Rodents are not only a nuisance pest, they can cause damage to your health (salmonella, Leptospirosis, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and more), damage to your possessions (furniture and food), and to your home’s structural integrity (chewed insulation and wiring can lead to fires).
Rapid Reproduction = Population Boom
Springtime means ample food for expectant rodent mothers and their impending young, meaning even if a rodent species breeds year-round, spring is often a time for larger litters.
- Rats: In Georgia we are faced with 2 types of rats: the Norway rat and the black rat. Norway rats can reproduce at 5 weeks old and produce litters of 7-14 every 21 days. Black rats begin reproducing at 3-4 months old and produce litters of 7-8 every 21-28 days.
- Mice: Mice produce 5-10 litters of 3-10 pups per year.
- Squirrels: Georgia’s Gray Squirrel produces two litters of 2-4 pups per year. While they may not reproduce at the same rate as their prolific rat and mice cousins, they can still cause serious damage if they are in your home.
As you can see, rodents reproduce at an astonishing rate which is why you should never ignore what you think is a single rodent in your home or delay removal if you think you might have an infestation.
Don’t Put Out the Welcome Mat: 4 Steps for Infestation Prevention
- Start with your yard: remove any creeping vines from your home’s exterior and cut back any nearby bush and tree branches so rodents cannot use them as bridges.
- Seal entry points: Any hole in your home’s exterior, attic, crawl space, screens, or door sweeps can be used as an entry point for rodents.
- Remove clutter: Clothing and papers are some of rodents’ favorite materials to burrow under and nest in.
- Remove food and water sources: Store food in the refrigerator or resealable containers, clean pet food areas between feedings, remove trash from indoors, and keep all surfaces clean. Repair leaky pipes and eliminate areas of standing water in your home.
Trust Wild Trappers to Make Your Home Rodent-Free
Protect yourself, your family, and your property by calling the trained professionals at Wild Trappers. At Wild Trappers we are state certified and expertly trained to humanely trap and remove rodents, to sanitize occupied areas, and to protect your home from rodent re-entry. Contact us today for any and all of your wildlife trapping, removal, and clean-up needs.
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