Rodent in the Attic: How to Clean Your Attic to Prevent Rats, Mice, Squirrel

Rodent in the Attic: How to Clean Your Attic to Prevent Rats, Mice, Squirrel _{Sep. 19th 2012}

Rodent, Rats, and Mice in Attic: How to Clean Your Attic to Prevent Rodent Problems Your attic can be a breeding ground for different species of rodents. Luckily, these creatures are not very quiet.

Rodent, Rats, and Mice in Attic:

How to Clean Your Attic to Prevent Rodent Problems

Your attic can be a breeding ground for different species of rodents. Luckily, these creatures are not very quiet.

Rodent, Rats, and Mice in Attic: How to Clean Your Attic to Prevent Rodent Problems (Photo Credit: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org) As a homeowner, you must be aware at all times of anything strange going on in your house. This includes monitoring your home for all sorts of pests and bothersome critters. This article shows you three species of rodents to look for in your attic. For example, your attic can be a breeding ground for different species of rodents. Luckily, these creatures are not very quiet. So if you hear scratching and scurrying sounds from above, it's not bats in the belfry you need to worry about...rather, it's rodents in the attic. In fact, there are three common species of rodents that you should watch (and listen) for mice, rats, and squirrels. If any of these are found in your home, and you are unable to get rid of them yourself, it is imperative that you call a professional rodent exterminator before they do too much damage.

Mice in Attic

Mice may be able to run across a floor without making a sound, but once they're in the walls of your attic, the noise they make is almost deafening. Mice in houses have been known to chew through wires that can lead to costly repairs. And let's not forget that they are filthy animals, ripe for carrying disease. They might be small, but mice do a lot of damage. Listen for them at night, since they are nocturnal creatures.

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Rat in Attic

Think of a rat as a mouse's bigger, more dangerous older brother. Everything that a mouse can do, a rat can do better. Except for squeezing through small areas, maybe, but that's not exactly comforting. Rats are known to carry disease, just like their smaller relatives. Like mice, rats are nocturnal, so you are more likely to hear them moving around at night.

Squirrel in Attic

For some reason, many homeowners don't even consider a squirrel getting into their attic. We see them outside running through the street or up a tree, maybe even across a telephone line. But these creatures are one of the most notorious species of rodents for causing havoc in your attic. A big reason for this is due to their size and comparative strength. They can eat through insulation and thick wire like a pro. Squirrels are different from the other two rodents, as they are typically more active in the morning or the early evening.

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Don't delay!

These three species of rodents should not be trifled with. There are traps created specifically for each animal, but not all traps will succeed, especially if an infestation of the critters has begun. If you have a problem with one of these species of rodents in your home, it is a good idea to contact a professional to get rid of the problem before it becomes worse. a house mouse and a coin

House Mouse (Photo Credit: Janet Hurley, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service, Bugwood.org)

"Rats are known to carry disease, just like their smaller relatives. Like mice, rats are nocturnal, so you are more likely to hear them moving around at night."

-Rest Easy Pest Control

How to Clean Your Attic to Prevent Rodent Problems

Rodent problems are not only hazardous to your health; they can sometimes be quite costly. When many of us think of rats and mice, we envision filth-laden creatures carrying diseases and contaminating our food. But rodent problems can also create a fire hazard, in the case of one of these pests eating through your home's wiring. Or they can cost you money by using your car's engine as its new home, chewing through your vehicle's wiring to create a nest. Very often, rodents will congregate in your attic. This includes even squirrels, which can cause a considerable amount of mayhem and damage if left unchecked. These are steps you can take to clean your attic, keep those pesky critters out of there, and prevent rodent problems:

#1. Straighten up any clutter

All rodents, regardless of their size, need shelter. The average attic is the perfect haven for mice, rats, squirrels, and others because let's face it, none of us like to go up to the attic, let alone clean it. The attic is No Man's Land, where old knick knacks, memorabilia, and random objects go to die. Over time these items stack up and create a nice cozy home for rodents. So the first step in cleaning the attic is to remove any clutter that has gathered. Straighten up boxes, put away loose papers and discarded items, and store them in such a way that using them as shelter becomes more difficult. window on the attic

"The attic is No Man's Land, where old knick knacks, memorabilia, and random objects go to die. Over time these items stack up and create a nice cozy home for rodents. So the first step in cleaning the attic is to remove any clutter that has gathered."

-Rest Easy Pest Control

#2. Wipe it down

Many rodents love to live in filth. They're often looking for a place that fits their persona, which means they're delighted in a place full of dirt and grime. Attics can get quite filthy when they haven't been cared for properly. The good news is that this is easy to solve. Simply grab a broom, some cleaning supplies, and a gaggle of paper towels, and get to work. Before you know it, you'll have an environment that won't be very suitable to the invading creatures, and your rodent problems will be gone.

#3. Maintaining the cleanliness

Once you've followed these steps to solve your rodent problems, it's important that you stay on top of them. The schedule is up to you, but you should probably check out the situation once a week to make sure that it's staying clean. This will go a long way to keeping your attic rodent-free.

#4. Seal any gaps

But don't stop there. Seal your house from rodents in the peripheral walls that these pests might be using to get in. Set up traps and check on them on a weekly basis. Following the above steps and maintaining your attic's cleanliness will ensure that your attic is not rodent-friendly.*** Related Articles:

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