Whilst the festive season has winded down, winter continues to pose its share of pest concerns for homeowners in Slough and Windsor. The drop in temperature brings rodents, such as rats, mice, and even squirrels, scurrying into warm shelters indoors, threatening the health of your property and loved ones.
Why Are Rodents A Threat?
Rodents can cause serious damage to your property. They are a nuisance as they gnaw on pipes, wires, and furniture. This might cause structural problems and electrical hazards. Moreover, they contaminate surfaces and food with their urine and droppings, spreading diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis. Therefore, calling professional pest control in Slough is mandatory the moment you notice these pesky creatures.
What Are The Different Types Of Rodent Threats In Winter?
- Rats: Rats are resourceful and smart animals, able to go through the tiniest openings and make their way in by taking advantage of loopholes around wires and pipes. They prefer food items such as pet foods, crumbs, and garbage.
- Mice: Even smaller than rats, mice are also a hard-to-spot nuisance. Mice are adept at climbing, which enables them to pass through dime-sized openings in homes. Mice, just like rats, have an attraction towards food and nest-making materials, like insulation.
- Squirrels: They occasionally venture indoors during the winter months in search of warmth and food. They are usually smaller than house mice and prefer nesting in basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
How To Keep Rodents Out This Winter?
Some steps you can take to prevent a rodent infestation are:
- Seal all the entry points in and around your home using weather stripping or caulk so that rodents are locked out.
- Store your food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs and spills right away. Do not forget to securely store pet food and do away with bird feeders around your home.
- Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids and keep them outdoors. Clean debris and spills regularly around the cans.
- Minimise clutter in your home by clearing out your attic, basement, and crawl spaces.
When To Call A Professional?
If you suspect a rodent infestation, do not delay in taking action. The sooner the issue is addressed, the better chance you have of avoiding a more serious problem. Here are the signs that indicate you need to call Pest Dominion for pest control in Slough:
- Droppings of rodents around food or runways. Rodent droppings are dark, small pellets.
- Gnaw marks on furniture, wires, food packages, or boxes.
- You are hearing noises of squeaking and scratching behind walls or even the ceiling, especially during night time.
So, call Pest Dominion and do not let rodents become a winter worry.
