Mice and rats are looking for a warm place to nest and find a food source, often looking to your Florida home to get it. One of the first steps in preventing rodents from invading your home is understanding the signs they’ve entered, so you can act as soon as possible to remove them. We’ve broken down the common signs of rodents and DIY rodent prevention tips to utilize to keep them out!
Common Mice and Rat Signs
There are several signs that rodents could be hiding out in your attic, basement, or common living area, including:
- Finding droppings: Rodent droppings could measure from 1/8 to ¼” long, depending on the species and size of the creature. You can often find droppings where food is stored, such as kitchens or pantries. Rodent droppings can be dangerous as they carry bacteria and transmit diseases, like salmonella.
- Gnawing or chew marks: Mice and rats will chew items to search for food, often chewing on lead or plastic pipes, electrical wires, and insulation. This can be especially dangerous and often lead to extensive damage, fire hazards, and health concerns.
- Strange noises at night: Rodents prefer secluded areas and will often invade attics and wall voids. If you begin to hear scratching or scurrying in these areas during the night, it’s a strong indication that rodents have invaded as they are most active at night!
Do-It-Yourself Rodent Prevention Tips
There are several ways to keep rodents from invading your Jacksonville home. Check out our rodent prevention tips!
- Utilize a metal trashcan with a tight lid to keep these creatures from scavenging through it to look for food.
- Store pet and bird food in glass or metal containers with lids and bring the pet food inside at night.
- If you have fruit trees, pick up any fallen fruit on the ground so rats and mice are not attracted to your yard.
- Keep your kitchen tidy by cleaning up food crumbs and spills after each meal.
- Seal any openings that are leading inside your home with steel wool or caulk, depending on the size of the hole or gap.
- Routinely remove and clean out your gutters of debris and standing water as rodents are attracted to water sources.
If you suspect that you have rodents in your Jacksonville home, reach out to your local pest control provider for a free inspection! These professionals can also provide you with a comprehensive rodent control plan, removal recommendations, and rodent prevention tips to avoid future infestations.
