What to Do About Rodents in Attic Spaces
Have you ever been sitting on the couch and suddenly hear a pitter-patter coming from above the ceiling? Unless it just happens to be Christmas Eve, it’s probably not Santa Claus. It could mean some very bad tidings indeed. Because especially here in the warm Central Florida area, rodents in attic and crawl spaces are a real nuisance.
But why are they such an issue, how can we identify them, and how do we prevent it in the future? Let’s discuss the reasons, with all of their pesky, hairy little details.
Little Critters, Big Problems
At first, having rodents in attics or crawl spaces may not seem like a big deal. After all, it’s pretty empty up there; as long as they stay up there, they won’t be an issue down here, right? Not so fast!
An undiagnosed rodent infestation can quickly go from a few mice or squirrels seeking shelter and a family of rodents taking over the upper half of your house. Rodents often bring with them harmful diseases that can infect you and your children. They chew on your trusses, walls, and insulation. They can even chew your electrical wiring, which could ruin appliances and your entire electrical system in your home.
How to Identify Rodents in Attic Space
We’ve already discussed the easiest way to detect rodents in attic spaces: hearing them scamper across the floor. But there are many other ways to identify rodent problems, even without seeing one.
- Rodents often form nests out of scraps, like newspaper and insulation.
- They will leave droppings and urinate throughout your attic.
- Check for chewing marks on the trusses, rafters, floorboards, pipes, and any other wooden members in your attic.
- Look for swing marks or Sebum (an oily residue from their body).
These are clear signs of a rodent infestation, and immediate action is needed.
How to Prevent it
Keep an eye peeled for any holes and gaps that rodents could squeeze through, and be sure to patch them. A hole the size 6mm is enough for a mouse to squeeze through and a hole the size of 12mm is enough for a rat to squeeze through. Perhaps tidy up the attic so that there are not so many cozy nooks for them to burrow inside. And if you see any loose crumbs of food around the immediate area, make sure to clean those up as well.
Dealing with Rodents in Attic Spaces?
Dealing with rodents in your home is such a pesky problem to have, but it’s our specialty to resolve it. If you’re having rodent problems in your home, contact us today so you can go back to having pest-free, carefree peace of mind.