Rodents carry diseases and chew on wires, which can lead to fire hazards and structural damage. Fortunately, early detection and preventive maintenance can help reduce rodent infestations.

Seal entry points to keep mice and rats out of your home. Store food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs to eliminate sources of attraction. Use humane traps, such as live or electronic traps, that allow for relocation rather than killing rodents. Visit Our Website for more details.
Rodents can make their way into homes through the smallest cracks and holes. These unwelcome guests cause structural damage, fire hazards, and costly home repairs. They also carry disease-causing germs and contaminate food, and they trigger allergies and respiratory issues. It’s crucial to prevent rodent infestations by sealing up all entry points.
Rodents burrow through walls and foundations, nest inside closets, attics, and storage spaces, and chew and destroy wires. They also chew through wood, drywall, and insulation. Store-bought traps and bait may help with small infestations, but they don’t address the underlying problems. It’s vital to seal up the entry points, which can be done by a professional.
The easiest way to prevent rodents from entering your home is to regularly inspect for any openings. These gaps can be filled with caulk and spray foam, and metal mesh is a good choice for larger holes. A thorough inspection should include a look around windows, doors, and the foundation. It should also include vents, chimneys, and exterior access hatches.
Other areas that can be sealed include:
Keeping the yard clean is another important step for protecting your property from rodents. Piles of wood and leaves, cluttered sheds, and overgrown grass all provide hiding spots for rodents and serve as ideal places to build nests. Keep these areas clear of debris and weeds, and regularly trim the yard to reduce the number of possible hiding spots.
Rodents can also gain entry to your house by traveling through sewer lines, garbage disposals, and drainage systems. If any of these are clogged, you should have them cleaned immediately. Drainage systems should be properly maintained and regularly inspected to ensure they are functioning correctly.
If you are noticing signs of a rodent infestation, it’s important to act quickly. Rodents reproduce quickly, and the problem will only get worse if left untreated. Store-bought traps and poisons will only temporarily resolve the issue. A pest control company that specializes in rodent exclusion can identify and repair all entry points, providing long-term protection from rodents. A professional will also know the best types of materials to use in each situation, ensuring a strong and lasting solution.
Keeping Your Yard Clean
Keeping your home and yard clean helps prevent rodents. Rodents are opportunistic feeders that will stick around if they find food or water sources in your home. Store food in airtight containers, wipe up spills immediately, and clean under appliances frequently to reduce the chance of attracting rodents. You should also keep your garbage bins tightly closed and regularly empty them, storing trash outside if possible. Keep pet food and water in airtight containers, and consider feeding pets indoors to avoid leaving traces of food in the yard.
A cluttered yard is a perfect nesting spot for rodents. Getting rid of piles of wood, discarded equipment, and other clutter can make your yard less appealing to rodents. Trimming shrubs and cutting back overgrown weeds can also help reduce potential hiding spots.
Rodents have a very high reproduction rate, and a single pair can quickly become a full infestation. Infestations can cause costly structural damage, and the rodent droppings and dander can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms in children and sensitive adults. Businesses that experience rodent infestations may also face health code violations, shutdowns, and lost customers.
Rodents can chew through wiring, which can increase the risk of fires and lead to expensive repairs. They can also chew through pipes and ductwork, and they can contaminate stored food and personal belongings. In addition, they carry diseases such as Hantavirus and Salmonella.
Rodent control can help prevent an infestation before it becomes uncontrollable, but you must remain vigilant to keep them away. Routine maintenance, vigilance, and prompt action can prevent rodents from entering your home, and implementing preventive measures will help keep them away for good. If you suspect a rodent problem, seek professional help right away to eliminate them before they spread and cause further damage. Contact our rodent control experts to identify entry points and provide solutions designed to safeguard your property for years to come.
Keeping Your Garbage Area Clean
Rodents are attracted to overflowing garbage bins, which provide food and shelter. They are also attracted to food scraps and crumbs, so regular disposal of garbage and sweeping strays from the ground can help to prevent rodent infestation. If you must use a garbage can, make sure it has a lid and that the lid is secure to keep rodents out. Also, keep food in airtight containers to prevent rodents from finding it.
If you suspect that you have a rodent problem, it’s important to take action right away. Every day that passes means more rodents are reproducing, spreading disease and feeling at home in their new nest. If you see any of the following signs, contact a professional immediately:
Droppings in the kitchen or attic. Chewed wires, wood, or food packaging. Scurrying noises at night.
The changing seasons of upstate New York create a rich habitat for rodents, which can threaten our homes and livelihoods. These mice, rats and squirrels can contaminate food, cause extensive damage to structures, and spread diseases like leptospirosis, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and salmonella.
In urban areas, high populations of people and pets create ideal conditions for rodents to thrive. Effective rodent pest control requires a combination of preventative measures, proactive monitoring and response, and year-round pest prevention.
Rats and mice are natural intruders, but you can help prevent them by taking proactive measures to deter them. Seal up entry points, regularly inspect the exterior of your home for signs of rodents, keep your yard clean, and use an eco-friendly, safe rodent repellent to keep them away.
Rodents are notoriously difficult to remove, especially from the inside of your house. They can chew through walls, ceilings, and even electrical wiring, leaving dangerous holes behind. Rodents can also carry diseases and contaminate food and surfaces with their droppings and urine, and they can transmit fleas, ticks, mites, and other parasites that can cause illness in humans and pets. Using natural rodent deterrents and hiring a professional, experienced rodent exterminator are the best ways to protect your home from invasive rodents.
Repellents
Rodents are a common problem for homeowners, posing health and safety risks in the home and yard. To prevent rodents from entering the house, many turn to non-toxic repellents like sprays and pellets that promise to deter them with natural ingredients instead of chemicals. But do these products actually work?
Many of the most popular natural rat repellents focus on essential oils, with peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil topping the list. They’re formulated to overwhelm a rodent’s sensitive sense of smell, disrupting their ability to find food and avoid predators. Other popular homemade repellents include putting up cotton balls soaked in these oils, or applying them directly around the property.
Other common home remedies include rubbing alcohol and vinegar, which contain compounds that can dehydrate and kill rodents. These solutions are often sprayed in areas where rats are likely to enter the house, such as garages and basements. While some report early success, the results can dissipate quickly as the scent fades and rodents become accustomed to the smell.
Another option is to plug in electronic repellents that emit high-frequency sounds that are undetectable by humans but can disturb the rodents’ nervous systems. This makes it difficult for them to communicate, nest, and search for food. While these devices have shown some efficacy in controlled laboratory settings, they tend to be less effective for homeowners.
Finally, some homeowners try to use mothballs and other chemical-based products. These are typically toxic to both rats and mice, with naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene being the most commonly used substances. While they can be effective in some cases, these fumes are dangerous for children and pets, and may linger after the rodents have left the area.
Natural repellents can provide some short-term relief from a rat infestation, but they’re often insufficient to stop rodents from causing damage and creating hazards. It’s best to employ a combination of methods, including sealing entry points and removing food sources, to achieve long-term success. Wilco offers a variety of animal repellents, including ultrasonic devices that use electromagnetic or sonic technology to create an unpleasant environment for rodents.

