Colder weather means rodents like Rats & Mice start looking for warmer locations for nesting and breeding. With Vancouver Island living, we are definitely not alone on the island. The rodent populations on Vancouver Island are extremely healthy which is why home & business owners need to know what to look out for to prevent unwanted rodents from causing issues around their property.
Here are some useful facts to consider so your home stays protected from rats and mice.
Fact #1 - Rats & Mice are PROLIFIC breeders
Did you know that rats and mice reproduce new offspring year-round? These litters usually occur every 30-40 days (depending on conditions). That means these pest populations can quickly get out of control and the level of damage they cause can increase over-night.
Fact #2 - Rodents Enter Structures Through SMALL Openings
For rodents to enter a structure from the outside, they only need the smallest opening to gain the access they need to the inside. For example, the typical adult rat needs an opening the size of a quarter and the typical adult mouse needs the size of a dime. Yes, very small openings are all rodents need to get inside and start causing major issues! Remember that these openings don't have to be right on the ground or in the corner of the garage door. Rodents are exceptional climbers and jumpers! Be on the look-out for small holes that may exist around ventilation, doors, siding, electrical, and so forth. They might only be a few feet from the ground but rats & mice will do everything they can to get inside. Proper exclusion work will solve these type of access points. If you aren't sure how to solve this, speak with a Sentry Pest Control Service Pro today!
Fact #3 - Rodents Carry Disease
For many centuries it has been widely known that rodents carry all sorts of nasty little diseases that would be unwanted inside any home or property. These diseases cause issues to our health and well-being. Diseases such as Salmonella, Leptospirosis, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCMV), Typhus, Tularemia, Hantavirus and even the Plague. Knowing what to look for when it comes to rodent activity & proper implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices can help to keep rats & mice out of the house which will greatly decrease the chance of diseases like this from entering homes and businesses.
"Diseases of the respiratory tract are among the most common health problems encountered in mice and rats. Numerous reports have dealt with inapparent respiratory infections as well as the respiratory diseases due to infectious agents in these animals." – National Library of Medicine
Fact #4 - Rats & Mice Cause Damage
Once inside a structure, rats and mice don't sit back and enjoy their new home. They make themselves extremely comfortable chewing through walls, electrical lines, insulation, appliances, food containers, and so much more. They do this in an effort to establish new nesting sites, obtain new food sources and to stay protected from the elements. Sometimes, rats and mice will even take up residence in your expensive vehicle as there are all sorts of ideal things to chew on inside of those. Be aware of what food and/or garbage you might leave behind in a car. It only takes one time and before you know it, rats and mice have found a way inside and are now chewing into your expensive leather upholstery or delicious wiring under the hood!
Fact #5 - Rodent Infestations Are NOT Necessarily Caused By Poor Sanitation
An increase in a rodent population does not necessarily result from the poor sanitation conditions of an area. The rodent populations solely depend on the amount of conditions conducive to breeding and harboring such as availability of food and nesting. Rats prefer clean fresh food but will eat out of a dumpster if nothing else is available. By the way, let’s face it; we throw away huge amounts of food that is still good, so rodents generally don’t need to look that far for fresh food sources. Homeowners should strive to look for potential attractants and remove them from the area or secure them properly before rats and/or mice start become aware. Keeping vegetation pruned back from foundations and roof lines can also help to prevent rodents from getting into areas around a structure.
Fact #6 - Mice Are NOT Potty-Trained
Okay, so you already knew that. But did you know that a house mouse produces between 40 and 100 droppings per day? Mice droppings are generally the size of a grain of rice whereas rat dropping are 2-3 times that size. In addition, house mice constantly give off micro-droplets of urine as they travel around their territory every day. However, if you’re looking for a silver lining, house mice (like all rodents) do not vomit.
Best Practices To Prevent Rodent Infestations
REMEMBER: Be aware of what is happening around your property! Diligently inspect and get on top of rodent pest issues quickly before they get out of control. Not really sure how or what to look for and need more help. Leave it to Sentry Pest Control for the help you need to keep your home and business free of rats & mice.
For a FREE ESTIMATE - CALL Sentry Pest Control: (778) 356-PEST or visit us at: www.sentrypestcontrol.ca for more information.
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