Based on data from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), rodent control is a problem for about one-third of all the residents in America.

Rodent Control - mouse finding a home

Missy Henriksen, who serves as the Vice President of Public Affairs of the NPMA, has expounded on the fact that rodents have been sharing both food and the shelters of humans for several centuries.

Rodents destroy and contaminate food products, cause immense amounts of destruction to property, and spread disease. To prevent these issues, rodent control is important. Homeowners should take the time to rodent-proof both their homes and their property.

You dirty rat….”James Cagney

Survey Findings

  • 29% of all homeowners state that they have experienced a rodent problem within their home
  • 35% of Northeast residents have had an issue with rodents
  • 30% of Southern residents have had a rodent problem
  • 28% of Western residents have had rodent complications
  • 22% of Midwesterners have suffered with rodent challenges
  • 50% have had an issue in their kitchen
  • 27% had a problem in the basement
  • 25% had rodent infestations in the living room
  • 24% had rodent problems in the attic and/or the garage
  • 22% had an infestation in their bedroom(s)
  • 11% had a rodent issue in their bathroom(s)

Rodent Control Strategies

In order to prevent a rodent infestation in your home, there are several rodent-proofing strategies you may take. These include the following:

  1. You should walk completely around your home and inspect for areas where rats may enter the structure. If you discover cracks and crevices, they should be immediately sealed with caulking composed of silicone. Rodents have the capability of squeezing through a home in holes as small as a dime if mice, and as small as a quarter if rats.
  2. If you discover very large holes or gaps on the interior region of your home, you should fill them with steel wool. Rodents are unable to successfully gnaw through this type of material and are actually deterred from the area because of the fiber roughness. Examples of areas that have large holes and gaps may include areas surrounding pipes that come into the home.
  3. If your home has an attic with vents/registers or a fireplace, be certain to place appropriate types of screens over the openings.
  4. Inspect the basement foundation, windows, and doors. If weather stripping is worn, replace it. Also, repair any loose mortar that is present.
  5. The landscape surrounding the home should be well-kept. Shrubs should be trimmed, mulch should not be placed next to the home, wood piles should be kept away from structures, and no garbage should be out without being sealed with the cover.

We Can Help

If you are one of the many Americans that suffer from rodent infestation, we here at All Pest can help. Not only can we eliminate infestations, we can inspect in and around your home and offer sound advice on rodent-proofing to prevent future infestations.

Your home is your greatest investment. Do not allow it to be invaded and destroyed by rodents.