News & Information Center Home /News April Showers Bring May…Mosquitoes? May 6, 2025 As the rain soaks the soil and flowers begin to bloom, spring in New England comes to life. But there’s a less pleasant side effect of all that moisture and warmth: mosquitoes and ticks. Those April showers that feed your garden also… Continue reading April Showers Bring May…Mosquitoes?
Category: Pest Info
Be on the Lookout: Signs of a Termite Infestation
News & Information Center Home /News Be on the Lookout: Signs of a Termite Infestation April 21, 2025 Be on the Lookout for Termites 🕵️ Be on the Lookout for Termites: Tiny Pests, Big Trouble! As the weather warms up in New England, flowers aren’t the only things springing to life. Beneath the soil, behind… Continue reading Be on the Lookout: Signs of a Termite Infestation
Just Moved In? Protect Your New Home with Proactive Pest Control
News & Information Center Home /News Just Moved In? Protect Your New Home with Proactive Pest Control March 25, 2025 Protect Your New Home with Verdant Pest Control Just Moved In? Protect Your New Home with Proactive Pest Control Buying or building a new home is one of life’s most exciting milestones. You’ve made a… Continue reading Just Moved In? Protect Your New Home with Proactive Pest Control
Understanding Eastern Subterranean Termites
News & Information Center Home /News Understanding Eastern Subterranean Termites March 12, 2025 Why Professional Termite Control is Essential for Your Home or Business Termites may be small, but they are one of the most destructive pests a home or business can face. Eastern subterranean termites, the most common species in New England, cause billions… Continue reading Understanding Eastern Subterranean Termites
What Are Swarming Termites?
News & Information Center Home /News What Are Swarming Termites? March 11, 2025 Swarming Termites in Connecticut Swarming Termites in Connecticut: What to Look For and How to Protect Your Home Springtime in Connecticut signals the return of warmer weather, blooming flowers, and unfortunately, the emergence of swarming termites. This year, reports of swarming termites… Continue reading What Are Swarming Termites?
Carpenter Ants Are Waking Up
News & Information Center Home /News Carpenter Ants Are Waking Up March 10, 2025 Carpenter Ants Are Waking Up: Why March is the Time to Take Action Carpenter Ants Are Waking Up: Why March is the Time to Take Action As winter fades and temperatures rise, carpenter ants in New England begin to stir. March… Continue reading Carpenter Ants Are Waking Up
Mice In The Kitchen, An Unsettling Experience
News & Information Center Home /News The Perils of Mice in Your Kitchen & How Verdant Pest Control Can Help Mice in the Kitchen, An Unsettling Experience Why Mice in Your Kitchen Are a Serious Problem Mice may seem small and harmless, but having them in your kitchen can pose serious health risks. These rodents… Continue reading Mice In The Kitchen, An Unsettling Experience
Mouse Exclusion Pest Control
Why Hiring a Pest Control Company for Mouse Exclusion Is a Smart Choice for Your Home
1. Expert Knowledge of Mouse Entry Points
Mice are clever creatures, often finding ways to sneak into homes through even the tiniest gaps. An exterminator from Verdant Pest Control knows exactly where to look for potential entry points—areas homeowners may not even think to inspect. These include small cracks around doors, windows, foundation vents, utility pipes, and vents. By conducting a thorough inspection, professionals can identify vulnerable areas and effectively seal them, preventing mice from finding their way into your home.
2. Targeted Approach to Preventing Future Invasions
Mouse exclusion isn’t just about removing the rodents that are already inside; it’s about preventing them from returning. With years of experience, technicians at Verdant Pest Control have developed a keen understanding of the patterns and behaviors of mice. Their comprehensive knowledge helps them apply targeted exclusion strategies that go beyond just patching up holes. The right approach can include ensuring that all entry points are sealed properly and recommending long-term measures, such as keeping food sources secure and removing clutter around the home, to make your property less inviting to rodents.
3. Years of Experience Make a Difference
Verdant Pest Control’s technicians bring years of experience and know-how to the table. This extensive background provides them with an edge over mice, allowing them to anticipate and address common rodent challenges before they become a serious issue. Experience equips professionals with the tools and techniques to act quickly and efficiently, ensuring your home remains secure against rodents for years to come.
4. Reduced Risk of Health Hazards and Damage
Mice are more than just an inconvenience—they can pose serious health risks and cause significant property damage. Mice carry diseases, contaminate food, and leave droppings that can trigger allergies or respiratory issues. They can also chew through electrical wires, insulation, and structural elements, leading to costly repairs. By investing in mouse exclusion services, you’re proactively safeguarding your home and family against these risks.
5. Exclusion Doesn’t Guarantee 100% Prevention, but It’s a Game Changer
It’s important to remember that no exclusion method can provide an absolute guarantee that mice won’t occasionally find their way inside. However, the services provided by Verdant Pest Control drastically reduce the likelihood of infestations by addressing the root causes and eliminating key entry points. When done correctly, mouse exclusion can significantly lower the number of rodent invaders attempting to gain access to your home, leaving you with peace of mind.
6. Cost-Effective in the Long Run
While hiring a pest control company for exclusion services may seem like an expense at first, it’s a cost-effective solution in the long run. Think about the potential damage and health costs that could arise from a rodent infestation. Professional exclusion helps you avoid the need for ongoing extermination treatments or expensive repairs caused by gnawing, burrowing, and contamination. It’s an upfront investment that saves you from higher costs down the line.
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Do rodents chew wires?
Do Rodents Chew Wires? The Eastern Gray Squirrel’s Role in Attic Damage
If you’ve ever experienced electrical issues or found suspicious chew marks on wires in your attic, you might have a rodent problem. One of the most common culprits behind chewed wires in Connecticut, Massachusetts or Rhode Island homes is the Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). These agile rodents are not only capable of causing significant property damage, but they also pose serious safety risks, including fire hazards.
Why Do Eastern Gray Squirrels Chew Wires?
Rodents such as squirrels, mice and rats have ever-growing incisors, which means they must constantly gnaw on materials to keep their teeth from becoming too long. Unfortunately, one of their favorite materials to chew is electrical wiring. In an attic, squirrels will often target wires as they build nests, which can lead to short circuits, power outages, or even house fires. For a period of time electrical wiring was being made with soy materials which invites rodents in for a snack.
Breeding Seasons and Nesting Habits
Understanding the life cycle of Eastern Gray Squirrels can help homeowners anticipate when these rodents are most likely to invade attics and other structures.
- Breeding Season: January–February & May–June
- Gestation Period: 42–45 days
- Birthing Months: March–April & July–September
- Litter Size: 2–7 pups (most commonly 3)
- Nest Departure: Young squirrels begin leaving the nest around 7–8 weeks old
During these breeding seasons, pregnant females seek out warm, safe locations to have their litters. This includes attics, stored outdoor items, sheds, and tree cavities. Once inside, they create nests using insulation, wood, and other materials, making themselves right at home.
The Dangers of Squirrel Infestations
If you suspect squirrels or other rodents in your attic, it’s crucial to act fast. These pests can cause numerous problems, including:
- Structural and Electrical Damage – Squirrels chew through wires, insulation, wood, and even drywall, leading to costly repairs.
- Health Risks – Squirrels carry diseases, viruses, and pathogens that can contaminate your home.
- Fire Hazards – Damaged electrical wiring increases the risk of house fires.
- Sanitation Issues – Rodents leave behind urine and droppings, which can cause foul odors and attract other pests.
- New Rodent Infestations – Urine and droppings create scent trails, signaling other rodents that the area is a suitable nesting site.
Effective Treatment & Prevention Options
If you’re dealing with squirrels or other rodents in your attic, professional pest control is the best solution. Here’s how experts handle the problem:
- Trapping – Humane trapping methods help remove existing squirrels and other pests.
- Exclusion – Sealing entry points prevents future invasions.
- Baiting – In some cases, baiting may be used as a control method.
- Routine Inspections & Preventative Treatments – Regular monitoring ensures that your home remains rodent-free.
Call a Pest Control Professional Today
If you suspect squirrels or other rodents have taken up residence in your attic, don’t wait until the damage is severe. A professional pest control company can assess the situation, remove the intruders, and implement preventative measures to protect your home.
Act now to safeguard your home from wire-chewing rodents and avoid costly repairs or fire hazards!
Avian Flu (H5N1) found in Connecticut
The Hidden Threat: Rodents and the Spread of Avian Flu
The ongoing spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 strain, has brought significant challenges to bird populations, farmers, and public health officials worldwide. While the primary transmission of the virus occurs among birds, recent developments highlight a less obvious but equally concerning pathway for its spread: rodents.
Why Rodents Are a Concern
Rodents, such as mice and rats, are ubiquitous in both urban and rural environments, often living unnoticed alongside poultry flocks. Their proximity to birds and ability to access contaminated areas make them potential vectors for HPAI transmission.
The virus can spread through contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated feed and water. Rodents, moving freely within and between coops, can pick up and carry the virus to new locations. This creates a hidden and persistent threat that is difficult to monitor and manage effectively.
Cross-Species Risks
While HPAI primarily targets birds, it has been documented to infect other animals, including mammals like foxes, mink, and even seals. This raises concerns that rodents could play a similar role, acting as a bridge to other species. Such spillover events are particularly worrisome because:
– Viral Adaptation: Rodents infected with HPAI could provide an environment for the virus to mutate, potentially increasing its ability to infect mammals, including humans.
– Spillover to Livestock and Pets: Beyond birds, cattle, pets, and other animals exposed to infected rodents could also contract the virus, posing additional challenges for disease containment.
Rodent Behavior: A Hidden Threat
Rodents are highly adaptable and often go unnoticed in backyard flocks and commercial farms alike. Their presence is especially concerning for several reasons:
– Stealth: Mice and rats often remain undetected, allowing them to access areas with high bird activity.
– Mobility: Rodents can easily move between coops, barns, and even residential areas, potentially spreading contamination.
– Persistence: Once established, rodent populations are notoriously difficult to eradicate, requiring sustained effort and resources.
Biosecurity and Rodent Control
Given these risks, controlling rodent populations is an essential part of any comprehensive biosecurity plan. Here are some key strategies to reduce the threat posed by rodents:
1. Sealing Entry Points: Inspect and repair any gaps or holes in coops, barns, and storage areas to prevent rodents from entering.
2. Maintaining Cleanliness: Keep feed in sealed containers, remove spilled grain promptly, and ensure water sources are not easily accessible to rodents.
3. Monitoring Rodent Activity: Use traps and monitoring tools to identify and address rodent presence early.
4. Professional Pest Control: For larger or persistent infestations, consult pest control professionals to implement effective eradication measures.
5. Educating Communities: Encourage awareness among poultry keepers about the risks of rodents and their role in disease transmission.
Public Health Implications
The potential role of rodents in spreading avian flu underscores the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the need for a “One Health” approach, which recognizes the links between human, animal, and environmental health. By addressing rodent control alongside traditional poultry biosecurity measures, we can reduce the risks of HPAI transmission and safeguard both animal and human populations.
As we continue to battle the spread of avian influenza, it’s crucial to recognize and mitigate all potential pathways for the virus to spread. Rodents, though small and often overlooked, represent a significant risk that demands attention. By prioritizing rodent control as part of a broader disease prevention strategy, poultry keepers and public health officials can work together to minimize the impact of HPAI and protect both flocks and communities.