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Why Rockville Residents Need To Watch Out For Rodents This Winter

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Rodents are creatures belonging to the order Rodentia that exist in approximately 2,000 different species. Today, some types of “commensal” rodents choose to reside near humans, as this proximity often allows access to sources of food, water, and shelter. Some of the most prevalent home-invading rodents here in Rockville include house mice, deer mice, Norway rats, and roof rats.

Are you a homeowner looking for answers regarding the best ways of quickly expelling unwanted rodents from your home? You are not alone. Each year, property owners throughout Maryland face unexpected intrusions involving types of rodents. Those who experience the best results typically have help from qualified providers of rodent control in Rockville who receive proper training and have many of the best treatment options at their disposal.

Why Rodent Activity Increases As Temperatures Cool

What do some of the rodents in Maryland become more active as the winter months approach? Rodents will commonly infiltrate homes as the weather gets colder seeking refuge in the warmer confines of your home. According to estimates from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), rodent intrusions occur in roughly 21 million U.S. homes each winter.

How To Tell If Your Rockville Home Is At Risk For Rodent Activity

What are some of the most common property conditions that will make your home more susceptible to a dangerous rodent infestation in Rockville? Many local property owners fail to recognize the importance of minimizing attractants, especially possible food sources, from both the interior and exterior areas of the home. Some of these attractants that often invite rodent activity include the presence of bird feeders, bags of trash carelessly placed outdoors, and bowls of pet food left in garages, patios, or decks.

Similarly, failing to properly limit attractants inside the home is another common concern when it comes to rodents. Many homeowners have lax indoor cleaning habits, particularly in kitchen areas. Here, you might find dirty dishes left scattered on countertops and sinks overnight, kitchen trash cans overflowing with food scraps, and floors that are covered with crumbs.

In many cases, homeowners fail to recognize some of the signs of initial rodent activity inside their homes. Mice, rats, and other rodents are largely nocturnal and prefer to emerge at night when the home’s occupants are not active. Also, rodents are generally fearful of humans, meaning that they will intentionally avoid direct encounters; therefore, it is critical to recognize signs of rodent activity despite not actually seeing live rodents indoors.

Some of the most common indications of a rodent problem include trails of droppings, infiltrated bags of dried food in cupboards or pantries, unpleasant odors, and damaged materials such as fabric or insulation inside the home that rodents use for constructing nests.  

Tips To Minimize Your Risk For Winter Rodents

What are some of the most effective rodent prevention methods? Property owners in the Rockville area should try some of the following strategies:

  • Keep tree branches and tall shrubs trimmed back away from the structure to prevent roof rats from accessing the upper parts of the home.
  • Fill any crevices or openings around the external foundation of the structure to keep rodents from entering crawl spaces and basements. 
  • Use weatherstripping to fill any gaps around the frames of windows and install sweeps along the bases of exterior doors.

Rodents are persistent and crafty creatures that may find their way inside your home despite your best preventative measures. In these situations, immediately speaking with a local pest control professional is the best solution. Properly trained rodent exterminators are familiar with the kinds of rodents that infiltrate homes in this region and understand how to safely remove them.

Got Rodents? Call Womack Pest Control For Help

Which of the home rodent control products sold by local retailers are the most effective options?

Home improvement stores promote a range of do-it-yourself rodent control options for those in the Rockville region who are trying to remove these critters from their properties. Many of these baiting systems, snap traps, sticky traps, and other mass-marketed products fail to generate the “quick and easy” results touted in their advertising. Rather than creating the prolonged frustration associated with store-bought options, property owners in Rockville should consult with trained pest management professionals.

Womack Pest Control remains among the leading providers of professional rodent control for residents in Rockville. The team of trained technicians with our company will respond promptly, perform a detailed inspection, and create a customized treatment plan for the removal of these bothersome creatures from the premises. Local homeowners facing problems involving rodents are encouraged to contact our office today for information.