases are even fatal, such as the deadly hantavirus. Keeping your home free from vermin can help you maintain a safe, healthy environment for your loved ones. You don’t want the people you care about to have to worry about getting sick from rats and mice. 

Disease isn’t the only problem that a rodent infestation can cause; it’s a well-known fact that rats and mice can cause extensive damage to structures. These troublesome creatures can chew on wiring, causing electrical problems and hazards. They also love to gnaw on furniture and scavenge for nesting materials. When rats and mice rub against surfaces such as cabinets, they can leave behind oily dark smudges that can be difficult to remove. Rodents don’t clean up after themselves; they will leave behind droppings everywhere they go. That isn’t even the worst of the damage that rodents can cause. Rats and mice can make holes in your walls and live inside them. If one of them dies in the wall, it can create a horrible smell. 

If you are dealing with a rodent problem, Independent Pest Solutions are the people to call. We have extensive experience in getting rid of mice and rats so that our clients can feel safe and comfortable in their own homes again. We don’t just eliminate the current infestation – we take measures to keep rodents from getting into your house again. Our pest control technicians know effective preventative steps to take, such as sealing off entry points and cutting off their access to easy food sources. 

So, what sorts of rats and mice live in the Pacific Northwest? Norway rats are one of the common types of rats in the area. They are also called wharf rats, sewer rats, and brown rats. The most distinguishing feature of the Norway rat is how huge they can get. Another identifying feature is their shaggy, coarse black or brown fur. The shape of Norway rat droppings is another way that you can tell if you are dealing with them or another rat species. The droppings from Norway rats are blunt on the ends.

Rodent and Pest Exterminator in Puyallup, WA.

Like many types of rodents, Norway rats cause lots of property damage. They like to build their nests next to buildings in places such as under sidewalks and concrete, in low ground cover, and more. They are also known to live inside buildings in crawlspaces, sewers, basements, and walls. If a hole is bigger than half an inch, a fully grown Norway rat can squeeze through it. Not only do Norway rats contaminate food and destroy property, but they also can spread diseases. 

Another type of rat that we have in the Pacific Northwest are roof rats. Roof rats have lived in close association with humans for a long time. One of the most noticeable differences between roof rats and Norway rats is that roof rats have very long tails. Their tails are often longer than the rest of their body. Roof rat fur is smooth, and is brown or black in color. Their droppings are tapered on the ends, and are usually smaller than Norway rat droppings. 

Roof rats like to build their nests high up, such as in trees. When they live inside homes and commercial buildings, they can usually be found in the upper levels of the structure in the attic. Like other types of rodents, roof rats will eat any food that they are able to get their paws on. This includes cereals, fruits, vegetables, and more. They can contaminate the food in your pantry. 

One species of mouse that is common in Washington is the house mouse. These mice are brownish or grayish, and have large ears and small eyes. Although house mice don’t live very long, they reproduce rapidly and an infestation can quickly get out of control. They will live pretty much anywhere they can get the resources they need to survive. They are adept jumpers and climbers, and can squeeze through surprisingly tiny openings. 

When house mice infest a space, they can destroy it. These pests leave a mess, chewing up materials, leaving rub marks, and getting droppings all over the place. It is important that mice are dealt with as soon as you realize that there is a problem. By the time you actually see the mice, it’s likely that there’s already a sizable mouse population on your property. Mice will eat anything they get the opportunity to, including cereals, grains, and crumbs. They are able to chew through packaging to get access to its contents. Although they are small, house mice can cause extensive damage. 

For effective rodent pest control services, call Independent Pest Solutions. Rodents can be very hard to get rid of entirely, and you need experts to handle the problem. It isn’t enough to just trap the rats or mice; it is important that exclusion methods are used so that they can’t come back. Thankfully, our pest control technicians have many years of experience in eliminating rodent infestations and preventing them from recurring again. After we get rid of the rats or mice, we will do a full clean-out of the space and seal potential entry points. 

The longer you wait before reaching out to the professionals, the worse your rodent infestation will become. If you see any signs of rat or mice on your property, like droppings, chew marks, or nesting materials, it is essential to contact Independent Pest Solutions as soon as you can. With our excellent extermination, clean-out, and exclusion services, you won’t have to worry about rodents again.