October Rodent Report
What North Florida Homeowners Need to Know
Fall is finally here in North Florida. Cooler days are a welcome break. Unfortunately, rodents feel the same way. As the temperatures drop, they start looking for a warm place to spend the winter. For many of them, that place is your home.
What We're Seeing Right Now
Calls are picking up across North Florida. The reason is the change in seasons. As summer turns to fall, rodents start looking for a way inside.
They're after food, water, and warmth. Unfortunately, your home has everything they need.
How Rodents Get Inside
Rodents don't need much room. A gap about the width of your finger is enough. Any opening that size or larger can become an entry point.
Common spots include:
Gaps around air conditioning lines, including liquid and condensate lines
Openings along the eaves
Gaps around the roofline
Any small holes in exterior walls
Take a look around the outside of your home. Small holes are easy to miss, but rodents will find them.
Signs You May Have Rodents
Rodents like to spend time where food and water are close by. Check your pantry, kitchen, bathrooms, and closets.
Here's what to look for:
Droppings: Rodent droppings are black and oblong. They're about a quarter inch long.
Chewed packaging: Look for gnaw marks on boxes and food containers. Rodents often chew the corners.
If you spot either of these, you likely have activity inside your home.
Simple Prevention Tips for Fall
Summer heat keeps most of us indoors. We walk straight from the car to the front door. Now that it's cooling off, it's the perfect time to look around.
We recommend a few easy steps:
Walk the perimeter of your home. Look closely for holes and gaps.
Fill small holes with steel wool. Push it in firmly. Use a screwdriver to pack it tight.
Seal other openings. Close up any gaps you find before the weather gets colder.
A few minutes outside now can keep rodents out all season.
Seeing Signs? Give Us a Call.
A little prevention now can save you a lot of hassle this winter. If you've noticed any of these signs, give The Pest Company a call. We'll come out and take a look.
