How can you be the king or queen of your castle if you lack control over the occupants? And we’re not talking about your spouse and your kids. An invasion of rodents can quickly shatter your domestic peace and leave you on edge, worried about how many critters may be running around on the roof or living in your attic.
Homeowners in the greater Jacksonville, FL area often must contend with rodent issues in the cooler months. Infestations tend to occur in colder months because the rodents are in search of a more comfortable place to stay warm and dry and reproduce.
You can take steps to keep rodents away from your home, but in cases where the problem has become intractable, it pays to work with a pest control professional to get the job done right the first time.
Seeking Shelter In Winter
Like any warm-blooded animal, rodents will react to the changing seasons by seeking warmth and refuge wherever they can find it. Homeowners in Florida often find that their homes’ attics become the shelter of choice for rats and squirrels.
Rodents not only get a chance to come in from the cold, they also find much-needed protection in the attic so they can mate and reproduce. A roof rat can have as many as 8 litters per year, each time giving birth to about 6-8 rats. Those babies themselves mature sexually within about three months after being born, which is how the population explosion begins.
Burrowing In Insulation
Rodents cause mischief and damage property as they seek to find a comfortable shelter. They tend to burrow their way into insulation when invading a home, which is why attics are such appealing places for them.
To safeguard your property and to keep rodents from coming back, you need to seal up all possibly entry points including holes and cracks in construction gaps, soffits ends, dormer ends and more. Rats seek higher ground for safety and make a beeline for people’s attics. A roof rat is fast at climbing and can get inside your attic through a hole as small as a quarter, according to the Rodent Control report at Florida Health.
Unfortunately, rodents can be aggressive and may attack people trying to eradicate them. If they have made their way into the insulation, it is time to call in the professionals to get rid of the disease-carrying creatures.
Contamination From Waste Products
Mice and rats are responsible for spreading more than 35 diseases and humans can become infected quite easily.
Infection is spread when people handle or otherwise come in contact with rodent saliva, urine or feces. Rodents also spread diseases when they carry fleas or ticks and these bugs bite a person.
The key to discouraging rodents from hanging around your property is to avoid leaving out food for your pets, stopping up holes and cracks and trapping any rodents you see inside and outside of your home.
Despite your efforts to contain the problem, it can be unnerving to realize that rodents are actually moving into your house and setting up shop in the attic. Before rodents make life more difficult for your family, you should know that the professionals at Bug Out have plenty of experience in keeping rodents out of homes and eradicating those that have already made it inside. For more information on our rodent control services, please contact the experts at Bug Out today.
