There are few things more alarming than discovering that rodents are living in your home. Rodent control can be a challenge especially in the winter.  Cold and harsh winter weather attract rodents, such as mice and rats, to your home where they can easily find food, water, and shelter.

Although they may be small and fuzzy, rodents are not welcome house guests. They carry disease, contaminate food, and cause home damage. If you notice rodents in your home, it is important to call a professional exterminator and have them removed immediately.

Signs of Rodent Infestation

The most obvious sign of a rodent problem is seeing a mouse or rat in your home. However, rodents like to hide, so here are some other tell-tale signs of a rodent infestation:

● Rodent droppings

● Holes chewed in clothes and furniture

● Scurrying/scratching sounds in walls and ceiling

● Nests made from fabric, paper, insulation, and other soft materials

Rodents can multiply swiftly and cause serious damage to your home if the problem is not addressed. If you notice signs of infestation, call a professional pest control service and take steps to remove them immediately.

Removing Rodents from Your Home

The first step in eliminating rodents from your home is to remove their sources of food, water, and shelter. Afterward, you can set bait and/or traps to catch and kill the rodents. A combination of bait and traps is recommended for efficient removal.

Bait: Mouse and rat bait stations are typically boxes that contain rodent-killing poison. Bait stations cover the poison making them effective and safe for use in homes with children and pets.

Traps: Mouse traps are most effective when you know where the rodents are living. Varieties of traps include snap traps, glue traps, and humane live-capture mouse traps. Use food such as peanut butter, unsalted seeds, bananas, or apples as bait.

If you’d rather not set baits and traps yourself, call a professional exterminator. Professionals will eliminate the problem more quickly and efficiently, preventing further damage. With the help of a professional, you can also identify the root cause of the problem and prevent future infestations.

Mice and Rat Prevention

Removing rodents from your home should coincide with steps to prevent future infestations. Steps you should take to protect your home include:

● Seal openings and cracks in walls and outside your home

● Caulk cracks in windows, doors, and foundation

● Garbage containers should have tight-fitting lids

● Keep pet food sealed and out of reach

● Remove landscaping debris, wood, or boxes near your home

When you hire expert pest control services, they can help identify entry points and food sources that may be attracting rodents to your home.

Pest Control Solutions

Maine Bed Bug and Pest Control is a family-owned business dedicated to protecting your home from all kinds of rodents, insects, and pests. We offer a full line of pest management solutions for residential and commercial customers throughout Maine.

In addition to rodent and wildlife control, we also provide flea, cockroach, bedbug, termite, and ant pest control using eco-friendly treatment methods. If you need help protecting your home from pests, call Maine Bed Bug and Pest Control at (207) 650-8654.