During the winter months, homeowners may notice an increase in rodent activity. While mice and rats are common year-round, colder temperatures can drive them indoors as they search for warmth and shelter. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand the behaviors in order to protect your home from wildlife infestations.

Not only can they cause damage to your property, but they also pose health risks to you and your family. In this blog post, we’ll explore the habits and behaviors of mice and rats in Anne Arundel County during the winter months, and offer tips on how to prevent and eliminate infestations. From identifying entry points to utilizing humane mice removal methods, we’ll help you safeguard your home from unwanted wildlife.

Understanding The Impact Of Cold Weather On Rodent Behavior 

The change in temperature during winter months prompts a significant shift in the behaviors of rats and mice. As cold weather sets in, their survival instincts kick into high gear, leading them to seek shelter and food sources. Usually, this means invading our homes and businesses, turning them into their personal winter havens.

What Makes Our Homes Attractive to Rodents? 

Predominantly, our homes provide the ideal warm, cozy, and safe environment for them. The insulation, discrete corners, attics, and basements are all conducive for nesting. Moreover, our homes also provide an easily accessible food source, including our pantries and trash bins. But how do these rodents demonstrate their new winter behaviors?

Scavenging and Hoarding 

Scavenging and hoarding are two distinct behaviors that rats and mice showcase during winter. With food scarcity outdoors, they incorporate the “eat what you can, when you can” rule, and moreover, hoard for later use. You may notice evidence of them hoarding food in different corners and crevices of your home.

Nesting 

Rats and mice are notorious nesters, particularly during the cold months. As temperatures dip outside, they carry various soft materials to a secluded part of your house for building warm, cozy nests. 

Increased Indoor Activity 

Indoor activity generally increases for rats and mice in winter. This is due to a higher reliance on indoor resources for survival. You may notice an uptick in nocturnal noises or might even spot them running around more frequently in your home during these months. 

Remember, understanding these behaviors is key to identifying and handling a wildlife problem during the winter months. In our next section, we will explore how to detect these unwelcome visitors in your home.

Detecting Rodent Activity: Signs To Look For In Your Home 

A guarantee of winter survival for rats and mice is to find a shelter that provides warmth, safety, and food. Your home might appear to these rodents as a perfect environment, with many hidden places to nest and abundant food sources. Identifying the signs of their activity is crucial to take timely action and prevent extensive damage. Here are some key signifiers that suggest rodent activity in your home: 

Unusual Noises 

One of the first indications of a rodent infestation is the sound. During the quiet moments, mostly at night, you might hear scraping, rustling, or gnawing sounds coming from your walls, ceilings or attic. This can be rats or mice moving around or chewing on your home’s structure to maintain their growing incisors. 

Track and Droppings 

Another significant tell-tale sign are droppings. Rodents leave a trail of tiny droppings along their routes. These droppings often appear dark and pellet-like. 

Appearance of Gnaw Marks 

The need to keep their teeth sharp leads mice or rats to gnaw on various unconventional materials. If you notice unexplained teeth or gnaw marks on your wooden structures, wires, or food packages, be aware that there might be rodents residing within your home. 

Nesting Material and Nests 

Rats and mice use everyday household materials to build their nests, look out for torn or shredded paper or fabric, insulation, and plant matter. Discovering a nest is a clear sign of an infestation. 

Destructive Behavior 

Finally, rodents, especially rats, are known for their destructive behavior. They can cause significant damage by chewing through electrical wires, making holes in walls, or ruining your stored food. This may not only lead to potential safety hazards but also can cost you a pretty penny in repairs. 

Recognizing these signs early can prevent more significant damage to your property and allows for a more successful elimination of these unwanted intruders. In the next section, we will share some practical tips to protect your home from an infestation. 

How To Protect Your Home From Wildlife Infestations 

Protecting your home from wildlife infestations isn’t just about maintaining a clean, comfy living space. It’s about safeguarding your family’s health and preserving the structural integrity of your dwelling. Here are some tips to help you keep unwelcome small wildlife out of your residence during the winter months. 

1. Seal Entry Points 

Rodents, being small and flexible, can easily squeeze in through cracks and gaps in walls, doors, and windows. It’s important to regularly inspect your home for these potential entry points and seal them. This is your first line of defense. 

2. Keep Your Home Clean 

Leftover food and clutter give mice and rats ideal spots to hide and easy sources of nourishment. Make sure your home is clean and clutter-free. Store food properly, and dispose of the garbage regularly and conscientiously. 

3. Landscaping 

Proper landscaping can also deter them from deciding your home looks inviting. Keep your lawn mowed, trim overgrown bushes and trees, and avoid piling up firewood against the house. These steps make your home less attractive to wildlife looking for winter shelter. 

4. Maintain Regular Inspections 

Routine inspection is key to preventing infestation. Check your house regularly for the telltale signs of rodent presence: gnaw marks, droppings, tracks, or unusual sounds. The sooner you spot a problem, the easier it will be to deal with. 

In summary, making your home unattractive to wildlife and preventing them from entering is the best approach to avoid infestations. However, if you’ve done all of these things and still find signs of rodents in your home, it might be time to call in the professionals.

When To Call Skedaddle’s Professionals For Mice Removal In Anne Arundel 

While it’s admirable to tackle problems head-on, there are times when a specialist touch is required. Dealing with wildlife in your living space in Anne Arundel County during the winter months certainly falls into this category. So, when should you pick up the phone and call in the experts from Skedaddle? 

Getting Overwhelmed by the Infestation 

If you notice rodents around your home, it’s undoubtedly time to call a professional for mice removal. An expanding infestation left unchecked can pose significant health risks, not to mention the physical damage they can inflict on your property. Skedaddle’s experts are on hand to rein in such situations swiftly and effectively. 

Ineffective DIY Wildlife Control 

Does the onslaught of invaders seem relentless regardless of your home remedies? That might be your cue to call in the big guns. Rodents can be surprisingly intelligent, often growing wise to makeshift solutions and circumventing them. At Skedaddle, we’re equipped with the latest tools and techniques that ensure maximum efficacy in wildlife control. 

Continued Presence of Rodent Signs

If you’re spotting droppings, chewed cables, or hearing alarming scratching noises even after enacting your control measures, it could signal their ineffectiveness. Skedaddle’s trained professionals adhere to a systematic process. We identify, remove and safeguard your house from future invasions, unlike standard DIY interventions, which only provide a temporary duct tape solution. 

Concern for Wildlife 

It’s one thing to protect your home against invaders; it’s another to do so humanely. At Skedaddle Wildlife Control, we abide by ethical wildlife control practices that aim to alleviate your rodent problem without unnecessarily harming the animals. 

In the end, remember you don’t have to wage this war alone. Take the help of experts when needed and keep your home a safe and welcoming space for you – and exclusively you. Contact Skedaddle Maryland today!