Rodents are some of the most pervasive pests in the animal kingdom and have plagued humans since the beginning of time. If a man builds a house and fills it with food and warmth for his family, you can bet that by the end of the week a family of rats will have moved into the floorboards, if you let them. As time goes on, man has created new ways to prevent rodents from entering their home and rodents have evolved to learn the best ways around each new mousetrap and continue to make your home, their own. While you may still think of rodents getting in through the classic holes in the wall like you see in cartoons, a determined rodent can find far more.
Below you’ll find some of the most common ways rodents invade your property, as well as steps you can take to prevent future infestations. Should you discover a larger problem, we recommend seeking the help of a professional exterminator, like General Pest Control, which specializes in mice control and rat control in order to handle the invasive population.
1.) Cracks/Holes in the Foundation
One of the most common entry points for rodents is in the foundation or other potential structural weaknesses. Cracks and holes leading to exposed openings are some of the most common ways rodents enter a home. The cracks in the concrete base provide a natural tunnel to the inside of your home. This allows rats and mice to build their nests using the materials your home has to offer. It also allows them to find convenient entries to food and water sources, or construct their own using a method of tunneling common for these pests.
2.) Gaps in Windows
Due to their unique body shape, mice and rats can squeeze between much smaller gaps than most homeowners think they can. Rats and mice have the ability to fit through a hole a fourth the size of their body. A two-inch gap between the window pane might not seem like a big enough space for a rodent to get through, but it is more than enough for a mouse to squeeze through. While most homeowners wouldn’t even consider it a possibility, those small gaps could spell infestation for an unknowing family.
3.) Sewer Lines
In addition to small gaps in the windows, mice and rats can enter the home through something as small as your home’s sewer lines. Their ability to compress their bodies lends itself to working their way through the pipes and into your home, and using the sewer lines provides them with a particularly stealthy manner of entry.
4.) Sewer Lines
In addition to small gaps in the windows, mice and rats can enter the home through something as small as your home’s sewer lines. Their ability to compress their bodies lends itself to working their way through the pipes and into your home, and using the sewer lines provides them with a particularly stealthy manner of entry.
5.) Sink/Bathtub Drains
In the same vein as sewer lines are fixture drains around the home. If not properly sealed, rodents can use the gaps in the drain sealant to work their way into your home. Contact a plumber if you believe your drains and plumbing lines are not properly sealed. This can prevent an infestation in addition to mitigating future plumbing and drainage problems.
6.) Gas Lines
One of the most concerning ways for rodents to enter your home is through the gas lines running to the oven and water heater. In addition to creating a potential infestation, rodents using the gas lines as a method of entry can cause damage to the lines that result in appliance malfunction or potentially a gas leak. If you suspect rodents are using your gas lines as a method of entry to your home, be sure to contact a professional exterminator as well as your utility provider to ensure the lines are in good working order to prevent a leak or make any necessary repairs.
How To Handle Rodents and Mice Entering Your Home
If you believe you have a rodent infestation on your property, handling it yourself can leave you with a bigger problem than you had. Most homeowners will take care of the rodents they can see, believing they have curbed the infestation, but in reality, the ones you don’t see are the ones you need to fear the most. Rats and mice populations can grow faster than the average homeowner could reasonably expect to handle on their own. Before you know it your “fixed” rat problem could be an even bigger infestation. When dealing with a high-level rodent infestation, you need the qualified services of General Pest Control to protect your home.
Rodents such as rats and mice are determined creatures who can infest even the most well-maintained home. The best way to protect your home is regular pest control from experts who recognize all the signs of a rodent problem.
Contact General Pest Control for the Best in Rat Control
General Pest Control uses the highest level of technology in Dodge City, Kansas, and surrounding areas to remove rodents from the home. Depending on the type of infestation, there are many different techniques our team of professionals uses to get rid of rodents.
One of the most popular techniques for removing a bad infestation of any kind is fumigation. This can involve fumigating a specific area or the entire home. This often requires leaving the home for 24 – 48 hours, thus ensuring the infestation is gone, when you return home. Our team handles rodents, bed bugs, termites, and general pest control. With General Pest Control you will get:
- Experienced Exterminators
- Commercial-Grade
- Indoor and Outdoor Services
- Friendly Staff
- In-Depth Pest Control
- Affordable Rates
We’ve been in the business of rodent extermination since 1978, and provide comprehensive extermination services as well as inspections and follow-up visits to ensure the problem has been resolved. If you discover evidence of a rodent infestation don’t wait for DIY techniques and store-bought traps to fail you and for the problem to get even worse. Never compromise your home and your family’s safety when dealing with a potential large-scale rodent problem. Contact the qualified experts at your local General Pest Control location to schedule a consultation and get the personalized services and quality customer service you and your home deserve.