It’s Spooky Season! Year after year, our dearly departed make ghoulish appearances in our homes by rattling doorknobs, slamming doors, and making scratching and squealing noises in our attics. Or is that mysterious squeaking actually a family of rodents? It’s not always easy to tell the difference between a haunting and a rodent infestation. While the professionals at DIAL ONE Franklynn Pest Control can’t pretend to be supernatural experts, we can give you some useful tips as to how to identify and avoid unwanted rodent guests during the cooler months.

Ghosts vs. Rats: What is the Main Difference?

According to the Made Up Journal of Supernatural Speculation, bonified hauntings only occur in approximately 0.005% of American homes. Rodent infestations are a much more common blight upon the properties of homeowners across the United States. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) released recent survey results stating that rodents, the most common fall and winter pest, have affected nearly 29% of Americans.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

You will immediately know if your infestation is otherworldly or of the mortal coil. Ghosts leave ectoplasm and cursed trinkets (rusty bells, blurry photographs, etc.) in their wake. Rodents are more insidious invaders, and mice and rat infestations are often messy, destructive, and foul-smelling. The following are a few signs of a rodent infestation:

·       Rodent Droppings. If you find piles of rodent droppings, you likely have at least one rodent that has made itself at home within the comfy confines of your four walls. Rat droppings are black, shiny, and between ½ - ¾ of an inch long. Mice droppings, while similar in appearance, are smaller in size and have pointier ends.

·       Nesting Materials. You may not immediately notice a mouse or rat nest because these invasive creatures often make a home inside walls and corners of the attic. Mice prefer to use organic, comfortable materials, such as grass or vegetation. As an infestation moves indoors, mice will use materials such as furniture stuffing and paper.

·       Signs of Chewing. Rodent nibbles take many forms. You may find signs of chewing on cardboard, furniture, or food packaging. Mice and rats also chew through walls and floors to create larger entry points into your home.

·       Stale or Musty Smells. Even if all of your other senses fail you, and you can’t see or hear a mouse, you will definitely smell a rodent infestation. Rodents smell musky and even pungent depending upon the size of the infestation.

How to Protect Your Home Against Rats and Mice

Unlike ghosts, one mouse sighting might not mean that you have a full-blown infestation. But even a single mouse can carry many diseases, including salmonella, hantavirus, and tularemia. Once a mischief of mice settles into your home, they are even more difficult to eradicate. Prevent shelter-seeking rodents from entering your home by following these tips:

·       Seal Your Home. The most effective tip is often the most simple. Mice can’t settle into your home if they can’t get inside. Use rodent proofing materials to seal up any holes. Pay attention to areas such as doors, vents, and windows.

·       Tidy Your Outdoors. In order to avoid a rodent infestation, homeowners must be as mindful of their yard as they are of the interior of their home. Eliminating outdoor access, such as overhanging trees and cleaning up debris piles will prevent rodents from nesting within your property.

·       Remove Food Sources. This tip applies to both indoor and outdoor food sources. Seal up outdoor food vessels such as garbage cans, compost piles, and pet food. Make sure all of your indoor food is securely stored in rodent-proof containers. Fun Fact! Ghosts also enjoy mortal leftovers but cannot ingest organic materials. If you find a ghost in your pantry, use a broom to gently guide the spirit to a damp corner or musty basement.

Contact DIAL ONE for Your Free Rodent Control Estimate

DIAL ONE Franklynn Pest Control has been protecting homes in Southern Louisiana against rodent invasions for generations. If you find signs of rodent entry in your home, call DIAL ONE immediately! We only ask that you exorcise any ghosts, ghouls, or poltergeists before our technicians arrive. Register for your next service through text or call 504-885-3101!