Rodent season is upon us. You’ve probably heard that said with some sort of ominous undertones at one point or another. Nothing makes spaceowners cringe like the possibility of dealing with a rodent infestation.

Whether it be mice, rats, or other vermin, it is the time of year when we hear about them the most. Here is some background on just what rodent season is and what you can do to minimize damage and prevent it from happening to you.

Prepare For Rodent Season?

Rodent season refers to a period when mice and rats start to search for places to spend the winter. The season signals the beginning of cooler weather and the end of the breeding season. During warmer months, mice and rats breed seemingly non-stop. This may not seem like a huge problem until you realize each mouse can have up to 60 babies per year; rats can have up to 24. Mice also take only three weeks to reach sexual maturity so those babies can also contribute 60 babies to the environment.

Rodent season is slightly tricky to pin down to certain dates because different regions experience seasonal changes at varying times. Generally speaking, rodent season begins when the weather starts to cool. This can be anywhere from August to late October in the United States. Once it cools off hoards of vermin will begin their search for warmer spaces where they can hunker down for winter.

As the weather cools, mice and rats look for the most appealing and warmest spots to weather the winter months. Unfortunately, that usually means moving uninvited to our spaces, if possible. Not all mice and rats carry diseases, but many do. Maintaining a clean and healthy space is incredibly important, so keeping them vermin free can greatly contribute to that.

Not only do they carry harmful diseases but they can cause major damage to spaces. Wires are often chewed, excrement is left along their main pathways, holes are made in walls, and oily marks are left on surfaces where they travel frequently.

Don’t worry; there’s light at the end of the tunnel. When the ground starts to thaw, and the temperatures gradually begin to get warmer, you can breathe more easily knowing that, for the most part, the rodents will begin to move back outside.

During the winter food is more scarce, so when Spring arrives their natural food sources outside of your space are more abundant. Rest assured that between March through May rodents will begin making their way back outdoors.

Reasons Pest Control in the Winter is Important

1. Mice and rats seek shelter in your space.

In an attempt to find warmth through the winter, mice and rats are among the most common pests found in spaces during the winter. In addition to shelter, they try to find spaces where food and water are easily accessible, which can very well be your space. They find their way in through cracks and crevices found across your property. This is why it’s so important to have these openings sealed by professional help.

2. Pests try to live rent-free in your walls.

Contrary to popular belief, a wide variety of pests can survive the winter and remain active within your space. This is because wall-dwelling pests are not affected as much by the cold weather as other pests are. Among the typical winter wall-dwelling pests found across North Carolina include termites, cockroaches, and earwigs.

3. Wood-destroying pests still linger.

Even through the winter, wood-destroying pests such as carpenter ants and termites can find their way into your firewood and additional lumber. Carpenter ants don’t eat wood but carve into wood to make nests. Termites are notorious for eating away at wooden space structures, furniture, and more. Either way, these invasive pests are never welcome in the space and should be removed through winter pest control.

4. Attic and basement spider infestations still happen too.

Although the attic and basement of your space are usually colder and steer away more pests than other areas, they are far from pest-free. Spiders and their eggs can survive the colder conditions of attics and basements much better than other pests found throughout the winter. As these are commonly missed areas in the house, ensure you get your attic and basement inspected and treated.

5. Winter pest control better prevents spring pest infestations.

Alongside providing shelter for pests active in the winter, your space can also host a wide range of spring pests. Common spring pests in North Carolina include wasps and mosquitoes, among many others. It’s in your best interest to have professional pest control technicians perform thorough inspections to remove any future pest problems before the snow melts.

Precautions To Take For Rodent Season

Rodents love warm spaces that provide easy access to food and protection from predators. As they make their way indoors, they will undoubtedly make some noticeable changes at their entry points and pathways inside your space.

To avoid damage to your house and exposure to diseases that rodents carry, it is best to prepare early and well. Before you get anxious over the possibility of an impending rodent infestation, know there are tons of ways you can help prevent rodents from invading your space.

• Be On the Lookout – Look for droppings, gnaw marks, paw prints, chewed wires, or small holes and crevices in walls. Also, listen for scurrying noises in the walls or ceiling. These are all common signs that rodents have moved in.
• Get Rid of Clutter – Rodents love clutter since it provides a great space to hide from predators and lots of materials for a nest. Finding evidence of rodents is also easier if you don’t have to dig through piles of belongings.
• Upgrade Your Food Storage – Store your food in airtight containers. This will help make it much harder for mice/rats to access it or recognize it as a possible food source.
• Seal Cracks and Crevices – If you find a crack, hole, or crevice that is about a quarter of an inch wide (about as wide as a dime), seal it or have it fixed. Mice can fit through alarmingly small spaces.
• Use Repellents – Even if you’ve never noticed signs of rodents in your space, using a repellent is a great way to keep them from even thinking about coming in. Victor® offers repellents in both scent and ultrasonic form so you can find the best solution for your needs.