Most people bundle up and enjoy the warmth of their homes as the cold weather rolls into Northglenn. Sadly, mice and rats are thinking the same thing. Winter is prime time for rodent infestations, which can bring more trouble than you might think. This makes it important to know what you are dealing with when rodents make your home their winter getaway. Also, ensure you check out saelapest.com for more information on rodent elimination.
Why Winter Brings Rodents Indoors
The drop in temperature forces rodents to look for warm places with food, water, and shelter. Your home offers these rodent essentials. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, and rats only need a space the size of a quarter. They often get in through cracks in the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and holes in pipes and wires. They explore, build nests, and get into things once inside.
Health Risks You Might Not Expect
Rodents carry germs. They can spread bacteria and viruses through their droppings, urine, and saliva. Here are a few health issues they are known for:
- Hantavirus. This virus spreads through rodent droppings and urine. Breathing in dust from dried droppings can make people sick, especially in enclosed areas like attics or basements.
- Salmonella. Mice and rats often crawl across countertops and food surfaces. You could get sick without realizing why if they have touched your food or prep space.
- Allergies and asthma. Rodent fur and waste can trigger allergies, especially in children. Rodents can make things worse in homes with existing asthma issues.
Also, rodents can bring fleas and ticks, which increases the number of pests you have to deal with.
Damage to Your Home
Rodents chew constantly. Their teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw on everything from wood to wires. This is how they can damage your property.
- Electrical problems. Rodents love chewing on wires. This can lead to power outages, short circuits, or house fires.
- Insulation destruction. Rodents will tear up insulation to build their nests when inside your walls or attic. This makes your heating system work harder and drives up your energy bills.
- Damaged belongings. Boxes in storage, furniture, and clothing are not safe. Rodents chew through fabric, plastic, cardboard, and soft metals if they feel like it.
Signs You Might Have a Problem
Rodents are good at hiding. But you can catch the problem early if you know what to look for.
- Droppings. These are tiny black pellets that you can find around an infested kitchen, pantry, or garage.
- Scratching sounds: You will usually hear these sounds at night. They can come from walls, ceilings, or under the floor.
- Chew marks: You can find these marks on wires, boxes, or food packaging.
- Musty smells: Rodent urine has a strong, unpleasant odor that gets worse over time.
- Grease marks: Rats in particular leave greasy trails along walls and baseboards.
Why Northglenn Homes Are at Risk
The mix of older and newer homes in Northglenn can make rodent problems possible. Older homes might have tiny cracks and gaps that are easy to miss. Newer homes can still have entry points, especially during construction or renovation. Also, the combination of open spaces, parks, and neighborhoods allows rodents to move from the outdoors into homes during the winter. Plus, snow and freezing temperatures make food harder to find outside. This makes your kitchen, pantry, and your trash bin extra appealing for rats and mice.
Steps You Can Take
Protecting your home from rodents means being a step ahead. Here’s what you can do from keeping your home rodent-free:
- Seal entry points: Look around the outside of your home for gaps and cracks. Use steel wool or caulk to close them off.
- Keep food sealed: Store pantry items in airtight containers and clean up crumbs right away.
- Take out trash often: Don’t let trash build up indoors or in the garage.
- Declutter: Rodents love hiding in piles of boxes, newspapers, or unused furniture. Clear out storage spaces and keep things tidy.
- Trim shrubs and trees: Rodents can use tree limbs to reach your roof, so trim back branches. Also, contact a pest control expert if you suspect you have a rodent issue. They can inspect your home, find the trouble spots, and help you get rid of any rodents before the damage adds up.