Rodents In The Attic

Why rodents love attics

When you go out walking, you never see a rat or a mouse, right? These pests live in small hiding places beneath wood debris and inside holes in the ground. They stay in these hiding places during the day and only come out at night when searching for things to eat, drink, or add to their nests. Inside homes, rodents look for the same level of seclusion. This is why you will not find a nest in the middle of your kitchen, living room, or bathroom. Rats and mice create their nests in hidden and undisturbed locations, just out of view. That is one reason why they love your attic.

They also love your attic if it's warm, has protected places to create soft nests, or food sources available.

How rodents get into homes

Every home has doors. We need doors so that we can go in and out. Rats and mice can use your doors to get into your home if you leave them open. But they can also get in through your doors even when they're closed. They can chew through framing, weatherstripping, or sweeps and create a hole large enough to squeeze through. Here are a few more ways rats and mice may find their way into your home.

• Holes forming in decaying wood
• Holes dug in the soil
• Easy access to the crawl space
• Spacing around pipes or wires
• Damage to unused pipes that connect to sewer systems
• Cracks in exterior walls
• Damage to vents
• Damage to rooflines
• An unprotected chimney

If a space is not large enough to squeeze through, rodents might use their teeth to make the space bigger. They have strong teeth, capable of gnawing through wood beams and even harder surfaces like concrete.

Rodents will not stay in your attic

Although rodent activity typically occurs in attics, crawl spaces, and other secluded areas, they do not stay in these areas. These pests need food, water, and nesting materials and will search your home for what they need. This is how infestations grow. As long as rodents are cozy and well-fed, they will breed. The last thing you want is several rats or mice exploring your home and getting into trouble.

How to stop rodents before they get indoors

Your home’s exterior is your first line of defense against pesky rodents. If they cannot find an entry point, they will be much less likely to invade. Here are a few exclusion tips that are great for addressing weak spots.

• Seal gaps around utility piping, wires, and ventilation systems.
• Repair damage to windows and doors.
• Keep unscreened windows and doors closed if you are not using them.
• Don’t leave your garage door open.
• Address cracks in your foundation.
• Replace missing shingles and holes along the roofline.

Eliminating and preventing rodents on your own is stressful. The good news is that you are not alone. The dedicated professionals at Getem Services are available and ready to help.

Say goodbye to rodents in Hampton Roads!

Finding out that your home has a rodent problem is upsetting. But things are not hopeless. Your Getem Service professionals understand these nuisance and destructive pests. We will use trusted products and proven rodent control methods to handle whatever rodents have decided to take over your attic and home. Our rodent control services include:

• A comprehensive rodent inspection
• Advanced traps to collect rodents and monitor activity
• Tamper-resistant bait stations that work to manage populations and prevent entry
• Professional-grade materials to seal weak spots and entry points

When dealing with an active rodent infestation, it helps to have an expert on your side. Getem Service provides a wide range of helpful articles like this and pest control services, including ongoing residential pest control and commercial pest management solutions. We also offer moisture control which helps greatly to deter a wide range of common pest problems, including rats and mice.

Reach out today to learn more about our rodent control service options or to schedule an inspection. We're here to help.