Avoiding Rodent Problems This Fall In Maine
Let’s face it, as the leaves change colors and the chillier, apple-picking, corn-mazing, pumpkin-carving weather arrives, many of us can’t wait to embrace fall and all its accouterments. Of course, there are those folks that hate winter and feel like Autumn is simply a stepping stone into snow, ice, and cold. Regardless of if you're a fan or not, fall is coming and with it, the increasing problem of rodents.
Crisper weather sends rodents indoors
While it’s true that rodents are a year-round pest problem in Maine, it’s also accurate to say this particular pest issue becomes magnified in the fall. That’s because rodents are looking for refuge from the cold winter ahead and it has to have everything they need to survive – food, water, and warm shelter. Unfortunately, our homes and year-round camps fit that bill just fine.
More than a nuisance, mice and rats are a threat to health and property
By coming into contact with or consuming foods that have been contaminated by the droppings or feces of an infected rodent, you have the potential to expose yourself to serious health threats. Hantavirus and salmonellosis are two major ones that come to mind.
Rodent infestations put homes at risk for electrical fires thanks to their chewing on wires. They also chew through and contaminate other building materials including drywall and attic insulation. Belongings stored in cardboard boxes, furniture, and other household items you wouldn’t even associate with rodents may also be damaged if rodents gain a foothold.
They don’t need much space to get in either
Mice and rats can squeeze through some pretty small holes by flattening their bodies. This makes any gap, crack, or opening on the exterior of the house a potential entry point.
Rodent-proofing tips designed to keep mice and rats out this fall and all year-round
Seal every crack, gap, or opening on the outside of your home using caulk and steel wool.
Cover attic vents and windows with screens
Install a chimney cap
Install or replace weather stripping
Repair leaking pipes and appliances
Eliminate moisture issues
Store firewood several feet from the house and up off the ground
Trim tree limbs and shrubs so that they don’t touch any part of the house
Practice good sanitation both indoors and outdoors
Remove clutter in your yard and in your home
What to do if you already have a mouse in the house
If it’s too late and you’ve already found a mouse in the house, contact Advanced Pest Solutions. Providing effective home pest control services in Chelsea, Auburn, and throughout central and coastal Maine, we’re ready to exterminate your rodent problem quickly and completely. Plus, when you sign up for ongoing service, you don’t have to worry about other common household pests, we’ll take care of those too!