There is an old saying, “you never have just one mouse in the house,” and this statement is often true. If you spot one mouse, more are likely nearby. Rodents live mainly outdoors in spring and summer, but once fall and winter arrive, they attempt to move indoors to find shelter and food. If you are not careful, a home or business can create a perfect environment for rodents to thrive. The possibility of rodent infestation means you need a pest control provider with the right experience to resolve the issue quickly.

Why Rodent Management Is Necessary

The presence of rodents carries serious health and economic implications. Some of the illnesses rodents carry can pose significant health risks. Rodent-borne diseases include rat bite fever, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and Lymphocytic choriomeningitis amongst others. These conditions can cause chronic symptoms, so home or property owners should do their best to keep rodents away from their property. These diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, or through rodent bites. Diseases carried by rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly, through ticks, mites or fleas that have fed on an infected rodent.

In addition to the diseases they carry, rodents also chew and contaminate food. Direct damage to product requires immediate disposal, wasting food and other items.  Prolonged rodent infestation can lead to food contamination, as rodent feces and urine can contain harmful, disease-causing microorganisms. There have been numerous instances where rodents have caused contamination to food product putting people and their health at risk.

Not only are rodents dangerous, but they can also cause significant financial losses as well. A rodent infestation can cause considerable and expensive property destruction and substantial food contamination, especially in restaurants and other businesses. Additionally, rodents love to gnaw and may also target a home or business’s electrical wires or foundation, which at best can damage your home, or at worst, raise the risk of health problems. These financial burdens, along with the serious health and safety risks rodents pose, mean home and property owners should have professionals swiftly handle a rat or mouse infestation.

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Signs of a Rodent Infestation

At Dodson Pest Control, we are highly familiar with a variety of rodents. By understanding the habits and behaviors of rodents, we are equipped to identify and eliminate them. If you notice any of the following signs of a rodent infestation, contact Dodson Pest Control immediately:

  • Spotting a live or dead rodent is the most obvious sign of an infestation
  • Droppings and urine on the floor, counters, or shelves
  • Noticing burrows around the structure
  • Greasy smudges on walls near floor level
  • Gnawing and unexplained damage to wood, carpeting, screen doors, furniture, upholstery, wiring, and food.
  • Worn paths or runways along baseboards, around rafters, and going to and from ground burrows
  • Seeing tracks you cannot explain
  • Unexplained noises in walls and ceilings, like scratching or rustling

Dodson’s Identification Tactics

Dodson’s Rodent Control Techniques

In order for rodent control to work, you need to have a plan of attack. DIY rodent techniques don’t always work because they don’t address the problem at its source. Dodson inspectors can help identify what kind of rodent infestation you are dealing with and develop a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan. Rodent management strategies usually include a mixture of tactics.

Trapping

A Dodson pest management technician may use different kinds of rodent traps. Depending on how serious an infestation is, your Dodson technician will recommend and install a variety of devices to eliminate the issue. Utilizing our experience and expertise, we can safely eliminate the issue using professional tools in a timely manner.  A Dodson technician will also be able to identify the best locations to install devices for optimum results.

Rodent Baiting

Baits are often made up of seeds, grains, peanut butter, fats and other foods mice find attractive. Bait stations can be placed in areas where rodent activity has been seen. By baiting rodents, they are less likely to be a nuisance in your home.

Rodenticides are secured in tamper-resistant bait stations and used in strategic areas can help eliminate rodent activity. This rodent bait is manufactured to eliminate the rodents once consumed. Rodenticides should be handled by professional pest control teams, as they must be strategically placed to avoid harming any pets or inhabitants.

Sanitizing 

Since rodents pose significant health risks, proper sanitation is essential when dealing with a rodent problem. In order to ensure the rodent infestation stays in control, any rodent waste must be removed or disinfected. A Dodson technician can help identify any rodent waste or remains, before removing materials and sanitizing the area.

Rodent-proofing

Rodents prefer to travel along paths and use rodent holes to access food and nesting places. These paths should be eliminated by sealing holes with rodent-proof caulk. We offer rodent exclusion services to seal entry points and rodent-proofing services to make a building less habitable for rodent pests.

Ongoing Recommendations

There are certain steps you can take to try to prevent rodents. By thoroughly sanitizing and proofing your home, you can reduce your risk of developing a rodent infestation. Learn more about Rodent Prevention.

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Professional rodent control is necessary to completely eradicate a rodent infestation, especially if it’s severe. At Dodson Pest Control, we have over 75 years of experience handling rodent problems both large and small. If you think you may have a rodent problem, contact us today for a free inspection.