Why Mice Infestations Are So Common

It's unlikely that any homeowner wants to see a mouse. However, mice infestations are more common than people may be comfortable with. Are you in need of mice control despite a relatively clean home? Let's look at some reasons why mice infestations are so common.

Sanitation

According to the Environment America Research & Policy Center, Americans produce roughly 1,800 pounds of solid waste annually. Some of that waste may be nicely contained in trash cans, but that's not always the case. Some people may have poor sanitation in their homes or around their neighborhoods, which makes a ripe environment for mice to thrive. Trash often has discarded food scraps that mice can feast on; plus it also provides a nesting area for them.

Overconstruction

With the growing population, construction is constantly taking place around the world. As more residential developments rise and land is razed, it creates encroachment on the natural wild environment where some mice and other rodents live. As homes and businesses increase in these areas, they may be surrounded by mice but not be aware of it.

Evasiveness

A mice infestation is one of the worst pest problems to deal with, partially because of how evasive mice can be. House mice can climb vertical walls and jump up to 3 feet high, according to our internal resources. They're most active at night when most humans are asleep. When it comes to breeding, all rodents have a very short gestation period, so it won't take long for them to overtake your property without timely mice control.

Clutter

If you want to reduce your chances of infestation, it may be time to go through your closet an make note of things you may want to give away. According to a study noted in Becoming Minimalist, the average American home has over 300,000 items. While the first thing that can attract mice is food and water, they also welcome a warm place to nest and gestate freely. Therefore, even the nicest American home could provide a haven for mice to nest due to so much clutter.

Mice may be tiny, but they're destructive, as they can affect your food supply and ruin your property. If you notice the slightest signs of an infestation, ranging from scratching noises at night to droppings, don't hesitate to call a professional. For quality mice control from a licensed, A+ rated company on the BBB, call Essential Pest Control today.

6 Tips to Help Keep Rodents Away

Around this time of year rodents are in search of warm shelter where food is easy to come by.

As temperatures drop and food is hard to come by, rodents begin to invade homes across the US. As many as 48% of homeowners in the US reported rodent issues. Capable of carrying and spreading 35 diseases it is important to implement a prevention plan to keep yourself and your family protected from possible disease threats.

Even clean homes are at risk of rodent infestations, thankfully these tips can help prevent such risks:

Install door sweeps on doors garage doors and repair damaged screens.
Seal cracks and holes around exterior of home.
Eliminate moisture sites - leaking pipes and clogged drains
Store food in sealable containers
Store firewood 15-20ft away from home and make sure all debris is removed.
Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces ventilated and dry.

If you think you may have an infestation, give essential pest a call at 520-886-3029 or visit essentialpest.com/residential

Rodents - A Furry Danger

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.

The Importance of Pest Control

The Importance of Pest Control

Commercial Pest Management

Homeowners often wait to see pests before contacting a pest control company, even though a proactive approach works best. Business owners don’t have this luxury! pests like termites, bed bugs, and bees must be managed before they become a major problem. Otherwise, the business’ fiscal health and reputation may be threatened.

Reputation Management

Business owners work hard to build a sterling reputation in their communities. Customer service, quality products, and affordable prices are just three of the factors that contribute to a business’ reputation. All that hard work to build up your business’ reputation could vanish in the blink of an eye if your customers spot pests on the premises, especially if you own a restaurant or hotel. Thanks to online reviews and social media, negative gossip about the cleanliness of your building will spread quickly and prove difficult to eradicate. By proactively partnering with a pest control company, your business can preserve its reputation and its customer base.

Physical Damage Control

Some pests can cause significant damage to your commercial building or its inventory. Insects and rodents can chew up the building’s drywall, insulation, wood, and wires. The cosmetic consequences are damaging enough, but it can also result in expensive structural damage or even a building fire if wires are affected. Pests can also attack inventory ranging from racks of clothes to food items. By staying a step ahead when it comes to pest management, business owners can better manage their risk.

Workplace Health and Safety

Liability is a major concern for every business owner, and unmanaged pests can pose a serious liability issue. Pests spread contaminants and pathogens, and have been known to trigger outbreaks of disease. They can also cause susceptible individuals to suffer from allergy and asthma attacks, which may occasionally be life-threatening. You can protect your business with an effective pest management plan that safeguards the health and safety of your customers and employees.

Complete commercial pest control services in Tucson and Marana are available from Essential Pest Control. Over the years, we’ve built a solid reputation for providing quality pest solutions at affordable rates for businesses throughout the region. Call us today at (520) 886-3029 so we can help your business preserve its reputation

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.