A Successful Rodent Control Solution For Your Pasadena Property

There are many ways rodents in Pasadena can cause trouble. Today, we'll provide you with a quick primer for identifying rodents and evaluating the problems they may cause. We'll share effective all-natural tips to exclude them from your home and tell you how utilizing Pasadena pest control can help. If you have a current problem that is presenting an urgent need, jump to our contact page for assistance. The service team at Accutech Pest Control is happy to help!

It is critical to have a rodent control solution because of the problems related to rodent pests. While it is impossible to keep rodents out of your yard, there are many ways to deter rodent activity. When you work to reduce the rodent population by removing attractants, you reduce the risk of property damage. When you add exclusion work, you prevent interior property damage and reduce the risk of rodent-related health issues.

• Groundhogs and gophers create holes in your yard and will likely excavate soil. Their activities in your yard will cause damage to your lawn and landscaping. They may also crack foundation slabs when they tunnel underneath.
• Voles damage trees, ornamental plants, tubers, and other vegetation. They also create pathways in your grass, which is incredibly disheartening if you work hard to maintain a beautiful lawn. 
• Rats and mice spread diseases. They do this in a few ways. They ingest organisms and spread disease through their waste materials. They pick up microorganisms, such as salmonella, E. coli, and hookworms, as they move in dirty places and carry them in their fur. They pick up ticks and fleas, and these bugs also have the ability to spread diseases. They cause damage that can lead to moisture issues and black mold.
• Bats and squirrels also have the ability to spread diseases. They do so through their waste and by spreading ticks, fleas, and other parasites. 
• Rats, mice, and squirrels present a fire hazard. They chew on wires and gas lines. We don't have to tell you how bad that is.
• Rats, mice, and squirrels can damage belongings stored in your attic. They gnaw on materials and soil them with their waste.
• Rats and mice explore your home and can enter your kitchen, pantry, and other spaces. As they move about, they create holes. Other pests use these holes to move about in your home.

It is best to address rodent pests as soon as you see trouble. If you have not seen rodent activity yet, there are many ways you can deter rodents and prevent a rodent problem in your yard. We will focus on rats, mice, squirrels, and bats. These are pests you may exclude. Yard rodents will only be impacted by our first tip.   

There are a few factors that can lead to an indoor infestation of rodents. You need to consider the number of rodents in your yard, hiding places near your home, and potential entry points. Reducing the number of rodents is hard work. You have to reduce food attractants.

1. Reduce, Remove, And Protect Food Sources

Rodents will want to live in your yard if they find food. Your goal is to remove food as much as possible. Here are some tips:

• Put fencing around gardens and berry bushes to keep rodents out. Install the fencing a foot below the surface to keep rodents from tunneling underneath.
• Put tree guards at the base of trees that voles are girdling. 
• Don't feed the squirrels. Nuts are a food source for all rodent pests. If you have nut or fruit-producing trees, stay on top of picking up fallen nuts or fruits.
• Remove birdfeeders. Rodents eat seeds. If you have birdfeeders near your home, you'll lure rodents to your exterior and increase the chances of having them enter.
• Keep trash covered. Rats and mice are drawn to the scent of decaying organic matter.

2. Remove Hiding Places

Rats and mice hide on your property. They do this in several ways. When you remove their ability to hide near your home, you deter them from getting inside.

• Remove clutter. Any objects that sit on the ground can provide a hiding place for a rat or mouse. These rodents are particularly fond of wood piles, stacked stones, leaves, branches, and other organic debris.
• Block access to structural voids. Use hardware cloth to keep rodents out from under your deck, porch, or stairs.
• Trim your landscaping and remove weeds. Doing so will make rats and mice feel more exposed as they explore your landscaping.

3. Fill Holes, Cracks, And Gaps

Rats and mice enter your home through holes that already exist. There are a few common entry points they use. Here are suggestions to help you keep rats and mice out.

• Use expanding foam to fill holes or voids behind joists.
• Use expanding foam or caulking material to seal around plumbing and PVC wire conduits.
• Apply caulk around your window and door frames if you see gaps.

4. Make Repairs

Rats and mice also get into your home through damaged building materials. You can deter them from doing this if you check common vulnerabilities and make repairs.

• Replace weatherstripping and door sweeps if you detect gaps.
• Replace damaged screens and make sure your screen frames make contact all the way around your window and door frames.
• Ensure that all of your vents are covered and inspect gable vents to make sure you have working screens.

5. Block Routes

Rodents can gain access to your roof and enter your home through high vulnerabilities. Here are a few ways to stop them:

• Trim branches so rodents can't jump onto your roof.
• Install metal flashing around trees if you can't get up there to trim the branches.
• Install guards to block rodents from scaling pipes or wire conduits that run up the sides of your home.
• Install wire mesh in your downspout openings.

If you roll your sleeves up and do this hard work, you'll have long-lasting protection from rodent pests. If you don't have the energy or inclination to take these steps, there is another option. You can hire a professional. 

A licensed professional can install and monitor tamper-resistant traps to capture and remove rodents. Doing so will cull populations and reduce the risk of unwanted entry. Certain professionals also provide exclusion work. You'll need to check and see what exclusions are offered. If you're having trouble with squirrels, bats, or lawn pests, wildlife management is needed. Live traps, baits, and Integrated Pest Management can address these pests.

Are you in Pasadena? Contact Accutech Pest Management for help with rodent control and wildlife management. We can guide you toward an effective solution that meets your needs.