Rodents can be a big problem in any home, especially during the colder Maryland months. They can get into your home in several ways, and once they do, it can be difficult to get rid of them without professional pest control services. But there are ways to keep rodents out of your home, and, if the problem hasn’t gotten too big, here are some tips on how to get rid of rodents in Fallston, MD.
Most Common Types of Rodents in Maryland
Although the term “rodent” can refer to several common Maryland animals, including squirrels, voles, and chipmunks, mice are the most common type of rodent that Fallston residents have to deal with — they’re small, quick, and can hide in tiny spaces. They’re also known to be very messy, leaving their droppings all over your home.
Rats are larger than mice and can be more difficult to get rid of. They are also known to be very destructive and can cause a lot of damage to your home, including chewing through wood and insulation. They also often chew through wires which can lead to the danger of fire in your home.
As a local pest control company since 1984, we’ve seen first-hand the damage rodents can cause – and it’s not pretty.
Your Fallston, MD, Home Is Attractive to Rodents
As winter approaches, small animals like mice and rats will be forced to seek shelter from the cold. While some rodents build nests and burrows on their own, others may see your home as the perfect place to spend the winter.
In order to prevent rodents from choosing to move in with you, here are some suggestions on how you can keep rodents out of your home in Fallston, MD:
1. Inspect your home for gaps or holes that could serve as entry points for rodents, and seal them up with caulk or steel wool.
2. Keep food stored in airtight containers and dispose of garbage, including cardboard boxes, regularly to avoid attracting rodents.
3. Set traps baited with peanut butter, cheese, or other food items near where you’ve seen evidence of rodents.
4. Use poison to get rid of mice and rats, but be extremely careful about which products you buy and how you use and store them.
If you have any questions about using poisons or over-the-counter DIY pest control solutions, contact Brody Brothers Pest Control. We’re always happy to help.
5. Know when it’s time to call a Fallston pest control company to help get rid of rodents and keep them out of your home.
Rodents Can Carry Dangerous Diseases
If you have rodents in your Fallston home, it’s important to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Beyond making you feel uneasy knowing they’re around, they can also carry and transmit many harmful diseases.
For example, simply coming into contact with tiny pebbles of rat feces can cause Salmonella. This can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, and can be fatal in some cases.
Another common disease carried by rats and mice is Hantavirus. This virus affects your lungs and can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. It’s transmitted through the feces, urine, and saliva of rodents.
So even if you never actually see a rodent in your home, what they leave behind can be very dangerous and make your family sick.
Tips on How to Get Rid of Rodents
There are different ways to get rid of rodents, and the best method will vary depending on the type of problem you’re having. For example, if you have an infestation of mice, you may want to try using traps or poison baits. If you’re just dealing with a few rats in your attic or garage, however, sealing up entry points may be enough to keep them away.
Identify Where the Rodents Are Entering Your Home
Believe it or not, mice can enter your home through a hole the size of a dime, and rats can enter through a hole the size of a quarter! That’s why it is important to seal any cracks and crevices around your home that provide access.
Once you identify them, you can use either caulk or steel wool to fill in any gaps that might be an entry point for rodents. If you’re searching for entry points during the winter, a good idea is to feel around doors and windows for cold air entering your home.
Keep Food Stored in Airtight Containers
Rats and mice are attracted by smells and can chew through almost anything, including the boxes of food in your pantry, like cereal and crackers. Plus, they can slip through tiny holes (or chew their way in) to get into bags of birdseed or dog food.
If you want to get rid of rodents and keep them away, it’s important to cut off their food supply. Storing food in airtight containers is one of the best ways to do this. It’s also important to keep your counters and floors free of crumbs.
Another tip, especially during the holidays, is to not let those cardboard delivery boxes pile up around your home or in the garage. They provide a great nesting area for rodents.
Set Traps With Food That Attracts Rodents
While you want to store food properly to keep rodents out of your kitchen, you can also use food to attract them to where you want them to go. One way to do this is by setting traps baited with food items like peanut butter or cheese near where you’ve seen evidence of rodent activity.
The only downside to this method is that you have to deal with the results. Be sure to check the mice or rat traps regularly and take care of any caught rodents immediately.
Using Poison to Get Rid of Rodents
There are a number of ways to use poison to get rid of rodents. One way is to purchase poison bait that is specifically designed to kill rats and mice. These baits are available at most hardware and home improvement stores.
Another way to use poison to kill rats is to make your own poison bait. This can be done by mixing together equal parts of flour, sugar, and borax. The rats will be attracted to the sweet taste of the bait and will ingest the poison when they eat it.
However, anytime you use poisons you need to be extremely careful about where you use them and how you store them. Especially if you have small children or pets.
Call Professional Pest Control Experts in Fallston, MD
If you’ve already tried the above methods, or simply don’t want to mess with poisons and traps, it might be time to bring in professional pest control experts. And if you want to make sure you hire the best, Brody Brothers Pest Control is the #1 trusted local pest control company in Fallston, MD.
We’ve been serving the area for over 35 years and are experts in pest and rodent control. Having seen it all and fixed it all, our pest control services are proven effective and will solve your rat or mice problem in no time. Call us today at (410) 653-2121 for a free estimate on giving you back the peace of mind of knowing your family is safe and your home is rodent-free.
About Brody Brothers Pest Control in Fallston, MD
Since 1984, Brody Brothers Pest Control has been one of the top pest control companies serving the Harford County area, including Fallston, MD. Our quality pest control services are performed by licensed pest control technicians. We can expertly take care of common pests, including termite control, ant control, extermination of bed bugs, prevention of mosquitoes, rodent control service, stinging insects, and cockroaches.
For over three decades, local homeowners have trusted us to protect their families by providing pest control service that takes care of pest problems, including complex pest infestations. If you’re searching for Fallston pest control companies, Brody Brothers is the right pest control company to offer affordable pest solutions that simply work. We offer free estimates and same-day pest control service. Contact us today.
