According to the National Pest Management Association, rodents infest approximately 21 million homes in the U.S. every winter. They cause numerous problems from food contamination to illness to structural damage. Mice leave trails of urine and feces wherever they make contact and on any surface they crawl across. Rats and mice are known collectively to spread more than 35 different diseases through bacteria, viruses and parasites. Their droppings can also trigger allergies and asthma for most sufferers.

Interest Rat and Mouse Facts

Despite being a wildlife nuisance, rats and mice are very interesting creatures. Here are some facts about them that are helpful to know.

1. Rats teeth and jaws are so strong that they can gnaw through hard surfaces such as cinder blocks and lead sheeting.

2. Rats are among the most intelligent creatures on earth and like chimpanzees and dolphins, have excellent memory and can figure out puzzles and mazes. This is why sealing up one entrance doesn’t necessarily take care of an infestation as they seek out and find other entrances.

3. A single female mouse can give birth to 10-12 babies every three weeks. This is why rodent infestations grow so quickly.

4. The typical house mouse produces 40-100 droppings in a single day.

Preventing Rodent Infestation

Here are 8 tips you can use to help prevent a rodent infestation. It is much easier to prevent an infestation than to deal with one once it has started.

1. Seal all cracks and crevices with silicone caulk, especially around utility pipes.

2. Fill larger gaps tightly with steel wool. Rodents are unable to chew through the steel wool. If you can combine steel wool and silicone caulking, even better.

3. Screen all vents and chimneys to prevent rodents and other critters from getting in.

4. Keep bird feeders at least 30 feet away from your house. Bird seed attracts rodents and squirrels which could decide to check out your nice warm house for the winter.

5. Don’t feed wild animals or stray cats outdoors. This food attracts rodents.

6. Vacuum and mop floors frequently to keep food debris that could attract rodents cleaned up.

7. Keep all human and pet food in sealed air-tight containers to avoid attracting rodents and avoid contamination.

8. Frequently pull out and clean behind and underneath kitchen appliances. Not only will you clean up potential food sources for rodents but you’ll be able to look for droppings and other signs of a rodent infestation.

A rodent infestation can cause serious harm to your home, its structures and to your health. If you feel you might have a rodent infestation or possibly a dead rodent in a wall or other area of your home, give Pee Dee Wildlife Control a call. We’ll help you handle the infestation and the clean-up safely and thoroughly.