Born to survive, rats and mice are consummate opportunists who will take advantage of anything that benefits them.  When the weather starts to turn cold and wet, a nice, warm home, with plenty of food and water, will suit their needs just fine. If you don't take the appropriate precautions you may just discover that your new "tenants" are moving in, not just for the winter, but for an extended stay.  However you don't need to panic.  Below are some things you can do to protect your home and send the rodents packing before they invade it:
 
1. Eliminate outdoor harborage such as construction debris, old containers, piles of wood or anything else that may offer shelter.  Be sure to trim ground cover plants, like Ivy, at least one food from your foundation and walls.
 
2. Be sure that all trees and shrubs are pruned back so that they are at least 6 feet from your eaves to keep Roof Rats from jumping on to your roof and gaining access from above.
 
3.  Seal or screen all gaps, holes, vents (like those in crawl spaces, garages and attics) or other openings into the structure.  Be sure that all doors and windows close tightly and are properly screened.  Be sure to take note of how well your garage, roll-up doors close.  Make proper adjustment, improvements or repairs to make sure they are tight.  Adult rats only require a 1/2 inch opening to gain access.  Mice only require 1/4 of an inch.
 
4. Clean up and properly dispose of fallen fruits and vegetables or any other potential food sources.  Never leave pet food outdoors.
 
If your home has a current infestation It is a prudent course to have your pest professional do a thorough inspection to identify the rodent involved, it's access points and the areas of activity so that an appropriate plan can be developed for effective control. 
 
For assistance, call us at one of the numbers listed above or contact us online.

They sneak into your home, in ways you wouldn't expect and steal from you quietly.  At first you may not notice, but eventually you realize the loss; and when you do, you may discover that it's sizeable and that the infestation is well established.
 
Your first indication will usually be an adult insect such as a small beetle or moth in your pantry or a nearby room.  In the case of Indian Meal Moths the larvae and their silken webs, will most-likely be found in the actual product itself.  Sometimes you may find mature larvae crawling across a wall or other surface looking for a secure place to pupate and become an adult.  I've seen cases where large numbers of all four life stages of these moths (egg, larva, pupa and adult) were contained in enclosed packages, living happily on the victim's food.  This, however, is the exception.  In the case of beetles, such as Confused Flour Beetles, or Drug Store Beetles, eggs, larvae, pupae and adults are routinely found in the product.  In both cases the products are contaminated; by the insects themselves and the waste products they generate.
                
Pantry Pests are brought into the home, hidden in packages.  In spite of all efforts to the contrary, it's not unusual for a small number of these pests to, occasionally, occur in the supply chain and make it to the point of purchase.

 

Ridding your home of these pests will require consistent and diligent effort, especially if the infestation is well established.  The insects are capable of living for weeks without food so there is the possibility of reinfestation long after you have taken steps to clean out your pantry.  Having your pantry and adjoining rooms treated by a professional will give you an advantage in getting rid of the pests.  Even after you have taken these steps it is recommended that, for several months afterward, you store your products in air-tight containers and keep them in a refrigerator or freezer, as appropriate, to prevent a recurrence.
 
To schedule an inspection and treatment  contact us online or call us at one of the numbers shown above.