Although we might still be in the dog days of summer, the colder weather of fall and winter are quickly approaching. When autumn arrives, along with its shorter days and colder temperatures, rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels will start to seek food sources and shelter to ride out the long winter. Your home can be a primary target depending on the availability of food, water, and shelter.
Every winter, rodents infest around 21 million houses in the United States, with the highest percentage of infestation (around 35%) being in the Northeast of the country. They create a slew of costly issues in houses and other structures. This ranges from food contamination to structural damage to the property.
They will usually find entry points through cracks or crevices in the home’s foundation and crawl spaces as well as spaces between siding, concrete block, and other small spaces like the ones between the fascia board and roof decking. This makes it very difficult to an untrained eye on where to start and what to look for when
Types of Home Invading Rodents in Pennsylvania
There are a lot of different types of rodents that are indigenous to the eastern region of Pennsylvania but only a few of them that actually cause problems for home and business owners. Property damage is not the only concern, either. Rodents also spread disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, These illnesses can be transmitted to people by contact with rodent excrement, urine, or saliva, or even through rodent bites. People also can be indirectly affected by rodent-borne diseases by being bit by infected ticks, mites, and fleas that have previously fed on the rodents.
Here are the most common rodents that infest homes and businesses in Pennsylvania:
Tips On Preventing A Rodent Infestation
Keep Up With Outdoor Chores
Keeping plants close to your house and failing to rake leaves that build up against the foundation gives tiny rodents an opportunity to hide near your home. While seeking for an opening, they can hide in the foliage and go unnoticed. Instead, keep plants and fallen leaves at least 2 feet away from your house, cut weeds, and never let material pile up against the home.
Examine your home’s exterior for easy access points.
Apply silicone caulk to any cracks and crevices, giving specific attention to places where utility pipes enter the building.
Fill Larger Gaps Within Your Home
Because mice can enter homes through holes the size of a penny and rats through holes the size of a quarter, homeowners should use steel wool to cover bigger gaps within their homes. This hinders rodents’ ability to enter since they can’t chew or gnaw their way through this type of material.
Attic Vents and Chimney Openings Should Be Screened
These are very easy access points to the house for rodents and other small animals. Replace weather-stripping and fix loose mortar around basement foundations and windows while you’re at it!
Bird & Other Animal Feeders Should Be Placed Away From The House
Even though it’s cute to be able to watch woodland critters feed, it’s not a good idea to have a bird feeder or any other animal feeder near the home if you are dealing with a rodent problem. Keep both bird and animal feeders away from the home and install squirrel guards to prevent squirrels and other rodents from accessing the feeder.
Remove Any Water Sources From Both Inside and Outside of the Home.
Check your gutters thoroughly to make sure they are free of any debris, allowing any water that is collected to run freely through them. When not in use, remove birdbaths from the property and always drain wading pools. Finally, any leaking hoses or outside faucets should be repaired. After using pet food, always put it away, and never leave food or water dishes out overnight.
Clean Regularly & Keep Food Sealed
All human and pet food must be kept in the refrigerator or in sealed containers. Any crumbs or spills must be cleaned up as soon as possible. Also, vacuum and mop your floors on a regular basis, and wash your dishes every day.
Get A Professional Pest Expert To Evaluate Your Property
It takes years of experience in pest management to have a keen eye on identifying all the access opportunities rodents might have to your home. Get rid of rodents for good; Contact a Procor pest expert today to get a proper evaluation of your property and we will customize a treatment option specifically for your property’s needs.
