When the weather gets colder outside, pests, like rodents look for a place to live inside. Our Capital Region homes are the most likely refuge. It is something Capital Region homeowners experience every year and homeowners need to take steps during the fall to pest proof for the winter months. Below are common rodent questions about getting rid of rodents and rodent removal.

Should I be concerned about rodents in my home?

Every year, rodents gain access to homes, causing property damage, contaminating food sources, triggering allergies and, in some cases, causing illness/disease. It is estimated that rodents infest approximately 21 million homes in theUnited States, each year, when the cold weather forces these pests to seek refuge indoors.

What are signs of rodents in my home?

There are several signs a rodent may have taken up residence in a home, including chewed door frames or furniture legs; small, dark-colored droppings; gnawed food boxes that are stored in pantries or cupboards; oily marks along walls, which are caused by rodents' habitual use of the same paths; and sounds of movement in pantries, ceilings and behind walls.

What is the most common rodent in the Capital Region?

The most common type of rodent across the world and locally is the house mouse. A nocturnal animal, the house mouse can gain entry to buildings and homes through openings as small as one-quarter inch.

How can I prevent rodents from coming indoors?

There are a number of pest-proofing measures that homeowners can take to protect their home and families from the threats posed by rodents. NPMA recommends the following:

• Store boxes and containers off the floor and organize items often to prevent rodents from residing in undisturbed areas.
• Seal cracks and holes, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.
• Store food in thick metal or plastic containers with tight lids.
• Clean up spilled food right away immediately and wash dishes and cooking utensils soon after use.
• Keep outside cooking areas and grills clean.
• Do not leave pet food or water bowls out overnight.
• Keep bird feeders away from the house and use squirrel guards to limit access to the feeder by squirrels and other rodents.
• Use a thick plastic or metal garbage can with a tight lid and keep sealed at all times.
• Keep grains and animal feed in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids. In the evening, return uneaten animal feed to containers with lids.
• If you find rodent feces, hear sounds of scurrying in the walls or observe other signs of a rodent infestation, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the pest problem.

How do I treat a rodent infestation?

Licensed and professionally trained pest professionals are best suited to treat a rodent infestation. Pest Control Professionals, like Thomas Pest Services have the training necessary to identify pest problems and recommend the most responsible and effective pest management methods available. As rodents can pose certain health risks to humans, it is vital that these types of pest problems are managed efficiently and responsibly.

What types of health risks do rodents pose?

Rodent droppings most often cause allergic reactions in human beings. However, rats and mice spread over 35 diseases, worldwide, including the Plague, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM).

How do rodents spread disease?

Rodent-borne diseases can be spread both directly and indirectly to humans in various manners. Directly, rodents can spread disease through bite wounds; by contaminating a human food or water source with feces; by contaminating surface water with urine that a human consequently comes in contact with; and through a process known as aerosolization, where humans breathe in germs that may be present from rodent urine or droppings. Diseases from rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly through ticks, mites and fleas that transmit infection to humans after feeding on infected rodents.

How do you treat for rodents?

All rodent services begin with a thorough inspection to determine the extent of infestation. Thomas Pest Services inspection looks for entry points (how rodents are getting in), droppings, signs of rodents and pathways. Once a Thomas Pest representative understands how rodents are acting in your home, we develop a service around your home, property and YOUR needs. Our services include exclusion (sealing up entry points), seasonal services, ongoing services and harvesting as well. Contact Thomas Pest today, for a no charge inspection to protect your health, home and family from rodents.

Thomas Pest Services has been solving rodent and insect problems for those that live, work and play in the Capital Region and surrounding towns like Chatham, Schenectady, Latham, Saratoga Springs and Queensbury with third generation experience. Rodent removal is serious, Thomas Pest Services is licensed in getting rid of rodents, contact us via phone at 1-877-518-2847, via web inquiry, Facebook or Twitter!

Thank you to National Pest Management Association and our membership to Professional Pest Management Alliance for this information.