During the fall and winter rats and mice seek warm safe places with abundant food sources. Denying them access to these areas is your first line of prevention against infestation. Learn how to fortify your business against rodents and how pest control measures can keep rodents out for good.
Rodents have a strong sense of smell and the ability to squeeze through tight openings. Rats are capable of fitting through a dime-sized hole and mice can navigate through a ¼” crack. This means that if there is food to be found in your business and a way to reach it, mice and rats will get in and wreak havoc.
How to Keep Out Rats in the Winter
Rats are voracious omnivores. They will eat just about anything. Their keen sense of smell allows them to locate food sources quickly as well as communicate with other rats. They have poor eyesight and will follow established travel routes once they locate a reliable food source. They’ll also inform others of their discovery.
Signs of rats in your business may include:
- Greasy marks along walls
- Chewed walls, furniture, food containers
- Dark brown rice-shaped droppings
- Scratching/ wall noises
- Urine odors
- Nests
Stopping rats means keeping food sealed away and garbage covered to lessen temptation. It also means making sure they can’t get in. A professional pest control technician can assess your property for high risk areas where rats may be able get in such as:
- Foundation cracks
- Plumbing/electrical access points
- Vents
- Screens
- Doors and windows
- Chimneys
Sealing these areas will significantly reduce your risk of rats this winter, which is good. Once rats get in and establish nests they are prolific breeders. A female is capable of up to seven litters a year with as many as ten pups per litter. If you do the math, you can see how quickly your rat problem becomes bigger issue than you ever wanted.
How to Keep Out Mice in the Winter
Mice differ from rats in some of their behaviors. Mice are herbivores that prefer grains and cereals to eat. With access to food, they live longer and are capable of even greater propagation. A female mouse is can have up to 15 litters in a year with 10-12 babies per litter. Perhaps most astounding is her ability to become pregnant again the day after giving birth.
Mice can fit through tiny cracks and holes. Take the same precautions as with rats and seal all at-risk areas. Mice can also jump up to 16” and are competent climbers. Don’t discount their ability to sneak into your business.
Catching mice can be tricky because they experience “bait shyness.” Mice will test new food sources before fully dining on them. If a food source seems suspicious or poisonous, they quickly learn to avoid it. A professional pest control technician can advise you on the best ways to overcome this and reduce mice in your business.
Why Rats and Mice are a Problem in New York
Rats and mice are destructive rodents and harbingers of disease. They can bring parasites and fleas into your workspace and disrupt your ability to work. According to the CDC, rats and mice carry and transmit over 35 different diseases worldwide.
Because rodents reproduce at such efficiency, keeping the population under control is critical. Having a proven plan in place is crucial to achieving this. We’ve given you a few tips on how to keep rats out and mice away, are you ready for the next step?
Get Fast and Reliable Solutions to Your New York Rodent Problem
Assured Environments has proudly eliminated pests in New York businesses since 1934. Our quick and courteous team of entomologists use the latest technology and safest products to stop your rodent infestation. Call or contact us today to keep rats and mice from doing their business in yours.