Do You have a Mouse Infestation?

Rodents and other creatures may find their way into your home to seek shelter from the cold. Mice like to seek shelter in warm places during the fall and winter months, which may mean inside your home. Although they like to be sneaky, they do leave clues that let you know they have been in your home. A Lake of the Ozarks pest control company can help you make sure mice don't get comfy in your home, but you need to know they are there first in order to make the call. A B Pest Control & Insulation shares with you a few things to look for to help you determine whether you have a mouse infestation.

Look for Droppings
Finding small grain-sized droppings in corners, along the edges of your home or where you have spot activity (like in the pantry) is a sign of an active infestation. These droppings can transmit diseases. Food that's eaten from a contaminated area can cause serious illnesses. call a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company to prevent the situation from getting worse.

Damage to Food
Mice love to eat, which is one reason they are in your home. If you look in your pantry and find that a box of cereal has a hole in it, it may be the work of a mouse. Homeowners will often find holes in items like dog food, bird seed and, of course, pantry items. Often times the damaged item will show teeth marks, so it will be clear it is mice doing the chewing, however, this isn't always the case.

Chew Marks
In addition to food items being damage, rodents can also damage your baseboards, furniture and doors. Because their teeth grow fast, they need to chew in order to file them down. This could be anything from baseboard to wiring. If the chewing goes unnoticed, it could cause damage to your home, which could require some costly repairs.

Noises in the Wall
One of the first signs you have a rodent problem is noise in the walls. Sometimes you can hear a scratching noise and other times you can hear squeaking. The sound could come from the walls or ceilings. Pay close attention to where you are hearing the noise, as this can help identify how they are getting in and where they are nesting.

Pay Attention to Your Pets

Dogs and cats like to sniff around a place which has been infested by rodents. If you notice such a behavior from your pet, check the place more carefully. You may notice that your pet continues to visit the same spot and is trying to get to something that you don't see. As an example, if your pet is frantically trying to get into a closet that you know doesn't have anything in it they'd normally be interested in, you may want to check things out. They may be smelling or hearing mice scurrying around in there.

Keep Mice Out with A B Pest Control & Insulation
While the cold may keep insects at bay, it may drive other pests like mice into your home. Because rodents seek warm shelters, they will invade a home if they find an entrance. Luckily, a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you if you find them in your home. A B Pest Control & Insulation is here for all your pest control needs, just schedule an appointment by calling 573-964-1100.

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Don't Be Overrun By Rodents

Most people cringe at the thought of mice and rats running around their house. Most of the time you don’t actually see them, but you might see what they leave behind. Rodents aren't usually thought of as cute creatures so the thought of having them in your home can be unsettling. A B Pest Control & Insulation knows that’s not the only reason you should be concerned about a rodent infestation in your house. Check out these dangers that come along with having a rodent problem. If you notice your home is being overrun by rodents, give your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company a call.

The Dangers

One of the main reasons that people fear a rodent infestation is the fact that they can carry pathogens that may transmit disease to humans. Some of these pathogens that they carry can even be transmitted through the rodent's urine and droppings. The pathogens become airborne as they break down and then they contaminate other dust particles. This means that you may even be exposed to pathogens even if you don’t actually see a rodent or their droppings.

Tip: You should never disturb a rodent nest if you see one. You should call a rodent control professional at the Lake of the Ozarks to be on the safe side.

Besides carrying pathogens and other diseases, rodents can also cause damage to your home. They can damage wood beams, plastic or even metal pipes, and sometimes soft concrete. Rodents can also easily chew through the plastic coating that is on electrical wiring. This could lead to short circuits or even house fires. To make things even worse, rodents are known for getting into your food items, as well as damaging insulation in walls, crawl spaces, and attics.

Where You Can Find Rats in Your House

Rodents will live almost anywhere in your house. From attics, crawl spaces, walls and even old furniture. Rodents can even be found in chimneys. Roof rats are good climbers and they are usually found in attics. Norway rats are usually found nesting close to the ground or inside your crawl space. Knowing what types of species your home has can help professionals better customize a solution for your home.

If you’re wondering how rodents even make their way into your home, it’s more than likely they found a tiny hole. Rodents can squeeze through holes the size of a quarter. They also have strong teeth so if they find an area that’s too small for them to fit through, they can easily gnaw their way through. Besides holes, they can easily crawl through pipes and dryer vents that aren’t covered.

Get Rid of an Infestation

If you’re dealing with a rodent infestation in your home, give your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company a call. While DIY methods may be tempting, you can easily end up costing yourself more money in the long run, not to mention cause more stress. If you need rodent control for either inside or outside of your home, give A B Pest Control & Insulation a call! 

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5 Tips To Prevent Rodents This Fall

Seeing a mouse scurry across the floor is not a sight you want to see. Mice and rats aren't just annoying they're also hazardous to your health and well being. Unfortunately, if you see one little mouse scurrying across your kitchen floor, there may be dozens more hiding in the walls of your home.  They multiply fast and adapt easily. Luckily, our Lake of the Ozarks pest control company can help prevent you from seeing these little furry pests in your home.

Mice are not only annoying they can also be dangerous for you and your family. They can bring in insects such as lice, fleas and ticks into your home. They can also transmit different diseases. Rodents can also cause damage to your home by chewing through wiring, insulation and sheet rock. When mice chew through wires, it can be a fire hazard and put your family's safety at risk.

Mice can enter your home looking for a warm shelter with food and water through any small crack or hole. It doesn't have to be big either, as mice can squeeze through an opening the size of a dime. Access points can be anything from a pipe or vent to a broken seal around a window or door. They can chew through insulation and other easy access points. Once a mouse is in your home, they will wander searching for food and a place to build a nest.

5 Tips To Prevent A Rodent Infestation

1. Seal Up Points of Entry
Inspect your home for any place you think a mouse could get through. Ensure all window and door frames, as well as utility pipes that lead to the outside, are sealed tightly. If you have screens on your windows or doors, make sure they're in tact and repair them if necessary.

2. Keep Food In Sealed Containers
Rodents enter your home looking for food, water and shelter. Make sure they don't stick around by removing any food sources. Keep the kitchen tidy and make sure any food is put away in sealed containers.

3. Keep Trash Emptied And Sealed
Don't let the trash can in your kitchen overflow. Regularly take it to an outside trash can that is sealed tightly. It's also a good idea to wash them out every now and then in case anything accidentally spilled out of the bags.

4. Eliminate Water Source
Keep crawl spaces, basements and attics well ventilated and dry. Leaky pipes or clogged drains should also be fixed as they can create the perfect breeding grounds for mice.

5. Inspect Items Before Bringing Them Inside
Mice can be quite sneaky, so it's best to check all items, such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages before bringing them inside to prevent any hitchhikers from making their way into your home.

If you find a rodent infestation in your house, call a Lake of the Ozarks pest control company. It's best to leave situations like this to the professionals as they will know how to properly eliminate your rodent problems and help you take preventative measures to keep them away. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100.

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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www.abpest.net

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