Fall Rodent Control For Pee Dee & Grand Strand Homes

It’s that time of year again! The summer heat is finally giving way to cooler temperatures. You’ve likely noticed this change and started pulling out your sweaters and jackets, but it’s not only Pee Dee’s human residents who make changes when the seasons shift.

Rodents in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas are very attuned to changes in the weather. As summer turns to fall, these furry pests know they have a limited time to find a place where they can safely and warmly spend the winter. They don’t want just any area of shelter! Although they need someplace warm, they also need someplace that provides food and water. Your house might be the perfect fit for all of their needs.

If you want to avoid a rodent infestation in your home this fall, you’ll have to be proactive. Learn why rodents are so problematic and what you can do to stop them from getting inside with this handy prevention guide.

The types of rodents you might find in your Pee Dee or Grand Strand home

There are several common species of rodents in our area. Mice, Norway rats, and roof rats are most likely to try to move into your house. It’s helpful to understand some basic things about these pests so that you know where to look for them.

Mice are small and have grayish-brown fur, big ears, and small eyes. They can squeeze through openings as small as a dime and prefer to nest in out-of-the-way locations, such as attics, wall voids, crawl spaces, basements, or behind appliances. You can find them at all levels of your home.

Roof rats are long and thin, with dark brown or black fur and big eyes and ears. They are excellent climbers, and as their name suggests, they often gain access to homes at the upper levels. You will likely find these pests in your attic, rafters, or other higher-elevation areas.

Norway rats have stout, heavy bodies, grayish-brown fur, and small eyes and ears. Unlike roof rats, they are not good at climbing. Because of this, they are usually found in the lower levels of buildings, such as basements or crawl spaces.

The problems associated with a rodent infestation

Let’s face it: we have a lot of nuisance pests in our region. They are annoying but typically harmless. Rodents do not fall into this category. A rodent infestation is a serious cause for concern because of how destructive and dangerous these pests can be.

If rodents of any kind get into your home, they will cause a lot of damage, both to your belongings and your home itself. Rodents have teeth that never stop growing, so they constantly chew to wear these teeth down. They don’t care what they chew on, so if they get into your house, they’ll damage wires, pipes, insulation, clothing, furniture, and more. Although finding a hole in your favorite sweater can be frustrating, it’s far worse to end up with a water leak that damages large portions of your house or an electrical shortage that sparks a fire.

Rodents are also dangerous because of the health problems they can cause. They are known to spread various diseases to humans by contaminating food and food prep areas and coming into direct contact with people. They are also frequent carriers of parasites, which can become a problem for the people who live in the house they’ve infested.

How to keep your Pee Dee or Grand Strand home rodent-free

When you know that winter is coming and rodent infestations are more likely, you can prepare your home to make it less likely that rodents will get into your house. These prevention strategies are a great way to start:

• Seal all entry points into your house, no matter how small. Cracks, crevices, gaps, and holes should all be filled.
• Cover vents and other openings with wire mesh.
• Put a cap on your chimney if it doesn’t have one.
• Cut back vegetation around the perimeter of your house.
• Don’t store firewood against your house.
• Keep your grass trimmed and your yard free of debris.
• Don’t store your outdoor garbage bins near your house.
• Remove potential rodent food sources, such as bird seed.
• Ensure your yard has good drainage and no areas of standing water.
• Always keep your kitchen tidy.
• Store all food in hard-sided containers with sealed lids.
• Remove clutter from your home, including in storage areas.
• Make sure there are no water leaks in your house.

Protect your South Carolina home from rodents all year long

For added protection, or if you’ve discovered that rodents have already found their way inside your house, contact Harris Pest Control. We offer a stand-alone rodent control service to eliminate and prevent rodent problems and a home pest protection plan covering rodents and other common pests that infest homes in Florence, Myrtle Beach, and throughout the Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas. With over 50 years of rodent control expertise, you can be certain Harris Pest Control will provide the protection your home and family deserve.