Top Reason Manchester Homeowners Should Take Rodent Control Seriously in Winter
As the temperatures drop in Manchester, NH, people prepare their homes for the long winter. Sealing windows, checking heaters, and storing firewood are important tasks. But homeowners should not ignore rodent control.
Winter is the season when rats and mice are most likely to move indoors. These pests are annoying and can cause damage to your home. Taking steps to control them before they settle in can save you a lot of stress, time, and money later on. This includes working with an anchorpestservices.com pest control team. Here’s why rodent control should not be taken lightly:
Rodents Look for Warmth and Shelter
Winter in Manchester can be bitterly cold. Just like humans, rodents want to stay warm. Your home offers everything they need, including heat, food, and safety.
Once inside, mice and rats will build nests in hidden spots. These spots can be inside walls, under floors, or in basements. Other rodents might hide in attics and behind appliances. They can squeeze through tiny holes and enter through gaps as small as a quarter-inch. Also, rodents can enter through roof vents, chimneys, and loose siding. You might host unwanted guests all winter long if you don’t take preventive steps before the cold settles in.
Rodents Reproduce Quickly
One pair of mice can produce up to 10 litters in a year, with each litter having five or six babies. Thus, a minor issue can turn into a major infestation before you know it. During winter, rodents will breed in your home. By the time you hear scratching in the walls or see droppings, there could already be several nests scattered around your house. Local experts at Anchor Pest Services offer thorough winter rodent control plans tailored to Manchester homes. Their team knows what signs to look for and how to stop rodents before they take over.
Rodents Can Damage Your Home
Once inside, rodents chew. Mice and rats need to gnaw constantly to keep their teeth short. They chew on just about anything, including wires, wood beams, and plastic pipes. Also, insulation and food packaging cannot avoid these pests. Chewed wires are especially dangerous. They have been linked to electrical fires in homes. Also, they are often hidden behind walls, making the damage hard to spot. Rodents can also ruin insulation by nesting in it. They will tear through drywall or stored items in garages. The cost to repair this damage can be high, especially if the infestation goes unnoticed for a few months.
Rodents Contaminate Food and Spread Illness
Rodents are also a health hazard. They leave droppings and urine wherever they go. They can contaminate food and surfaces. Some of the illnesses linked to rodents include Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, and Lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
Mice and rats also carry fleas and ticks, which can spread to pets and family members. During winter, when families spend more time indoors, the risk of exposure increases. Keeping your home rodent-free during the cold season protects your health and belongings.
Rodents Can Spread from House to House
In neighborhoods where homes are close together, rodent infestations can easily spread. If your neighbor has rodents and doesn’t handle the problem, the pests might move over to your home looking for better conditions.
Cold weather increases this movement. Rodents will go wherever they can find shelter and food. So, if your home is more accessible, they will take advantage of it. This is why community-wide prevention is important. The more homes that take winter rodent control seriously, the fewer places pests have to go. Anchor Pest Services works with homeowners and property managers across Manchester to reduce pest issues in neighborhoods.