As the weather cools down in Little Rock, Russellville, and Dardanelle, rodents like mice and rats start looking for a new place to call home, and your house might be at the top of their list. These small creatures can cause real problems, from chewing through electrical wires to contaminating food sources and insulation.
If you've started noticing tell-tale signs like droppings in the pantry or strange scratching noises in the walls, it's a clear signal that it's time to take action. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to protect your home and your family from these unwanted guests.
Seeing signs of rodents in your home? Don't wait for the problem to grow. Call us at (479) 398-2196 or fill out our online contact form for a swift solution.
Common Signs of Rodent Activity in Your Arkansas Home
Spotting a rodent is not always the first sign of an infestation. More often, it’s the clues they leave behind that give them away. Being able to identify these signs is the first step toward getting the situation under control.
- Droppings: This is one of the most common indicators of a rodent problem. Mouse droppings are small, about the size of a grain of rice, with pointed ends. Rat droppings are larger, more capsule-shaped, and blunt on the ends. You'll typically find them in areas where rodents frequent, such as inside kitchen cabinets, under sinks, in attics, and along baseboards.
- Gnaw Marks: Rodents' incisor teeth grow continuously, so they must chew on things to wear them down. You might find small, parallel teeth marks on food packaging, wooden furniture, plastic pipes, or even electrical wires.
- Nests: Rodents build nests out of soft, shredded materials. Look for these hidden nests in secluded, warm spots like inside wall voids, behind appliances, or in cluttered storage boxes in the attic or garage. Nests are often made from insulation, shredded paper, fabric, or cardboard.
- Scratching or Scurrying Sounds: Since rodents are most active at night, you're more likely to hear them in the quiet evening hours. Listen for scratching, squeaking, or scurrying sounds coming from behind your walls, above your ceiling, or beneath the floorboards.
How Rodents Get Inside Your Home
It can be surprising to learn just how small an opening a rodent can squeeze through. Their bodies are very flexible, allowing them to enter your home through tiny gaps you might not even notice. Mice can fit through a hole the size of a pencil, while a rat can get through an opening the size of a quarter. They can gain access through many different points, including:
- Cracks in the foundation: Small gaps and cracks around the base of your home are prime entry points.
- Gaps around utility lines: Where pipes and wires enter the house, there are often unsealed spaces.
- Damaged screens and vents: Vents in attics, crawl spaces, or along the foundation that have damaged screens or are completely open can provide easy access.
- Gaps around windows and doors: Even tiny gaps in weather stripping or door sweeps can be an invitation for a rodent to enter.
- The roofline: Rats, in particular, are excellent climbers and can use tree branches that overhang your roof as a bridge to get inside through open eaves or attic vents.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Rodent-Proofing
Making your home less inviting to rodents is a crucial step in prevention. The best time to start is before the colder weather sets in. By taking these proactive measures, you can make a big difference in keeping them out.
1. Seal and Secure Your Home's Exterior
A thorough inspection of your home's exterior is the most important part of this process. You'll want to carefully check for and seal any potential entry points. Use materials that rodents can’t chew through. For small cracks and gaps, steel wool is a good choice because rodents cannot gnaw through it. You can pack it into the holes and then use caulk or spray foam to secure it in place. For larger holes, use metal sheeting, hardware cloth, or cement. Don't forget to check around all utility pipes and wires where they enter your house.
2. Eliminate Food and Water Sources
Rodents are constantly on the hunt for their next meal. Keep your kitchen and pantry clean and tidy. Store all dry goods, including pet food and birdseed, in thick plastic or metal containers with tight-fitting lids. Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Be mindful of food scraps in trash cans—make sure they have a secure lid and are taken out regularly. Also, address any moisture issues inside the home, such as leaky pipes, as rodents need water to survive.
3. Maintain Your Yard
A clean, well-kept yard is less appealing to rodents. Keep your grass trimmed and cut back shrubs and bushes from the side of your house. Rodents often use dense vegetation as a place to hide and a path to your home. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and a foot off the ground. If you have any outdoor pet food, bring it inside at night.
These steps can help reduce the chances of a rodent infestation. However, because rodents are so resilient and resourceful, even with the best efforts, they can still find their way in.
Understanding Professional Rodent Control
While do-it-yourself methods can be a good start, they are often not enough to address a full-blown infestation. Rodents are smart and reproduce quickly, which means a small problem can become a major one in a very short amount of time. That's when it's time to consider a more comprehensive approach.
A professional pest control company offers strategic rodent control solutions that go beyond just trapping a few mice. Our services begin with a detailed inspection to identify all the entry points and nesting locations. We then develop a targeted plan to remove the existing rodents, address the underlying causes of the infestation, and implement long-term exclusion strategies to help prevent them from coming back. This includes using professional-grade products and techniques that are not available to the general public.
Protect Your Home from Rodents
If you live in Little Rock, Russellville, Dardanelle, or the surrounding areas and suspect you have a rodent problem, it's wise to get in touch with an experienced pest control team right away. Letting a professional handle the situation can provide peace of mind and help protect your family and your property. Our team at George Termite And Pest Control is ready to help you with effective and reliable solutions.
Don't let rodents take over your home this season. Contact us today for a free inspection to get started on a solution. You can reach us at (479) 398-2196 or by filling out our online contact form.