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Did you know that October is rodent awareness month? With cooler weather and winter just around the corner, many rodents, from rats to mice and even squirrels, are looking for warm homes to hunker down in during the winter.
For Hendersonville homeowners, this is nothing to celebrate. Here’s what you should know about how rodents get in and what problems they cause, how to prevent them, and what to do if you’re already having rodent issues on your Hendersonville property.
How Do Rodents Get In Hendersonville Homes And What Problems Do They Cause?
Rodents don’t need a lot of room to get inside your Hendersonville home. House mice, for instance, only need to squeeze through a hole that’s the size of a dime, and rats only need a quarter-sized gap. Not to mention, some rodents, like roof rats, are excellent climbers and may use low-hanging tree branches to climb onto your roof and get in that way.
Most of the time, rodents come inside your home because they’re looking for the same three things: food, water, and warm shelter. When the weather cools in months like October, rodents know that winter is coming and may become especially aggressive about invading homes.
Once they’ve made it inside, rodents aren’t shy about causing problems – especially when it comes to spreading diseases such as:
- Hantavirus
- Leptospirosis
- Plague
- Tularemia
- Salmonella
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Even if they’re disease-ridden, many rodents can be infected with other parasites, like ticks or fleas, which may start their own infestations in your home.
You’ve also got to worry about property damage too. When they’re entering your house or looking for a well-hidden spot to nest and reproduce, rodents can chew through your walls, parts of your foundation, and even your electrical wiring. They could cause hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage before you realize they’re there.
How To Prevent Rodents In Hendersonville
While rodents aren’t the easiest pest to keep away, there are a couple of things you can do to avoid luring them in, such as:
- Block off any holes or gaps that rodents can squeeze through by using rodent-proof materials like steel wool
- Replace any ripped or torn window and door screens
- Trim back low-hanging tree branches and overgrown shrubs near your home
- Don’t leave food sitting out overnight, and be sure to deal with dirty dishes on a regular basis
- Keep food stored in airtight containers, including pet food
- Keep your garbage cans sealed
Of course, professional pest control is always a good option in addition to these at-home solutions.
How To Handle Rodent Infestations In Hendersonville
Although the prevention tips above are an excellent place to start, these tips won’t do much if you’ve got an existing rodent problem. Once they’re inside your home, house mice and rats aren’t going to be eager to leave. It’s always a good idea to leave total rodent control up to the professionals, like those of us at All-American Pest Control.
We’ve got more than enough experience dealing with Hendersonville’s most stubborn pests, and your rodent infestation won’t be an exception. If you’ve discovered a rodent problem or just think you may have one, don’t wait any longer. Contact us at All-American Pest Control to learn more about how our rodent control services work and how to schedule an inspection.