WHAT TO DO ABOUT RODENT SIGHTINGS AROUND YOUR AIKEN HOME

Nothing puts you more on edge than discovering that you’ve got an unwanted house guest in your Aiken home – like a rodent. For Aiken homeowners, most rodents that you’ll find around your property fall into one of three categories:

Roof rats: Roof rats, also called black rats and ship rats, are skinnier, longer, and have the capacity to climb trees and jump onto roofs.

Norway rats: Norway rats, or brown rats, are rounder and heavier than roof rats, so they usually enter homes through the basement or ground floor.

House mice: House mice have rounder bodies, lighter underbellies, and usually only grow to be less than half the length of the average roof rat or Norway rat.

Identifying the rodent that’s terrorizing your Aiken home is only half the battle, and the next step is figuring out what to do about it. Here’s what Aiken homeowners should know about the signs of a mouse or rat problem, the damage they can cause to your house, how to get rid of them, and when it’s time to get help from residential pest control professionals.

How To Tell If You Have Mice Or Rats In Your Aiken House

Because rodents are clever and hide well, their presence isn’t always obvious to homeowners, especially in the beginning. However, there are plenty of indicators that can point towards having a rodent problem in your home, such as:

• Droppings: Around areas where there’s more rodent activity, these pests can leave droppings behind. This is one of the most obvious signs that you’ve got a problem on your hands. Mouse droppings tend to be smaller, at less than ¼ inch, while rat droppings can be up to ½ inch. 
• Unusual noises: Rodents tend to be active at night, and if you’re hearing scratching or squeaking while you try to sleep, mice or rats could be the culprit. 
• Urine: You may not smell it as much with small infestations, but after rodents urinate, a musky, strong smell can linger around your home. 
• Gnawed holes and marks: You can find tiny holes and gaps where rodents have chewed through walls, foundations, or other materials in your home. 
• Chew marks: Just like they may create holes, rodents may also leave chew marks where they’ve tried to bite into food products, cans, or packages.

The Damage Rodents Can Cause To Aiken Homes

Unfortunately, having rodents is far from harmless, and these pests can do a lot of damage and destruction. Mice and rats can also carry a variety of different diseases, including:

• Hantavirus
• Tularemia
• Plague
• Salmonella
• Leptospirosis

In addition to the diseases and bacteria they may spread through their droppings, rodents can also cause property damage when they chew through wires, walls, and other materials around your home. Since these critters live in the wild, there’s always the potential for them to pick up parasites, like fleas, ticks, or mites, that can infest your home and pets too.

How Can I Get Rid Of Rodents In My House In Aiken?

While the best way to get rid of rodents in your Aiken home is with professional guidance from Aiken Pest Control, there are a few things you can do to prevent them, such as:

• Avoid leaving leftovers and other open containers of food sitting out.
• Clean dirty dishes as soon as possible and don’t leave them sitting overnight.
• Use a rodent-proof material, like steel wool, to block off any entry points in your foundation or walls.
• Keep any tree branches or shrubs trimmed back from the side of your house.
• Avoid leaving yard debris on your property, and make sure you’re inspecting these items before you bring them inside.
• Address standing water and other moisture issues as soon as you notice them.

Where Can I Find Effective Rodent Control Services In Aiken

Since the best way to get rid of rodents is by enlisting help from professionals, you’ll need to find a reputable rodent control service – and that’s where Aiken Pest Control can help. We’ve dealt with rodent infestations of every size, and we’ve got reliable treatments to safely and effectively remove these critters from your home. 

If you’re noticing signs of a rat or mouse problem, call us today at Aiken Pest Control to learn more about our rodent control services or to schedule an inspection of your Aiken home.