95% of homes in Manassas Virginia and surrounding areas have mice nesting in their attics. An attic is a great location for mice. The mice and rodents have no predators and the insulation is perfect for nesting material. With so many homes being infested by rodents like mice and rats, what are the chances that your home is one of them?
Rodents have the ability to get their water supply metabolically. Their bodies draw moisture from the food they eat and so they do not need to venture too far from their attic to survive. Once they have gained access they will stay and multiply very quickly creating hazardous conditions for your home and health.
Rodents are No Small Problem
Rodents are one of the most widespread pests, infesting approximately 21 million U.S. homes each winter. These potential intruders may be small in size, but they can pose big problems once inside. While most homeowners might be generally familiar with rats and mice, people usually don’t understand or realize the dangerous impacts they can have on our wellbeing and homes until it is too late.
Rodents spread disease
Mice contaminate the food that is left out. Mice and rats rummage through garbage and crawl through unsanitary rooms like bathrooms and sewers. They can pick up bacterias on their fur, hands, and feet; and spread these bacterias to the things they touch. Most wild rodents can transmit 35 different diseases.
A mouse or rat can make 25,000 droppings in a 12 month period. These droppings and their urine contain bacteria and diseases too.
How did the rodents get inside?
Rodents such as mice and rats can cause serious issues if they find their way indoors. Their long, flexible and cylindrical body shape allows them to fit through tiny cracks and crevices. In fact, rats can maneuver through holes as small as a quarter and mice can squeeze through openings the size of a dime. Don’t believe it? See for yourself!
How to get rid of rodents
Control is best achieved with a combination of both professional rodent baiting or trapping and exclusion to limit mice entering the home. Pest Proof Pest Management can provide trapping programs, as well as repairs referred to as exclusion, to limit the numbers of mice entering the home. To prevent an infestation, seal up any holes or cracks larger than a quarter with silicone caulk and be sure that all windows and vents are screened.
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from the building and cut back limbs overhanging the roof. Rats are drawn to any accessible food sources, so clean up fruit that may fall from trees in the yard and keep garbage in tightly covered receptacles. Be sure to also store pet food and other dry food in sealed containers. Additionally, eliminate any outdoor sources of water such as leaky sprinkler heads, pet water dishes, and birdbaths.
Cleaning out the attic
Seeing an actual rodent, dead or alive, is a telltale sign of a potential problem
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The presence of droppings around the home. Fresh roof rat droppings are soft and moist, whereas old droppings are hard and dried
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Seeing gnaw marks, damaged goods, nests or greasy rub marks also indicates rodent activity
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Noises in the attic or house walls and damaged electrical wires
Before looking in the attic for a rodent infestation, put a medical-grade mask on to prevent the inhalation of bacteria from the possible droppings and urine. If you find indicators of an infestation, it is best to call Pest Proof Pest Management who can not only humanely remove the wildlife but remediate the attic and seal your home against future attempts.
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