October: Season of the Rodent

How to prevent rodents in the fall in Atlanta GA - Active Pest ControlFall is considered by most people to be one of the nicest times of the year. Cooler temperatures not only signal the start of the holiday season but also the beginning of rodent season. Every October, rodents become a serious problem in Atlanta GA as temperatures drop. Like many other types of pests, mice and rats begin to seek shelter from the weather outside, which is why they make their way indoors. Read on to learn five main ways you can keep rodents outside this fall.

How to Rodent-Proof Your Home

To prevent rats and mice from getting inside during the fall, there are a number of things you can do to protect your home. Five ways you can keep rats and mice out of your home this season include:

  1. Seal windows and doors. Rodents are known for their ability to squeeze through the tiniest of openings, which is why it’s important to seal any cracks or openings in your windows and doors.
  2. Place screens over chimneys and vents. Rats and mice may feel the warm air escaping your chimney and vents, and make their way indoors. Properly cover your vent systems and chimney.
  3. Fix or replace faulty pipes. Rodents are great swimmers and can make their way through your plumbing. Always fix any broken pipes in a timely manner to keep rats and mice from getting in.
  4. Store food properly. Rats and mice will seek out food inside of homes. Always keep food stored in airtight containers and clean up messes or spills after meals.
  5. Keep a tidy home. Rodents are a big fan of clutter and are attracted to messy basements and attics. Even worse, they’ll use the clutter to build their nests. Always clean up messes and avoid excess clutter.

Rats and Mice in the Fall

By protecting your home and eliminating their chances of getting inside in the first place, you can avoid dealing with a rodent infestation in the fall. Unfortunately, rats and mice are infamous for making their way indoors by any means, especially when temperatures drop. Once indoors, they can be difficult to get rid of without professional help from a rodent control company. There are a number of DIY solutions to controlling rats and mice, but they are not reliable or good for long-term protection. As soon as you notice a mouse or rat inside your home, it’s important to enlist the help of a rodent exterminator.

How to Get Rid of Rats

Getting rid of rats always requires exclusion efforts. If you followed the aforementioned tips for protecting your home and still find yourself with a rodent problem, it’s time to call a professional. Rodents aren’t just gross—they are carriers of filth and disease and need to be controlled in a reliable and timely manner. Active Pest Control knows not only how to get rid of rodents, but also how to keep them from ever returning.

Guide To Protecting Your Pet From Pests

When pests get into a home, they can cause all kinds of problems. They can eat away at the equity of your home, damage your belongings, leave bite wounds, spread diseases, and more. And, you, your spouse, and your kids aren’t the only ones that are affected by these invading bugs. Here are five pests that can also plague the furry family members.

FLEAS

We all know how maddening these tiny biters can be. Fleas are found in greater numbers in warmer areas where there is high humidity. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, just one flea can turn into 1,000 fleas inside a home in a brief 21 days. When infested, fleas cause pets to itch, twitch, scratch and dig. This can lead to hair loss, scabs and other dermatological issues. And a flea infestation can lead to a secondary pest problem like tapeworms.

TICKS

Ticks are becoming more and more of a threat as Lyme disease continues to rear its ugly head. And since pets tend to spend more time in the grass and forest areas than us, it is more of a threat to them. Ticks hang out in the choicest of places, just waiting for an unsuspecting warm-blooded creature to come along to attach to. Some of the more serious diseases that ticks can transmit to your pet include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and, as mentioned, Lyme.

MOSQUITOES

Even our indoor pets are at risk, as mosquitoes can get inside, or bite through screens if pets are resting against them. Mosquitoes not only cause itchy red bumps but there are also some life-threatening diseases that we should be aware of. Heartworm and roundworm that can infect both cats and dogs, is a silent killer. Fortunately, it can be easily treated if caught in time. There is also West Nile virus and Saint Louis encephalitis, which attacks the brain.

BOTFLY

Also called Cuterebra, this fly hangs out in the grass and latches onto animals (much like the tick). Symptoms of a botfly infection include aggression, seizures, blindness and warbles (or lumps) on the skin. In cats, the Cuterebra larva typically travels to the brain!

SARCOPTES SCABIEI MITE

This mite causes a condition in pets called scabies, or mange. Although more of a nuisance than a threat, if open wounds occur, the body will be open to bacterial invasion.

Protecting our pets from the harmful effects of household pests is part of their essential care. Consider year-round pest control from Active Pest Control. Not only will you be protecting your pets, but your home and your family members as well. Contact us for a FREE inspection today.