Rodents

The rodent's name comes from the Latin word "Rodere," which means "to gnaw." All rodents, no matter their species, have front incisors that continuously grow throughout their life. To stop their teeth from overgrowing, they gnaw on just about everything.

Many species of rodents live in nature away from people and cause us no harm. They are an essential part of the ecosystem because they are a food source for many predators. It is only those species that live near people and have come to rely on us for some of their basic needs that are problematic. Species of rodents that invade properties in our region include Norway rats, house mice, deer-footed mice, and voles.

Outside, rodents live in fields, parks, wooded areas, athletic fields, and of course, or yards. However, adequate food sources and easy access inside of our homes will result in rodents becoming a problem for us. Open trash containers, compost piles, pet food, birdseed, and gardens, all attract rodents. In our yards, they nest in grass, gardens, woodpiles, under decks, under fallen trees, and in tree stumps.

It is very common for rodents to move indoors to escape unsuitable weather conditions or while searching for food. When rodents move inside, they are dangerous and destructive creatures. They contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria, spread diseases, and their chewing habits will cause structural damage.

Reduce rodent nesting spots by keeping shrubs, bushes, and tree branches cut back away from the exterior walls of your home and removing excess piles of wood and debris from your yard. Get rid of their access to food by removing bird feeders, harvesting fruits and vegetables from gardens, picking up uneaten pet food, and placing locking lids on trash cans and compost bins. Prevent rodents from entering your home by sealing up openings in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline. Place mesh cover over vents and drains and put a tight-fitting cap on your chimney.

Impact Pest Management also offers exclusion work, as well as rodent-proofing services. Our initial rodent assessment identifies the rodent, the entry points to seal off, and we then introduce solutions to both remove and reduce rodent populations.