How To Keep Rodents At Bay: Tips For Effective Rodent Control Around Your Orange County Home

Whether you think they’re cute or are terrified of them, rodents are one part of Orange County that isn’t going away anytime soon. These pests are common all over the country, but they especially love areas like ours, where the weather stays warm all year round. Because they don’t hibernate, mice and rats love a place where they don’t have to worry about freezing temperatures in the middle of winter.

While they may love it here, far fewer people who live here enjoy the presence of rodents, especially when they decide to get a little too close for comfort. Unfortunately, finding rodents on your property or in your house is something that will more than likely happen at some point or other, especially if you don’t take active steps to prevent them from getting into your house. If you want to know how to keep rodents at bay around your Orange County home, read on. Effective rodent control in Orange County begins with prevention and ends with the help of The PEST Group. Our trained and experienced professionals offer the services you need to maintain your rodent-free home.

Rodent Behavior Insights: Navigating The Habits Of Mice And Rats

There are thousands of species of rodents in the world, but you’ll never see the majority of them with your own two eyes. The ones that you’re most likely to see are the few rodent species in Orange County that are most intent on making your home into their home. Mice and rats, namely Norway rats and roof rats, are the most common rodents to invade homes in our area. Understanding a little bit about these pests can help you understand why they do what they do.

All rodentsshare one key characteristic: they have incisors that never stop growing. These teeth have to continually meet resistance in the way of gnawing and chewing so that they can be worn down to a length that allows rodents to be able to manage them. You are likely well aware of rodents’ abilities to chew through almost anything, but this explains why they do it. It’s not just because they are trying to eat everything they see or because they enjoy being destructive. Rodents chew because they have to.

Mice and rats all share a cautious temperament. They aren’t interested in being the center of attention, and they prefer to stay out of the way whenever possible. If given the chance to run straight across the middle of a room or stick to the edges, they’ll choose the edges every time. This air of caution also means rodents will try to stay out of the way when building a nest. Rodents prefer secluded spots to nest in that are hidden from view. You’ll usually find them nesting in basements, attics, garages, or wall voids. They’ll find cluttered rooms or space behind appliances where they can build nests in a warm, safe environment.

Rodents forage for food. Although they each have certain foods they prefer, at the end of the day, they are opportunistic feeders who will eat whatever food is available to them. Both rats and mice are omnivores and will eat seeds, plants, fruits, meats, grains, and other foods. When they get into your house, you’ll likely notice their presence by the jagged holes they chew through food bags and boxes or by the piles of food they spill as they gather their meals for the day.

The Rodent Menace: Understanding The Threat Of Uninvited Guests

You probably know that a rodent infestation is a big deal, but you might not be fully aware of just how bad it can be for your home and family. Rodents are extremely common home invaders, and they are also one of the most dangerous pests to get in your Orange County home. While some pests are a threat to your family’s health and others can damage your house, rodents pack a punch by doing both. Nothing and no one is safe when rodents move into your house.

First, consider the health risks that rodents introduce to your family when they get inside your home. Although they try to stay out of the way, rodents need to eat, so they will get into the areas of your house where you store food. As they move around, they’ll leave waste behind. Not only do they contaminate the food they get into, but they also contaminate the surfaces they cross. At some point, your family will come into contact with these contaminants, which puts you at risk of a variety of diseases, such as salmonellosis or leptospirosis.

Additionally, rodents often bring parasites into your living space. Mites, lice, ticks, and fleas are often found on mice and rats, and if rodents get into your home, they’ll bring these parasites with them, increasing your chances of ending up with secondary infestations.

The trouble doesn’t end with the health concerns for your family. Rodents are also extremely destructive pests that will damage your home and belongings. Although you might be angered to find your clothing damaged or devastated to discover family heirlooms destroyed, the real trouble with rodents comes with the damage they do to your house.

Because of their constant need to chew, rodents can damage a lot of things in a short amount of time. Insulation, HVAC components, plumbing fixtures, and electrical wiring are all at risk when rodents get into your house. While repairs to these things can be costly, you also have to consider the dangers associated with these home components being damaged. If a water leak occurs, you may face flooding, which will damage other parts of your house. This can lead to mold growth, which is harmful to your family’s health. Chewed electrical wiring is a fire hazard, which also puts your family in danger.

There is truly no end to the damage and destruction caused by rodents. The best way to avoid all of the problems they cause is to make sure they can’t get into your Orange County home.

Rodent-Proof Your Property: Key Steps To Keep Unwanted Guests Away

Rodent prevention is essential in stopping a rodent infestation and all of the problems that go along with it. Knowing how to properly rodent-proof your property is the key to effective rodent prevention. Rodents come to homes in search of food, water, or shelter. When you know this, it makes it much easier to look around your property and figure out what needs to be done to make it less attractive to rodents. The following recommendations can help you get started.

• Maintain your yard by keeping the grass trimmed and removing debris and leaf litter.
• Cut back tree branches and foliage that touch the sides or roof of your house. 
• Store wood piles at least 20 feet away from your house.
• Keep garbage bins away from your house and cover them with tightly-fitting lids.
• Remove bird seed, pet food, fallen fruit, and other food sources from around your yard.
• Remove bird baths, pet water dishes, and other areas of standing water around your yard.
• Clean out your gutters seasonally to make sure they don’t get clogged.
• Check all faucets, water lines, and plumbing fixtures to ensure there are no leaks.
• Seal cracks and crevices, no matter how small, around the exterior of your house. 
• Fill gaps around windows and doors and make sure screens aren’t torn.
• Cover vents and chimneys with wire mesh.
• Store food in your house in hard-sided containers with airtight lids.
• Don’t leave any food out on the counter.
• Clean up after each meal, including dishes, counters, sinks, and floors.
• Take out your trash on a regular basis.
• Reduce clutter throughout your house.

By minimizing food and water sources and areas of shelter, as well as by making it harder to get into your house, you can prevent a rodent infestation from happening in your house.

Professional Rodent Control: The Best Way To Keep Mice And Rats Away

When they get into your house, you have to get rid of rodents as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Otherwise, you will have to deal with the many problems they cause. The longer a rodent infestation remains, the greater the problems will grow and the harder it will be to eliminate the infestation. Professional rodent control is the best way to get mice and rats out of your house.

The PEST Group offers rodent control near you that is 100% satisfaction guaranteed. We come to your house to identify where rodents are spending time, then tailor a treatment plan to your particular rodent problem. Our trapping services fully remove your rodent infestation, and our exclusion services seal all entry points so rodents can’t return. Our fully certified pest management professionals use the latest technology and our ongoing training to deliver the most effective rodent control results possible. If you have a rodent problem, contact us to solve it.