Rid your Property of Rodents

Rodents, including mice and rats, are public enemy number one. No one wants to have a rodent problem and, yet, none of us are immune. Every year the rattiest cities are ranked according to census bureau data. Unfortunately our beloved Boston ranked second last year in this survey. This should not come as a huge surprise, though, as four years ago Animal Planet named Boston the second worst rat city in the entire world! So what should we, as homeowners and business owners, do to prevent these infestations, identify an infestation, and rid ourselves of rodents that seemingly are all around us? Let's take a closer look. Identify an Infestation Here are a few things to be on the lookout for in your home or place of business.

• Look for mice and rat droppings around food packages in your pantry, in drawers or cupboards, and under the sink. Commonly rat droppings are black, long, and spindly, similar to a raisin. Mice droppings tend to to be found in small clusters. They are black or brown in nature and tend to look like a small seed.
• Look for nesting material such as shredded paper, cardboard, fabric, or dried organic matter, such as the dirt from your indoor plants.
• Examine food packaging to determine if there have been any holes chewed.
• Inspect your home regularly to be sure there are no holes chewed through walls and floors that create entry points into the home.
• Keep an eye out for grease marks from the common traffic areas where they scurry back and forth.

Preventing Rodents

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens on windows and doors.
• Screen vents for appliances and openings to chimneys.
• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, especially areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.
• Dispose of trash regularly and keep locking lids on the garbage.
• Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. Keeping them organized and clean will also help you to notice an infestation early.
• Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags, and other packages brought into the home and stored in places that you do not frequent often, such as the attic and garage.
• Store firewood at least 15-20 feet away from the house. Inspect the wood before bringing it into your home.
• Keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house so that rodents can not use it as a bridge to your structure.

Do you suspect a pest infestation such as rats or mice in your home or business? Call Pest-End Exterminators today at 1-800-287-4321, 603-382-9644, 978-794-4321, or visit our website to find out more about our services.