Rodents can present a serious threat when they get into your West Palm Beach home or business. They spread harmful bacteria and parasitic worms. They leave their waste and urine where they sleep and in all of the many places they explore. They carry ticks, fleas, and other organisms that are also capable of spreading diseases. If all of this isn't enough to not want mice and rats around, they chew holes in building materials, tear up insulation and wallpaper, damage stored furniture and clothing, and gnaw on wires.
In light of all the many ways mice and rats can make you sick and damage your property, it is good that you're taking the time to read this quick guide to effective rodent control in West Palm Beach. Here's what you need to know.
Why Rodents Come Into Your Yard
The first step in getting control of rodents is understanding why they come onto your property. If you alter conditions in your yard, you can make it less appealing to rodents. Fewer rodents exploring your property will result in fewer rodents getting inside.
The Wild
Rodents feel more comfortable in a yard that feels like nature. They want tall grass, leaves on the ground, stick litter, and other organic matter littered about. Keeping your lawn trimmed and free of organic debris can deter rodents.
Hiding Places
When a mouse or rat considers coming into your yard, it may make a decision based on the availability of hiding places. There are many places a rodent can hide. They may get under an object left in the yard. They may get under a structure. They may get into landscaping that is dense enough to conceal them. Removing lawn clutter, fencing off hiding places, and keeping landscaping trimmed will go a long way toward reducing rodent activity.
Water Sources
All animals need a drink. If your property has puddles, mice and rats will take notice. Address conditions that cause water to collect. Some common conditions that lead to standing water are clogged or damaged gutter systems, heavy tree canopy, dense vegetation, compacted soil, and objects that act as containers for rainwater.
Food Sources
Mice and rats eat many things and they aren't nearly as picky as you are. They'll easily find a meal in a trash can, dumpster, or trash heap. They'll eat vegetables in a garden, fruit from a fruit tree, and berries from a bush. A desirable food source for both are seeds that have fallen from a bird feeder. If you have a bird feeder, be sure to put it at least 20 feet from your exterior walls. These are just some of the many food sources that can be on your property. Examine your yard and consider rodent food sources, including unexpected sources, such as dog droppings. Yes, dog droppings. While certainly not a preferred food source, they will eat it in a pinch.
Why Rodents Get Inside
When rodents explore the exterior of a home or business, there are a few reasons they will get inside. The most important is their attraction to tight spaces. Mice and rats like to be squeezed between two hard surfaces. If you have a gap around a pipe, you're just asking for a rodent to get in.
If you have a crack around a windowpane, mice and rats will take advantage of it. Keep in mind that an adult mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime and an adult rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter. Do a detailed inspection of your exterior and seal every entry point you find.
Why Rodents Are Often In Attics
Another important piece to the rodent control puzzle is understanding why you're likely to find mice and rats in your attic. This is because most rodents are good jumpers and good climbers. They can scale the side of your exterior wall. They can work their way up a downspout. They can jump onto your roof by way of an overhanging branch. Remove vegetation and lattices, put wire mesh in downspouts, and trim branches away from your roofline to keep rodents off your roof.
Exclusion & Trapping
If you want complete control of rodents, the best solution is to invest in professional rodent control. We can assist you with this. Contact Native Pest Management for rodent exclusion and trapping services. We use tamper-resistant traps and industry-leading strategies to get complete control of mice and rats. Reach out to us today to get started with expert home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.
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