Ready for a scary statistic? 29% of Americans have had a rodent problem in their home. How about another? Every winter, rodents infest roughly 21 million homes in the U.S.
Are you checking under your bed yet? Rodents can cause severe damage to insulation and, by chewing on wiring, can even cause electrical fires. As we mentioned in a recent blog, rodents are the cause of up to 20% of electrical fires, along with carrying parasites and diseases like salmonella. If you have a mouse infestation in Little Rock, rats in Conway, or just need pest control in Hot Springs gives Clark Exterminating a call today. If you see a mouse or rat in your home, you may be wondering:
If I see one mouse, are there more?
How do I get rid of mice?
What can I do to prevent rodents from entering my home?
Long story short, the answers are 1) Almost certainly, 2) Call a pest professional like Clark Exterminating (There are DIY pest control methods but they can sometimes do more harm than good, especially with harsh chemicals), and 3) Mice can fit into spaces as small as a dime and rats can enter any opening smaller than a quarter, so the best prevention is to secure your foundation and look for any openings. Feel free to take a look at one of our recent blogs for in-depth rodent exclusion tips.
Let’s break down those scary statistics mentioned above. Of the 21 million U.S. homes invaded each winter, the vast majority of infestations (50%) occur in the kitchen, the basement (27%) or the attic and garage (24%). So, after checking your home for any possible entry points and filling these holes, it’s a good idea to double-check that any food or cooking materials are stored in airtight containers and put away. If there’s no readily available source of food in your home, there’s little reason that rodents would want to invade in force.
Furthermore, 45% of rodent infestations occur during the fall and winter, so make sure to be extra vigilant during these cold months, especially when snow and ice can put extra strain on your foundation. Make sure that your attic or basement is free from moisture or leaks, as this can attract many moisture-loving pests like rodents.
Here’s the good news – at 22%, the Midwest (Arkansas included in this area for this report) has the lowest risk of rodent invasion in the U.S. However, that still means the Midwest makes up almost a quarter of American rodent home invasions, so it’s still important to keep your eyes out. A mother mouse can have over a dozen young per month, so if you see one mouse there’s likely already more (or soon to be).
If you see a mouse or rat scurrying across the floor, don’t try to tackle the problem yourself. Clark Exterminating has over 30 years of experience serving Central Arkansas homes, and we’ve treated hundreds of rodent infestations over the years. It’s your home, so take care of it this winter and contact Clark Exterminating today.
*Survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association
