rodents Archives - Page 12 of 17 - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

All posts in “rodents”

Have you done whatever it takes to keep out rodents?

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Nothing is probably worse than seeing a mouse inside your house, everything goes through your mind. How do I capture it, what do I do with it, can I do it myself and its goes on and on? The best thing to do, is to never have one get into your home. So what can you do:

Repair all holes and cracks in your home.
Don’t take in boxes which might have room enough for a mouse.
Repair screens.
Repair door seals and thresholds.
Repair garage door seals.
Don’t leave doors open.
Don’t leave pet food out.

If they are already in the home, glue boards do work but be careful if you have pets or children. Never, never use baits inside a home. Never, never use baits inside a home, yes I said that twice.

It’s cold outside, is something looking to get in?

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I’m not talking about the Zombie Apocalypse but I guess it couldn’t hurt if I mentioned it. So just like keeping the Zombies out it is important to keep out the other stuff trying to get in. Rodents only need a hole the size of a dime to a quarter, birds and bats can also squeeze into tiny little holes or crevices. I have alwaya been a advocate of a homeowner checkking their home at least quarterly but depending on the weather maybe monthly.

Remember its not just about wildlife, its about the critters that attach or become frequent nesting partners with them. Ticks, fleas, batbugs, kissing bugs or other parasites may want to make your home theirs, especially if you finally get rid of their food. I’ve had folks tell me, I don’t care if birds live in my attic, they won’t hurt me – maybe or maybe not? I personally wouldn’t take the risk, but hey that’s me.

So please check your home, just like Santa checks his list. So Merry christmas to all and to all a good night. May your Christmas holiday be rodent and bug free.

Except in Phoenix, Arizona.

Not a creature was stirring… facts about mice

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Not a creature was stirring… facts about mice

Creature – Lets start with a few facts:

A family of six mice can grow to 50 – 60 mice in only 90 days.
Mice can just about live anywhere from the tropic to the cold regions.
They love to nibble and again will just about nibble on anything.
Urinate as they run, so not only eating things but damaging or contaminating as well.
Mice can use cardboard as nesting materials.

A few tips to stop them from getting in and staying in.

Home-seal, no holes – mice only need a hole the size of a dime.
Always use gloves when transferring boxes from attic or garage.
Make sure your garage door is sealed.
Make sure your screen are in place and in good condition.
Don’t leave pet food out, if storing please put in containers.

Photo by Univar

Hantavirus is serious, what precautions can you take?

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Alert: New Mexico Health Department confirms fatality in NorthWest New Mexico.

Hantavirus is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings or saliva. People can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus.

CDC Hantavirus site

Tips:

Seal the home or cabin.
Trap or use outside rodent bait/trap stations to reduce numbers, I also suggest TickBoxes.
Reduce food sources, don’t leave out dog/cat food.
Don’t allow clutter to get the best of your home.
Trim trees and bushes.
When cleaning cabins or homes, use a dust mask and follow the CDC guidelines on cleaning.
Rodents cause other issues, be safe and follow CDC guidelines.

Mice may be able to smell fear.

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All I can picture is that old belief of someone standing on a chair just screaming for their lives because a mouse is in the room. “Mice study suggests we can literally smell fear.”

Maybe a correlation can also be placed with dogs that don’t seem to like certain people. Well not this dog above, Gracie loves everybody. Mice are proving and research is providing good data for the good of mankind.

Somedays in the rat race, they win!

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Are the rats getting the better of you and your home? Some days we might think that the pests are winning, but it doesn’t have to be so. Pest Management Professionals and Wildlife Professionals are Public Health Protectors.

The key to living with animals and wildlife is to not allow them to reside in our homes and businesses. Sometimes this does take a lot of work but it can and must be done. Not only do they carry disease, they also carry parasites and pests and they can damage or contaminate food and foodstuffs.

So seal up and holes into your home or business, we have some critters here in Arizona that dig holes so keep an eye out for them. Keep those trees from touching the home and never stack firewood against the home.

What is the Global Pest Market? Part 1

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Global Pest Market

“Global Pest Control Services Market: Trends and opportunities (2013-2018)“. talks about the growing trend in green type pest control.

My concern is that most people truly don’t understand what makes green GREEN. What is organic and what makes a service green is open to debate. My definition of Green may just be Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and ProBest strives to do this everyday. We promote the use of less pesticide inside, while doing everything we can from the outside – to keep pests out. If you can keep out the pests and keep down their food, this might equal less pests getting into your home or business.

So if you need a Green service – find out what the pest company considers GREEN or better yet check out a GreenPro company :

Professionalism

Expertise

Confidence

Yikes, how did that get in there?

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Rats and mice nomally can squeeze through small opening (mice – dime and rats – quarter), I think this guy just had a bad day. I suppose it ate some bait or got bit by something, cause it looks like it has some room to wiggle. Just a caution on mice/rats, rodents in general they have teeth and aren’t afraid to use them. They will gnaw on electrical wiring around pool pumps, car engines and equipment of all sorts. By the way this also goes for rabbits, they will also go after wiring. So what precautions can you take:

Check you home monthly for signs of pests, I know I say it often but eventually you might listen to my advice.
Check for holes or loose screening, including those weep holes at the roofline.
If you see bees flying in and out, check it out but use caution.
Don’t stack firewood against the house.
Don’t let trees or bushes touch the house, super highway for rodents and ants.
Have a Professional Termite company do an inspection for termites.

Rodents – why are they scary?

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Did you know Rodents encompass 43% of all mammals on earth, the mouse is #2 and Norway rat is #3.

There are about 4260 species of mammals known on this planet at the moment, though taxonomists are still arguing and species are still being found.

Diseases directly transmitted by rodents (thanks to the CDC)

It was far easier to report information directly from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) site, click the link for more information.

Bubonic Plague right on our doorstep in New Mexico

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“New Mexico reports second human case of Plague of 2013 in Torrence County Girl” Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. It is found in animals throughout the world, most commonly rats but other rodents like ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, rabbits and voles. Fleas typically serve as the vector of plague. Human cases have been linked to the domestic cats and dogs that brought infected fleas into the house.

“Squirrel with bubonic plague closes campgrounds in Angeles National Forest – July 2013‘

So did you think that Bubonic Plague was a long forgotten disease, or how about Hanta Virus, Lyme disease or Rabies? Every once in awhile these little diseases pop up around the U.S. and we all need to remind ourselves of their potential to kill.

Rub marks where rats are getting into the structure.