Discovering rodent activity in your home can be unsettling. Use this guide to learn the signs of rodent activity, the risks associated with an infestation in your attic, the prevention and control methods you can use, and the benefits of seeking professional pest control services. Armed with this information, you will better understand how to address issues with rodents in your attic.
Signs of Rodent Activity in the Attic
One of the most common signs that there are rodents in your attic is the sound of them scurrying. Another sign to watch out for is droppings. Rats and mice will visit other areas of your home, so you might hear evidence of them coming through your walls. While not often noticeable during the day when there are other noises about, the volume they create during the dead of night can be pretty alarming.
Mice produce tiny, spindle-shaped droppings. Rat droppings look similar but are noticeably bigger. Large amounts of droppings could indicate an infestation, so it’s best to call a professional to help with removal, rodent proofing, and tips to prevent a reoccurrence.
Other signs include nests created by the pests, and chew marks on vent covers or electrical wires, which could indicate they are trying to gain access to your home.
Risks of Rodent Infestation in the Attic
Attics are a common hotspot for rodent activity, and if there’s an infestation, it can be challenging to get rid of them.
If you suspect that rodents have come to stay, it is vital to act quickly, as they can cause extensive damage to your home. Rodents like mice and rats will chew through insulation, wires, and other materials. This damage can lead to costly repairs and safety hazards.
In addition, rodents carry diseases that can pose a health risk to humans and pets. They contaminate food or spread the disease via their droppings or urine.
Prevention and Control of Rodent Infestation in the Attic
It is essential to take steps towards prevention to avoid a rodent infestation in your attic. Ensure there are no access points where rodents could gain entry, such as open vents or holes in the wall or roofing material.
Once you’ve identified possible entry points, seal them with steel wool or caulk. Doing this will create a barrier between the outside environment and your home’s attic space. You should also consider investing in rodent-proofing materials. Mesh screens over vents or other openings prevent tiny pests from gaining access to your home.
Outdoor garbage cans should have tightly fitting lids so animals cannot use them as food sources. Keep shrubs near the house trimmed back, as these may provide shelter for potential pests.
Set up traps around the perimeter of the house and attic area to capture any rodents trying to enter or living inside already. If you’re unsure what type of trap is best for your specific situation, contact a professional pest control company.
Rodent services will advise you on how to remove rodents from your attic. Traps come in various sizes, which makes it easy to target big rats or smaller mice, depending on which kind of rodent issue you have in your home. If you prefer to use humane methods, a rodent service can also help in that regard.
Use insulation removal services to expose all potential hiding areas and make it easier to lay traps. If your attic is infested, it’s likely your insulation is ruined and will need replacing anyway. Professional pest control services can also help identify potential nesting sites within your attic space so that they can be sealed off permanently before more animals have time to move in.
Benefits of Professional Pest Control Services
Calling a pest control company is a good option whenever you think you have a rodent infestation in the attic. They are trained experts with the tools and equipment to care for your rodent problem quickly and safely.
Professionals can also provide additional benefits such as attic cleaning, insulation removal, or repair of any damage caused by rodents.
Additionally, they can help identify other entry points where rodents may be able to gain access to your home so that you can prevent future infestations.
Professional pest control companies are also knowledgeable about the different types of rodents that may be living in your attic and what type of traps or baits would work best for each one.
Lastly, they can also advise on how to rodent-proof your attic space so that rodents don’t have a way into your home again. Knowing that your rodent problem is unlikely to reoccur will give you excellent peace of mind.
Are You Ready to Have a Rodent Free Attic?
From the loud noises in your attic to noticing droppings around the house, rodents will always leave signs they are living in your home rent-free. Rodents can carry diseases and cause damage to your home if left unchecked, so it is important to take steps towards prevention and control of rodent infestations.
Common attic pests like mice and rats can access your attic through the tiniest of entry points or by chewing their way in. A pest control company can help inspect entry points and provide practical ways to remove rodents from your home.
Traps in the attic or insulation removal are just some of the methods used to remove rodents from an attic space. Working with a professional rodent exclusion service is often the best way to eliminate rodents in your home once an infestation has occurred.
