As the weather changes and temperatures begin to drop, homeowners in Delta, BC and surrounding areas may notice something they would rather not have indoors—rats and mice.
It’s not necessarily because your home is dirty or that you’ve suddenly developed a pest problem. Rodents are simply looking for the same things we all want as the seasons change: food, water, warmth and shelter.
And your home can provide all four.
Why Rodents Come Inside
Rats and mice are excellent at finding protected places to live. When outdoor conditions become less comfortable, buildings can become very attractive places to nest.
A warm wall void, attic, crawl space, garage or shed can provide shelter from rain, wind and colder temperatures. At the same time, homes often contain easily accessible food and water.
According to the Province of British Columbia, rats and mice need food, water and shelter to survive, and preventing access to these resources is an important part of rodent management. Once a rodent finds a suitable entry point, it may not take much encouragement to move in.
They Don’t Need a Big Hole
One of the surprising things about rodents is how small an opening can be.
In BC, homeowners are advised to inspect and seal openings of around 6 mm (¼ inch) or larger. Mice in particular can squeeze through remarkably small gaps.
Common entry points include:
- Gaps around pipes and utility lines
- Cracks in foundations
- Openings around doors and windows
- Roof and attic vents
- Soffits and other roofline openings
- Damaged siding
- Garage doors and other poorly sealed openings
A building can look completely sealed from the outside while still having several potential rodent entry points.
Why Your Property May Be Attractive
It’s not just the house itself that attracts rodents.
Outdoor food sources can include garbage, compost, birdseed, pet food, fallen fruit and nuts. Overgrown vegetation, wood piles, clutter and debris can also provide places for rodents to hide close to the building.
Once rodents are already living around a property, getting inside becomes much easier.
The Province of BC recommends keeping garbage securely covered, cleaning up fallen fruit and outdoor food, reducing clutter, trimming vegetation and storing firewood away from buildings.
Signs You May Have Rodents
You don’t always see the rodent itself. Rats and mice are often most active at night.
Instead, watch for signs such as:
- Droppings
- Scratching or scampering sounds
- Chewed food packaging
- Gnaw marks
- Greasy rub marks along walls
- Nesting materials
- Holes or burrows
- Unusual activity in attics, walls or crawl spaces
The sooner you notice these signs, the easier it can be to address the problem before the population grows.
Why It’s Important to Act Early
A single mouse or rat may seem like a minor nuisance, but rodents reproduce quickly. They can also damage insulation and other materials, chew electrical wiring and contaminate food and surfaces.
That’s why simply catching one rodent doesn’t necessarily mean the problem is solved.
A good rodent-control program should look at why the rodents got inside in the first place.
Prevention Is a Big Part of Rodent Control
The best long-term strategy is to combine removal with prevention.
That means identifying potential entry points, reducing food and water sources, cleaning up areas that attract rodents and making the building more difficult to access.
BC’s current rodent-management guidance emphasizes an Integrated Pest Management approach, with prevention and exclusion as important parts of controlling rodent problems.
Rodent Control in Delta, BC
At Go Green Pest Control, we understand how frustrating it can be to discover rodents in your home, garage, business or other structure.
If you’re hearing scratching in the walls, finding droppings in the garage or attic, or noticing other signs of rodent activity, it’s worth investigating before the problem becomes larger.
We serve Delta, BC and surrounding areas, helping homeowners and businesses identify rodent problems and determine an appropriate pest-management solution.
Don’t Give Rodents a Winter Home
Rodents are simply looking for a safe place to survive the changing season. Unfortunately, that safe place may be inside your home.
If you suspect rats or mice have moved in, don’t ignore the signs.
Go Green Pest Control Delta, BC & Surrounding Areas 778-886-4111
Call Go Green Pest Control to discuss your rodent problem and arrange an assessment.
Because when the weather outside gets uncomfortable, you don’t want your home becoming the neighbourhood’s best rodent shelter.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-rodents-getting-your-home-time-year-randy-bilesky-gv9vc