Every Fall and Winter season, 21 million U.S. homes are invaded by rodents moving indoors in search of food and shelter. Mice and rats are capable of transmitting diseases as well as damaging property. This makes rodents a health and property threat. Rodents can cause property damage by chewing through drywall, insulation and wiring in your walls or vehicles. Damaged wiring is not only costly to repair, but poses a fire hazard.
Rodents carry a diversity of diseases that can infect humans. Hantavirus infects 175,000 people and kills about 1,750 per year, but isn’t the biggest threat. Leptospirosis infects about 1.7 million people per year. This virus also kills more than 100,000 people after bouts of fever, muscle aches, vomiting, and kidney or liver failure. Rats, squirrels, and other rodents also carry Yersinia pestis, better known as plague. This medieval virus still infects between two and 10 people in the United States each year. The more directly titled rat-bite fever is another rodent-borne illness with global reach.
If you are having a rodent issue that may have gotten out of control, we can help. Give us a call at 520-886-3029 or visit essentialpest.com and complete an online form.
3 Things in Your Garage that Bring Rodents
Clutter
It is often hard to resist using your garage space as storage overflow, but creating chaotic piles—especially along walls or in corners—lays the right conditions for mice and other rodents to move right in. Even if you're not the type to keep odds and ends where you park your car, keep in mind that useful seasonal items such as outdoor furniture cushions, patio umbrellas, or pool toys can also create an inviting home for pests.
A Sitting Car
Now days, many people are working from home and have slowed their social activity do to the pandemic. Some two car families may only be using one car the majority of the time. Even if this means you're saving a ton of money on gas, leaving your vehicle just sitting in your garage could be allowing mice to turn your ride into their residence.
If you realize your vehicle is staying put more often these days, parking it in a well-lit area would be a great idea.
Pet Food
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to keep your furry or feathered friends well-fed. Unfortunately, if your garage doubles as a dining room for your four-legged friends or as a storage area for your birdfeeder supply, you could unintentionally be setting up a buffet for mice and other rodents, too.
If you are noticing rodent activity and want to nip it in the bud before things get out of hand, Essential Pest Control can help. We specialize in rodent control, and pack rat den removal with multiple trapping methods and bates. Essential Pest Control- Call today! 520-886-3029
Pests Following you into Fall
You are probably excited for the fall season and the cooler weather that comes with it. Well, along with the cooler temps comes the pests. We've listed 5 of the pests in fall that will potentially pay you a visit this season.
One of the most difficult to control, bed bugs infest at a rapid rate and have been on the rise in recent years. About the size of an apple seed, bed bugs are nocturnal in nature and are typically found in mattresses, suitcases, boxes and shoes. While bed bugs are not known to spread any diseases, they can leave behind itchy welts on their victims and multiply quickly. If you suspect that you might have bed bugs, call a pest professional immediately.
Rodents like mice and rats are common pest in fall. These intruding rodents, like many creatures thrive on food and shelter. To prevent rodents from entering the home, keep all food sealed in airtight containers and seal cracks around the foundation of the home. Even the smallest crack provides easy access for mice since they can squeeze through holes the size of a nickel. Keep in mind, rodents can bring fleas, mites, ticks and lice into the home.
Various types of ants are typically found in and around the home during the fall. Although most species of ants are considered a nuisance and a pest in, odorous house ants can contaminate food and carpenter ants can damage the structure of a home. To prevent an ant infestation, seal all cracks in and around the home, eliminate sources of standing water and keep food sealed in tight containers. Additionally, keeping tree branches cut back from the home also prevents ants from marching inside.
While most think cockroaches are just a frightening nuisance, it's important to know that cockroaches have an ability to spread 33 different types of bacteria and cause asthma in children, making them one of the most dangerous pests on our list. They typically hide near pipes and drains, so it is important to keep kitchens and bathrooms sanitized. Vacuuming frequently will also help prevent cockroach infestations.
Lady Beetles and Boxelder bugs are two of fall's most active pests, yet they are rarely discussed. These beetles feed on small pests like Aphids and White Flies and Boxelder Bugs feed on fallen seeds and trees and live on rocks, trees and buildings. Although these pests are considered a nuisance, they have the potential to stain clothing, curtains and other fabrics with their droppings and emit a strong odor if crushed. Vacuum often and seal cracks around the home to prevent them from entering the home. Damaged screens on doors and windows should also be repaired or replaced.
The team at Essential Pest Control has expertise in identifying and eliminating all sorts of pest in fall that bother Tucson homes and businesses. Call us at (520) 886-3029 to request an estimate for your property. We have a broad service area throughout the Green Valley, Vail, and Oro Valley regions.
3 Ways to Keep Rodents Out
Here are 3 Ways to Keep Rodents Out - 2021 Edition
Did you know that rats are capable of entering structures through a hole smaller than a quarter? The mouse, on the other hand, can squeeze into holes as small as a dime. Unfortunately, old homes are full of cracks, holes, nooks, and crannies for these pests to wriggle through. This could explain your recent rodent infestation; however, it's also an important part of the solution for keeping rodents out.
When you put rodent control in control of conquering your unwanted colony of mice or rats, you can rest assured that you'll be rid of them soon. The next step in the eternal struggle between man and mouse is to ensure they never come back. If you're tired of setting mouse traps, here are some excellent preventative measures you can take against rodent kind.
Find The Gaps
Mice can get into your home very easily, and they can be just as annoying to deal with as rats. To prevent both from entering, find any and all quarter-inch holes that lead to the outside of your house and seal them shut. Remember, all of these efforts could be for nothing if you forget to close the front door, literally. Make sure to check screen windows, the gap between your front door and the floor, and any other forgettable locations that could be vulnerable to intrusion.
Befriend Neighborhood Cats
If you aren't ready to adopt a fluffy little kitty, or you're unsure about how much you actually like cats despite their internet fame, there's another way. While putting little slices of meat and cans of tuna around your house at random will probably just attract more mice to your property, feeding the neighborhood cats is a time honored rodent control technique. Let the felines flock to your yard and allow nature to run its course. If any mouse attempts to enter, your home will be well guarded by hunting cats on the prowl.
Food Safety
This is probably good advice in general, but when you leave food out, animals will try to eat it. This is true regardless of what you do to stop them. No amount of mercenary cats or scrupulous house sealing are going to stop a mouse that smells food and warmth. Seal your food before throwing it away, only eat in the kitchen or dining areas, and don't leave scraps of decomposing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches laying around.
Finally, when dealing with devious rodents that have already infiltrated your home, it's always best to put rodent control in control. After they've performed their ruthless rodent control services, the burden falls on you to maintain a rodent free life. Are you up to the task?
If you have any questions, concerns or in need of an inspection, Call us at Essential Pest Control 520-886-3029
Pack Rat Den Removal
Pack Rat Den Removal
It’s starting to get cooler outside and we are approaching the Winter months. However, there are still pests to be aware of during this season. One of the pests you should worry most about during Winter in our region is Pack Rats.
Pack Rats are 6 to 7 inches in size not including their tail. The length of their tail is about 5 to 6 inches long. They are brownish grey with a bright white under coat. Pack Rats also have very large eyes and ears. This particular pest is known for the giant mess it can make.
Pack Rats are very active at night and move indoors during the Winter months. However, it is also very common to find them in prickly pear cactus for protection purposes.
The best way to keep Pack Rats from making your home their home is to exclude potential entry points. Cracks, crevices, holes, gaps, and windows are just some areas to target. Pack Rats are attracted to shiny objects. In fact, if a Pack Rat finds a shinier object than the one it has, it will replace the new shiny object with the old one.
Other options for rodent control include trapping and rodenticide baiting. Once the rodents are eliminated, a Pack Rat den removal should be performed by a pest control professional. A Pack Rat den removal eliminates the chance of Pack Rats returning. If you are having a problem with Pack Rats or would like a Pack Rat den removal, call Essential today at (520) 886-3029. We can answer any question about Pack Rats you may be having and help to handle any Pack Rat situation.
