So many times do we see larger pests like woodchucks and skunks making dens under decks, additions and sheds. It is not uncommon at all. They excavate dirt and erode around footings and sidewalks. This moving of the soil can lead to all sorts of problems with the decline of structures in the area being the worst. An underground fence will stop and prevent these pests from being able to get into the void under decks, additions and sheds. The areas where you are least likely to look and most likely to have vulnerable stuff like plumbing, electrical and accessible (inaccessible for us) access into the home. Schedule a no-charge inspection to learn more how we can help you protect your home from nuisance wildlife.
Tag: exterminator
Keep Flying Squirrels Out: Effective Exclusion Methods
Flying squirrels have made their way into this attic by chewing into the sill plate for the gable vent. The hardware cloth was not covering well enough and the squirrels exposed that weakness. We removed and replaced the bottom sill and then secured hardware cloth to the new piece. Now the squirrels would have to chew thru metal to get inside.
Flying squirrels belong to the family Sciuridae, and contrary to their name, they are not true flyers but are remarkable gliders. There are around 50 species of flying squirrels found worldwide, distributed across Asia, Europe, and North America. Among them, the northern and southern flying squirrels are the most commonly known.
The most distinctive feature of flying squirrels is their patagium, a specialized membrane of skin that extends between their forelimbs and hindlimbs. This patagium acts as a parachute, allowing them to glide effortlessly through the air. When they stretch their limbs out, the patagium expands, creating a larger surface area to catch air currents.
Flying squirrels are predominantly nocturnal creatures, well adapted to their nighttime habitat. They possess large, forward-facing eyes that enhance their depth perception and night vision. Their keen eyesight enables them to spot potential predators and navigate through dense forests in the dark.
These agile gliders make their homes in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and sometimes even urban areas. Their diet primarily consists of nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and tree sap. They have sharp incisors that help them gnaw through hard shells and bark to access their preferred food sources.
Flying squirrels are generally solitary animals, but some species exhibit social behavior and live in small groups. They communicate through vocalizations, scent marking, and visual displays. Breeding season varies among different species, but typically occurs during spring or summer. Female flying squirrels give birth to litters of two to five young ones, which are blind and hairless at birth.
Preventing squirrels from entering your home is crucial for several reasons. While squirrels may appear cute and harmless, their presence inside residential spaces can lead to various problems and potential hazards. Here are some key reasons why it is important to keep squirrels out of your home:
Property Damage: Squirrels have strong and sharp teeth that they use for gnawing. Once inside your home, they can cause significant damage to electrical wiring, insulation, wooden structures, and personal belongings. Chewed wires can pose a fire hazard, and structural damage can compromise the integrity of your home.
Nesting and Chewing Habits: Squirrels are known to create nests within attics, crawlspaces, and wall voids. They will tear up insulation, shred materials, and use these items to build their nests. Their constant chewing can lead to costly repairs and potential safety hazards.
Health Risks: Squirrels can carry various parasites, including fleas, ticks, and mites, which can transmit diseases to humans and pets. Their droppings can also contaminate the environment with bacteria and fungi, potentially causing respiratory issues and other health problems.
Noise and Disturbance: Once inside your home, squirrels can be noisy, especially during their active periods, which can disrupt your sleep and daily routines. Their scratching, running, and gnawing sounds can be quite bothersome.
Increased Pest Activity: Squirrels can attract other pests such as rats and mice, as they leave behind food debris and create entry points that these smaller pests can exploit. This can lead to infestations and further property damage.
Mice vs. Rats: Understanding the Difference
Lets play “Is it mice or rats?”
Spoiler alert…it’s rats. What might look like dirt or debris are actually rat droppings all around this bait station on the ground. Mice and rats are two common household pests that can cause havoc and discomfort when they invade our living spaces. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are distinct differences between these rodents.
Physical Appearance:
One of the primary ways to differentiate mice from rats is through their physical attributes. Mice are generally smaller, measuring around 2 to 4 inches in length, with slender bodies, pointed noses, and relatively large ears. In contrast, rats are larger, ranging from 6 to 9 inches in length, with more robust bodies, blunt noses, and smaller ears compared to their body size.
Tail Length:
Another noticeable distinction between mice and rats lies in their tails. Mice have thin, long, and slightly hairy tails that are typically equal to or longer than their body length. On the other hand, rats possess thick, hairless, and scaly tails that are shorter than their body length.
Behavior and Habits:
While both mice and rats are nocturnal creatures, they exhibit different behaviors and habits. Mice are known for their agility and ability to climb, jump, and squeeze through tiny openings. They are fast breeders and tend to build nests in hidden areas using materials like paper, fabric, or insulation. Mice are generally curious and cautious creatures, avoiding human contact whenever possible.
Rats, on the other hand, are excellent swimmers and burrowers. They are more cautious and exhibit neophobic tendencies, meaning they’re wary of new objects or changes in their environment. Rats often create complex burrow systems and tend to nest in dark, secluded areas such as basements or crawl spaces. Due to their larger size and stronger gnawing capabilities, rats can cause more structural damage than mice.
Dietary Preferences:
Both mice and rats are opportunistic eaters, but they differ in their dietary preferences. Mice are omnivorous and consume a variety of foods, including grains, seeds, fruits, and even small insects. They can survive on very little water, deriving most of their moisture from their food. Rats, on the other hand, are more flexible in their diet and can consume a wider range of foods, including grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, and even pet food. Rats require a regular source of water to survive.
Health Risks:
While both mice and rats can carry diseases and transmit them to humans through their urine, droppings, or bites, rats are generally considered more of a health concern due to their larger size and potential for more severe bites. Common diseases associated with these rodents include salmonellosis, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever.
Understanding the differences between mice and rats is essential for effective pest management. By recognizing their distinct physical characteristics, behaviors, habits, dietary preferences, and health risks, you can better identify the type of rodent infestation you may be dealing with. Whether it’s mice or rats, it’s important to address the issue promptly and seek professional pest control assistance to eliminate the problem and prevent further damage to your home or business.
Larder Beetles
I’m always a little hesitant to show some pics out of concern for the squeamish…but if you’re following this page it can’t be that bad. 😅
So, here we have an expired mouse and accompanying this little guy is a couple of Larder Beetles. If you are seeing these occasional invaders it could be an indication of another pest problem, in this case a mouse infestation.
Nice ootheca.
These Oriental cockroaches are BIG. Second picture shows a roach with an egg case (ootheca) still attached. These roaches tend to be found areas of high moisture outside but sometimes, like in this case will come up thru sewer systems. You can find these in sinks and around floor drains, much like you would American Roaches.
Home Improvements and pest prevention
Our renewal license just came in! Another year of helping in more ways than only applying pesticides. With this we can make improvements to homes to prevent pests as well replace the things they break!
Quit greasing up my walls mice!
These dirty spots are “rub marks” left behind from rodents, in this case it was mice. The oil from the rodent’s fur will rub off on the surfaces they frequently travel and squeeze thru. Over time it leaves this residue that can often be mistaken as dirt, water or some other stain. When you know what to look for then the big picture becomes more clear on how rodents are traveling and getting inside your structure.
The Importance of Installing Door Sweeps
When it comes to keeping pests out of your home or business, small measures can make a big difference. One often-overlooked yet highly effective method is the installation of door sweeps. In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of door sweeps and how they serve as a valuable line of defense against unwanted pests.
Sealing Potential Entry Points:
Doors, particularly those with gaps at the bottom, can provide easy access for pests such as rodents, insects, and even snakes. Door sweeps act as a barrier, sealing off this vulnerable area and preventing pests from infiltrating your space. By closing off potential entry points, you significantly reduce the likelihood of infestations.
Enhanced Energy Efficiency:
In addition to pest prevention, door sweeps contribute to energy efficiency. The gaps beneath doors can allow drafts to enter, leading to temperature fluctuations and increased energy consumption. By sealing these gaps with door sweeps, you create a better seal, reducing energy loss and lowering utility costs.
Deterrence of Crawling Insects:
Certain types of pests, such as cockroaches, ants, and spiders, are adept at squeezing through even the tiniest cracks and crevices. Installing door sweeps blocks their path, making it more difficult for them to enter your home or business. By denying them entry, you can minimize the risk of infestations and the associated health concerns.
Rodent Exclusion:
Rodents, such as mice and rats, are notorious for finding their way indoors through small openings. A door sweep acts as a physical barrier that hinders their ability to enter. By implementing this simple measure, you protect your property from the damage, contamination, and health risks associated with rodent infestations.
Maintenance of Cleanliness:
Pests can bring dirt, allergens, and disease-causing pathogens into your home or business. By installing door sweeps, you create an additional layer of defense, helping to maintain a cleaner and healthier environment. It becomes easier to keep pests and the associated mess outside, reducing the need for extensive cleaning efforts.
Ease of Installation and Cost-Effectiveness:
Installing door sweeps is a relatively simple and affordable process. They are available in various styles and materials to suit different types of doors. Whether you choose adhesive or screw-on sweeps, the installation can typically be done quickly and easily, providing an immediate improvement to your pest prevention efforts.
Preventing pests from entering your home or business is a proactive step towards maintaining a clean, comfortable, and healthy environment. Installing door sweeps is an effective and affordable method to seal potential entry points, deter crawling insects, exclude rodents, enhance energy efficiency, and promote cleanliness. By investing in this simple measure, you fortify your defense against unwanted pests, ensuring peace of mind for you, your family, or your customers. Take action today and install door sweeps to create a powerful barrier against pests and enjoy the benefits of a pest-free space.
Give us a call to install pest-proof door sweeps to your home or business.
Mouse Exclusion
When it comes to mouse exclusion I have mixed feelings. Of course if you can locate the entry points and seal them you will effectively stop rodents from traveling through this space. The trick is to locate all the ways these fury creatures gain entry into your home or business. It is not always so easy or obvious. Commercial spaces are constantly being renovated with additions made, walls torn down and put back up and a plethora of on-the-fly adjustments to get a project finished in time for the grand opening. In residential settings you often find additions like 4-season porches have been added or the garage was extended. While its lovely to have more space it also creates vulnerable cracks, gaps and spaces that mice will take advantage of. Once construction is completed it is difficult to pin point where the access points could be.
Bad-news is not always the case when dealing with rodent entry points. Sometimes you get what I like to call as the “smoking gun” spot. It’s obvious when you find it. It’s the “ah ha” moment when the whole thing makes sense. These are the magical areas i’m constantly on the lookout for. The irrefutable entry ways that mice are definitely using. It may not be the only source of travel for them but you know by sealing up this one you will be making a major blow to their entire operation. The picture here is one of those moments. Along the wall is a crack…well more of a space that is allow mice to scurry between the floor. This space is by design, it’s not a problem with construction but left there to allow the floor to move a little with the changing of temperatures. However, something needs to be done to stop the pathway from mickey’s clubhouse. These hairballs have caused too much grief and became too comfortable that intervention is needed. We can’t have pests around food or customers and measures needed to be taken to stop the flow of mice into the restaurant.
Squirrels In CT Are Dangerous
February into March we start to see an uptick in squirrel activity. Specifically invading homes and making nests to start rearing young. In the process they tear up insulation, chew wires, deposit urine and feces and basically make a mess of the space they inhabited. Getting to the problem early makes control easier, more effective at times and can prevent future damage during the eviction process. If you suspect squirrels or any other pest in your home don’t delay and give us a call for a free inspection.