Rats and mice are some of the most troublesome and damaging rodents in the United States. They eat and contaminate food, damage structures and property, and transmit parasites and diseases to animals and humans. Rodents live and thrive under a wide variety of climates and conditions and some can enter your home through a void the size of a dime.
After a thorough inspection to determine which species we’re dealing with, we’ll create an effective program to keep your home rodent-free.
As the cooler weather makes its way to the Atlanta-area, rodents are actively looking for a warm place to nest. Your home sweet home is the perfect location for these hairy, disease-carrying varmints to infest. While rats and mice are present all year round, indoor infestations typically begin to peak as the temperatures fall in October and November.
Inspect-All Services has decades of experience keeping homes happy during the holiday season by successfully eliminating these unwanted houseguests.
During the colder months, mice and rats pose a constant threat to residential and commercial establishments. Like other mammals, rodents do not enjoy cooler temperatures. Even temperatures as moderate as those in the 40- to 50-degree range, can send them in search of a warm nesting place. You can bet that residing in your home—a warm environment with ample food sources and shelter from the elements—will be at the top of rodents' wish lists this winter.
There are several methods that Inspect-All Services uses to eliminate rodents. Trapping and/or baiting are a couple of proven ways to rid a home of an infestation. However, the single most effective method is rodent exclusion construction. Call on one of our expertly-trained pest professionals to perform a free rodent exclusion inspection of your home and provide you with an estimate for the construction work needed to permanently fix the problem. From that point on, you will never have to worry about rodents again.
Our rodent control program has four important steps:
Sometimes rats and mice get indoors, creating a nuisance. They damage property, contaminate food and transmit diseases. Therefore, effective control methods are essential. With our experienced eradication methods and advice, it won’t be long before your home is free of rodents.
Cleanup inside and store food in glass and metal containers. Floors should be swept often to deny rats and mice food. Garbage should be placed in trash cans with lids. Food and pet food should not be left out overnight unprotected. Mice hoard food in inaccessible areas, so removal of known supplies may not reduce mouse infestations immediately. The control of weeds around the outside entryways is also an important factor.
If necessary, we’ll place traps along walls and in paths where rodents travel. Some baits for traps are: peanut butter, pineapple, nuts, doughnuts, cake, fried bacon, raisins, chocolate and gum drops. Rats are attracted more to ground meat or fish.
Poison bait can be used along with trapping to increase capture and kill. Mice tend to nibble, so expect a longer period of time to get control of them with poison. Also, poison may cause rodents to die in inaccessible areas leaving unpleasant odors of decaying carcasses.
Rodent exclusion is a vital part of a complete rodent control program. The objective is to close all present and potential openings which may serve as entries for rats and mice. This means changing building details to prevent rats and mice from entering. It is important not to seal rodents indoors until baiting, trapping and removal is completed.
We’ll perform a thorough inspection of the premises and locate openings larger than one-quarter of an inch, and openings where utilities enter. We’ll check floor drains and sewer pipe grates. Make sure doors, windows and screens are fitting tightly. Other possible rodent entries we’ll consider are transoms and letter drops.
The materials for rodent proofing should be rodent resistant, such as sheet metal, heavy wire mesh, or concrete.
Finally, after we’ve gained control of the problem, we’ll continue to monitor both inside and outside your residence to make sure your property is rodent free. Remember, re-infestation can occur inside rodent proofed buildings when doors and windows are left open. Re-inspection is necessary to be certain rodent proofing remains effective. This process must be repeatedly evaluated to assure control. If you notice rats on the outside of the property, locate their nest source as well as their sources of food and water and eliminate if possible.