What Type of Animal is in Your Attic?

Bats in the attic in Georgia home - Active Pest Control, formerly ActiveNo matter where you are—in the living room with your family or in bed at night—hearing noises and movement in your attic is frightening. While some may believe they are living the plot of a horror movie, the reality is that their home is being infested by nuisance wildlife. An attic is a popular place for wild animals to shelter, as they gain access to our homes through the roof. It goes without saying that no one wants animals taking up residence in their attic.

Our wildlife control experts understand the stress that wildlife problems can cause, especially if wild animals get into your home. Active Pest Control is here to provide all the information you need about potential infestations in your attic.

Common Animals That Infest Attics

Georgians are no strangers to wild animals roaming around their neighborhoods. But how do these animals get in? Animals that can gain access to your roof are likely to make their way into your attic if given a chance. These five pests are most likely to be found infesting your attic:

  1. Bats: Possibly the most dangerous attic dweller is the bat. Bat waste is toxic and can cause health risks.
  2. Birds: Hearing chirping noises or fluttering indicates you could have a nest of birds in your attic. They have a harder time leaving once they’re inside.
  3. Rats & mice: These rodents can make some of the loudest noises with their scratching, chewing, squeaking, and running. The roof rat is the most common rodent in attics.
  4. Squirrels: All types of squirrels can squeeze in through tiny openings and are feared for their ability to chew through wires.
  5. Raccoons: Female raccoons are known to nest in attics, and can come and go during the day and night. Chattering noises may indicate a nest of baby raccoons.

How Do I Get Rid of Animals in the Attic?

In the event that you think an animal lives in your attic, you shouldn’t go hunting for it on your own. When you try to get rid of the animal, bat, or bird on your own, you put yourself and your family at risk. If wild animals feel threatened, they may bite. This alone makes it important to hire a professional. When you work with a humane wildlife removal company, such as Active Pest Control, you can rest assured that the safest traps will be used to capture and relocate wild animals.

Certified Wildlife Removal Experts

At Active Pest Control, we understand how stressful it is to discover wildlife in your attic. Furthermore, wildlife poses a threat to your safety. Our animal removal experts will not only inspect your home thoroughly but will also put preventative measures in place to prevent wild animals from entering your attic in the future. Contact our wildlife experts today to learn more.

Prepare for Higher Pest Activity this Fall-Winter

Rats in Atlanta GA - Active Pest ControlEach season comes with its own kind of pest problems here in Atlanta GA. Differences in temperature, rainfall, plant growth, and even barometric pressure can affect the levels of pest activity and kind of active pests in the area. This means that taking the right steps to ward off pests takes different forms throughout the year, changing with the seasons. As we start to watch the vibrant colors of fall fade into winter, we can’t forget to adapt our routines to prevent newly-arising pest issues. Learn how with Active Pest Control!

Fall and Winter Pests in Atlanta

Did you notice the increase in rainfall this autumn? Atlanta has seen a steady increase in rainfall over recent years, leading to inflated pest issues. Mosquitoes, in particular, have been thriving in the wetter environment. Because they breed in standing water, pooling rainfall leaves them with ample opportunities to proliferate and multiply their populations’ numbers.

Once average temperatures drop below 50 degrees, though, mosquitoes give way to rodents as the primary pests to worry about. Looking for warmth and shelter for the winter, mice and rats will look for any ways that they can get into our homes. With the ability to squeeze through tiny holes, rodents can sneak into our walls, attics, and crawl spaces through gaps that we don’t even notice are there.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recently put out their biannual Bug Barometer. Read the full report here.

2021 Bug Barometer - Active Pest Control

How to Prevent Pests in Fall and Winter

As the nature of active pests changes, our prevention strategies have to change too. There are three main measures that you can take to ensure that you don’t deal with any infestations during the colder months:

  1. Check around your home for entry points that could invite rodents indoors. These could be cracks in your foundation and walls, broken roofing or vents, or gaps around windows and doors.
  2. Keep your yard in order. It’s important to keep your grass cut low to eliminate standing water from pooling up and hosting pests. Yard waste and firewood piles can also create temporary shelters for rats and mice.
  3. Don’t leave out food or trash. Use covered, sealable bins for your garbage and take them out often. When you’re done eating, clean dishes and any spills promptly and store your food in airtight containers.

Professional Pest Control for the Atlanta Winter

If your DIY pest prevention strategies aren’t cutting it, contact your local pest control company to see how they can help. At Active Pest Control, we train our technicians with information that we’ve gathered over decades protecting homes in and around Atlanta. We can provide a complete property inspection, then complete extermination or removal services for all active pests, and follow-up services to ensure that your property is prepared for the next season. For a free quote, contact us today!

5 Ways to Keep Rodents Away This Fall

5 Ways to Keep Rodents Away This Fall in Atlanta GA - Active Pest ControlIt’s fall, meaning it’s the season of the rodent! Every year in the fall and winter here in Atlanta, the number of rodent infestations goes way up. But why? As temperatures begin to dip this time of year, rat and mouse problems begin to get worse as the pests look for somewhere to bunker down for the winter. With Rodent Awareness Week around the corner, the experts at Active Pest Control are here to share all you need to know about seasonal rodent infestations, including what you can do to keep them at bay. Read on to learn more!

How to Keep Rats and Mice Away in Atlanta

Rodents are very apt at getting into your home much easier than you’d think. Mice, in particular, can squeeze through openings the size of a pencil eraser, and rats are extremely apt jumpers and climbers. In fact, some rodents can scale vertical walls, including brick and concrete walls. Needless to say, it’s important to learn how to make your property inaccessible to them entirely.

Our top five tips to keep rodents away are as follows.

  1. Inspect your property to look for any openings rodents may have snuck through. By sealing these openings and closing up gaps around vents and soffits, you can effectively keep rodents out.
  2. Further rat-proof your property by repairing your roof and monitoring drains. By limiting their access points, you can get rid of the means by which rodents get inside of your property.
  3. Look into traps and baits. If you have just a couple of rodents in your property, you can effectively get rid of them using bait or traps. Keep in mind this is not a strong enough solution for an entire infestation.
  4. Implement preventative measures. Simple pest prevention measures go a long way to keep rodents away, too. This includes taking proper care of your yard and maintaining a tidy yard.
  5. Get professional rodent control services. If you have a serious rodent problem, the best thing you can do is hire a pest control expert. A professional will know to safely and effectively get rid of the pests for good.

Rodent Prevention in the Fall

Every Rodent Awareness Week, the rodent exterminators at Active Pest Control aim to educate our community about the dangers of rodent infestations. To avoid them, it’s crucial to put a stop to rats getting inside in the first place. To learn more about keeping rats and mice out this fall and winter, contact us today to learn more!

Is It a Mouse or a Rat?

How to identify rats and mice in Atlanta GA - Active Pest ControlAs two of the most common pest rodents, rats and mice cause a lot of trouble for Atlanta GA area homeowners. All types of rodents share a common identifying feature: their ever-growing incisor teeth. They also typically all possess short legs and a long tail, but their similarities stop there. In addition to having different characteristics, these rodents also exhibit different behaviors. A rat infestation can be much different than a mouse infestation, which is one of the reasons why it’s important to know how to tell the difference between these two. Read on for Active Pest Control’ guide to knowing if you are dealing with a mouse or a rat problem.

All About Mice

Mice are typically significantly smaller than rats and exhibit different behaviors. Here’s how to tell them apart:

  • The house mouse is usually just 2–4 inches long.
  • Mice have larger ears and a longer tail compared to its body length.
  • Mice are often gray or brown in color, with a lighter shade or white color on their bellies.
  • Mice droppings have pointed ends and are just 1–2 mm long.
  • Most mice feed on fruits, seeds, grains, and occasionally meat.
  • They produce 5–10 litters a year with up to 14 mice in each litter.
  • Mice forage at dusk and nest in attics, garages, basements, and more.

Mouse and rat identification Active Pest Control

Rat Identification

From the Norway rat to the roof rat, these rodents are known for being larger than their mouse counterparts.

  • Rats have thicker bodies and tails that are shorter than the length of their body.
  • They possess small hairy ears and larger feet.
  • They weigh anywhere from 150 to 300 grams.
  • Rat droppings are banana-shaped and much bigger than mice droppings at 10–20 mm long.
  • Rats produce 3–6 litters a year with up to 10 pups in each litter.
  • Rats are adventurous, omnivorous eaters who will feed on a variety of grains and meats.
  • They forage overnight and nest in garages, trees, and basements.

Are Rats More Dangerous Than Mice?

Due to their gnawing and chewing habits, a mouse or rat infestation can be equally dangerous. Rodents are infamous for their ability to carry and spread a number of potentially dangerous diseases. They also can trigger allergies in people. A rodent problem can be a mess to clean up due to the amount of droppings and urine left behind. Lastly, they can cause significant damage to your home. Both mice and rats will chew through insulation, cardboard, wood, and electrical wiring, which can create a fire hazard in your property.

How to Tell If You Have Rats or Mice

It can be easy to tell when you have a rodent problem in your home. However, you likely do not want to get close enough to tell whether you have rats or mice! Your best bet at knowing is to enlist the help of a rodent control expert such as Active Pest Control. We can determine the rodent species that has infested your property and come up with a plan to control them—quick.

Are Rodents More Dangerous During the Pandemic?

Rodent infestations are surging in Atlanta GA during the pandemic - Active Pest ControlIt’s Rodent Awareness Week, and rodent infestations are on the rise. Due to the pandemic, reports of rodent sightings have surged. But why? Back when the coronavirus hit and restaurants began to shutter, rats and mice were suddenly deprived of their food sources. Especially here in Atlanta, this led to more infestations as rodents entered residential homes in search of resources. With the seasons changing as we speak, rodents during the pandemic are even more inclined to be indoors this time of year to stay warm. With infestations on the rise during the pandemic, now is the time to learn how to effectively prevent rodent problems in your property. The team at Active Pest Control is here to help.

Rodent Infestations During a Pandemic

Rodents are known to spread a number of dangerous diseases, but what about COVID-19? While rats and mice have been linked to certain coronaviruses, there is no current evidence or research to show that rodents are transmitting the current strain (SARS-CoV-2) to humans.

Here’s what to know about rodents during the pandemic:

  1. Due to the restaurant shutdowns and lockdowns, there have been several reported cases of rats and mice becoming more bold and rampant in the absence of food sources.
  2. The surge in rodent activity leads to a bigger risk of infestations and rodent-spread issues.
  3. While they won’t transmit COVID-19 to you or your family, rodents still can spread other diseases including hantavirus, salmonellosis, and more.
  4. Once inside your home, rodents can cause damage with their chewing and nesting habits.

Preventing Rodents During COVID-19

The last thing you want to deal with this year is a rat or mouse problem inside your property. To avoid the frustration of an infestation, implement the following rodent prevention tips:

  1. Store food properly. Securely store food in tight-fitting containers with lids.
  2. Seal holes around pipes. Use caulk or wire wool to cover up gaps and openings near pipes and other openings.
  3. Cover vents. Install mesh screens on your vents. Also, consider installing screens on doors and windows.
  4. Use tight lids on trash cans. Rodents love to rummage in the garbage! If possible, keep your trash cans sealed.
  5. Protect eaves. Fix any damaged roofing and use wire mesh to seal gaps in your eaves.

Rodent Awareness Week 2020

Here at Active Pest Control, we aim to help educate our customers every Rodent Awareness Week. Now more than ever with rodent problems on the rise, it’s important to learn how to keep rats and mice out of your home. If you need assistance keeping rodents out of your Atlanta GA home, our rodent exterminators are standing by to help. Contact us today to learn more!

Rodents: The Diseases and Damage They Cause

Rodents can chew on wires and spread disease in your Atlanta GA home. The rodent exterminators at Active Pest Control can help!A rodent infestation is any homeowner’s worst nightmare. Not only are they gross and messy—there are many dangers of rodents to be aware of! Rats and mice can contaminate any surface they walk across, spreading bacteria wherever they go. Some of the world’s most infamous diseases are spread by rats or mice feces, and the nesting habits of rodents can cause damage inside homes and businesses. Because rodent infestations can be dangerous, it’s important to always enlist the help of a rats and mice exterminator to get rid of them.

What Diseases are Spread by Rodents?

Rodent-borne diseases can be spread directly or indirectly. When they’re transmitted directly, it’s often when a human comes into contact with a rodent’s saliva or droppings, or a bite occurs. Indirectly, these diseases are spread by infected fleas, mites, and ticks. Some of the most dangerous diseases spread by rodents include the following:

  1. Hantavirus. Most often found in the urine and feces of deer mice, hantavirus can cause symptoms from fever and chills to aches in pains. In serious cases, it can lead to kidney failure or worse.
  2. Salmonella. The bacteria spread by rats and mice can track onto food. The most infamous bacteria is of course salmonella, known as food poisoning.
  3. Lyme Disease. This is of course transmitted by ticks, which are often carried by rats and mice. This disease is dangerous and can have long-term effects on health.
  4. Plague. Historically, the bubonic plague was caused by infected fleas that were carried by rats and mice. This disease can still be spread today.

Damage Caused by Rats & Mice

Rats have incisors that never stop growing … meaning they never stop chewing! Their chewing habits can lead to a lot of damage inside your home or business, especially when electrical wires are damaged. Exposed wires can short circuit and cause a fire hazard. Rats and mice will tear through materials to create nests, and rats have been known to cause structural damage in properties by cutting through tough materials in your home. If an infestation is ignored, the damage inflicted on your property can be more severe than you think.

Why Use a Rodent Exterminator?

To avoid the dangers of rodents, it’s important to work with a professional rats and mice exterminator such as Active Pest Control. Our rodent control team has the years of experience required to control infestations and keep rats out of Atlanta GA homes all year long. We can also help you learn more about preventing rodent infestations from ever starting in the first place!

How to Set a Mousetrap

Mousetrap in Atlanta GA home - Active Pest Control provides expert tips on setting a mousetrap properlyNo one wants to deal with a mice infestation. Mice are a dreaded household pest because they spread disease and filth. Some of the signs you may have a mouse problem are droppings, foul odors, shredded insulation or cardboard, and—of course—spotting a mouse! Seeing even one may indicate that you have many more hidden, which is why it’s important to learn how to set a mousetrap.

How Does a Mousetrap Work?

There are several types of mousetraps, including electronic, catch-and-release, and glue traps. All types have their pros and cons. Perhaps the most common and popular type of mousetrap is the spring-loaded mousetrap. This classic design has been used for decades to catch mice, and is easier to set up than you may think!

Spring-loaded mousetraps are placed in areas of suspected rodent activity with bait. When the spring mechanism is triggered, the metal bar will snap and effectively catch the mouse.

5 Best Mousetrap Tips

When learning how to set a mousetrap, there are some tips to keep in mind. By keeping the following mousetrap tips in mind, you can be successful in setting mousetraps:

  1. Use the best mousetrap bait
    1. Contrary to popular opinion, some mice like cheese, and some don’t.
    2. You only need to use a small amount of bait that cannot be reached unless mice step on the trap. If they can swipe it without standing on the trap, they will!
  2. Start with unloaded mousetraps
    1. It may seem counter-intuitive, but start with unloaded traps (baited but not activated)!
    2. Mice are extremely skeptical of new things–especially human things.
    3. Set traps out with bait (without loading them) for a couple of nights. It lulls mice into a false sense of security.
  3. Use multiple traps at once
    1. By setting multiple traps two to three feet apart each, you have a better chance at catching as many mice as possible at once.
  4. Set mousetraps in the right places
    1. Mice travel along walls, under furniture, and generally any place that offers cover.
    2. Place mousetraps along walls and behind furniture, with the bait placed nearest to the wall.
  5. Check your mousetraps regularly
    1. Your mouse problem is not going to be gone overnight. It takes diligence to make sure traps are working, set, and not going to waste!
    2. Mice can, in some instances, grab bait without setting off the trap. They can also set the trap off without getting caught!

House Mouse Exterminators

If you’re still dealing with mice even after setting a few traps, it may be time to enlist the help of a professional pest control company. At Active Pest Control, our mice exterminators have years of experience properly getting rid of rodents in homes and businesses throughout Georgia. We will thoroughly inspect your property for sources of the infestation and customize a rodent control plan suited to your needs. To learn more about how to set a mousetrap or other mice extermination methods, give our team a call today!

Winter Rodent Control Checklist

How to implement rodent control for your winter home in Atlanta GA - Active Pest ControlMany people think pest problems only occur in the summer, but rodent infestations are very common in the winter! According to The National Pest Management Association (NPMA), 21 million homes in the U.S. are invaded by rodents each winter. As temperatures drop, rats and mice will look to make their way indoors for warmth and shelter. To avoid the diseases and destruction brought from rodent infestations, it’s important to implement rodent control into your home each year. Keep reading for Active Pest Control’s top tips for rats and mice prevention in the winter.

Do Rats & Mice Hibernate?

While some animals—certain rodents included—hibernate during the colder months, rats and mice stay active throughout the winter. Because they remain active in these months, they are even more compelled to enter homes to escape the cold outdoors. Once inside, they will nest and spread. In addition to their destructive gnawing and tunneling, rat droppings are capable of spreading disease. Because rodent infestations are so common in the winter, it’s essential to protect your home from them.

8-Point Rodent-Proofing Checklist

Winter Rodent Control Checklist - Active Pest Control in GeorgiaThere are eight spots in particular around your property that are vulnerable to rodent intrusions. By routinely checking the following areas, you can locate where rats and mice may attempt to make their way indoors. It’s important to make any repairs promptly and, in general, keep a tidy home and yard to prevent rodents. The eight main locations to check and make repairs include:

  • Roof
  • Vents
  • Screens
  • Vegetation
  • Gutters
  • Outside
  • Garage
  • Foundation

 

Winter Rodent Prevention

If after reviewing our 8-point checklist, you discover areas of your home needing repair, or more specifically, areas showing definite pest activity, the experts at Active Pest Control can help. We specialize in preventing pest problems before they begin, which is why we can help implement rodent control for your home for the winter. To learn more about protecting your home from rats and mice, give our team a call today!

Prevent Winter Pests in Your Home

A rodent is one of the many types of winter pests that may invade your GA home in the winter months - Active Pest ControlEveryone knows pests are a problem in the spring and summer months, but what about in the winter? Unfortunately, pests don’t disappear with the colder weather. In fact, many pests will look for ways to enter homes to escape the dropping temperatures, which is why infestations are common in Georgia winters. To protect your property from pest problems in the winter, it’s important to implement pest control and prevention.

Winter Pest Infestations

Certain insects will enter a state of diapause in the winter to wait out the cold months in favor of warmer weather. These include stink bugs, cluster flies, boxelder bugs, and Asian lady beetles. Other pests to be wary of in the winter months include:

  • Rats & mice. House mice and Norway rats in particular are known to squeeze their way indoors during the cold months.
  • Cockroaches. The German cockroach will hitchhike inside in boxes and can spread right under your nose.
  • Spiders. House spiders are typically harmless and can be found in dark, secluded areas of the home.
  • Bed bugs. Known to withstand extreme temperatures, bed bug problems are a threat during the winter.

How to Prevent Winter Pests

To protect your property from winter pests, it’s important to implement preventative measures into your home maintenance routine. This includes thoroughly inspecting your home on a regular basis to locate vulnerabilities. One of the most important measures you can take is to seal cracks and crevices outside your property to keep pests from making their way inside. In addition, you should place screens over vents and chimneys, store firewood away from your property line, promptly fix leaks or broken pipes, and keep a clean home to prevent winter pests.

Is Winter Pest Control Necessary?

Just like you, pests want to escape the cold temperatures during the winter. In their hunt for food and shelter, they may enter your home easier than you want to believe. It’s crucial to implement preventative steps to prevent pests in the winter. Active Pest Control can be trusted to help protect your property from winter pests and other pest problems throughout the entire year. Call our team today to learn more about our winter pest control services!