Rodent Control 101: What Attracts Rats and Mice?
Rats and mice are among the most common—and most unwelcome—household pests. They’re sneaky, fast breeders, and can pose serious health risks by spreading diseases and contaminating food. But have you ever wondered why rodents choose your home in the first place?: 1. Food: An All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Rodents have an incredible sense of smell and will travel surprisingly far to find a meal. If food is accessible, your home becomes a permanent dining spot. Rodent Attractors: Crumbs on floors or countertops Unsealed food in pantries Pet food left out overnight Overflowing trash or compost bins Prevention Tips: Store food in airtight containers Clean kitchen surfaces daily Sweep or vacuum floors regularly Use tightly sealed trash cans 2. Shelter: Warmth and Safety As the temperature drops, your home becomes a cozy refuge for rodents looking to escape the cold. Ideal Rodent Shelters: Cluttered attics and basements Insulated wall cavities Under sinks and kitchen appliances Garages or sheds with open access Prevention Tips: Keep storage areas tidy and elevated off the floor Seal gaps in walls, around pipes, and under doors Install door sweeps and weather stripping Regularly inspect dark or unused areas 3. Water: A Hidden Necessity Rodents need water just like any other animal. Leaky pipes or moist areas provide perfect hydration sources. Common Water Sources: Leaky faucets or pipes under the sink Pet water bowls Condensation from appliances Open toilets or drains Prevention Tips: Fix plumbing leaks promptly Avoid leaving water bowls out overnight Use dehumidifiers in damp areas 4. Entry Points: Open Doors for Unwanted Guests Rodents can squeeze through holes as small as a dime (mice) or a quarter (rats). If there’s a way in, they’ll find it. Where Rodents Get In: Gaps under doors or garage doors Cracks in foundations or walls Open vents or chimneys Uncovered drains or pipes Prevention Tips: Seal cracks with steel wool or caulk Install mesh covers over vents Repair broken screens and door seals Close garage doors when not in use 5. Outdoor Conditions: Overgrown and Inviting Your yard could be inviting rodents even before they reach your front door. Outdoor Attractors: Overgrown shrubs and bushes near the house Woodpiles stacked against walls Bird feeders spilling seeds Uncovered compost piles Prevention Tips: Keep vegetation trimmed and away from the house Store firewood at least 20 feet away Use rodent-proof compost bins Avoid leaving pet food outside
Top 5 Signs Your Home Has a Termite Infestation
Termites are known as “silent destroyers”—and for good reason. These pests can quietly eat away at the structure of your home for months or even years before the damage becomes obvious. By the time most homeowners discover a termite infestation, repairs can be costly: 1. Hollow-Sounding or Damaged Wood One of the most common signs of termite damage is hollow or brittle wood. Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving behind a thin shell or surface. How to Check: Tap on wooden walls, floors, or furniture If it sounds hollow or breaks easily, termites may be the cause Look Out For: Blistering or peeling paint (which mimics water damage) Buckling wood or sagging floors 2. Mud Tubes on Walls or Foundations Subterranean termites build mud tubes as protective tunnels between their colony in the soil and the wood they feed on in your home. These tubes protect them from light and help retain moisture. Where You’ll Find Them: Along foundation walls Inside crawl spaces Under floorboards On exterior walls or brickwork If you break one open and see active termites, you’ve got a current infestation. 3. Discarded Wings Flying termites—also known as swarmers or alates—come out to mate and start new colonies. After they find a place to nest, they shed their wings, often near windowsills or entryways. Signs to Watch For: Small piles of wings near doors or windows Swarmers flying indoors (especially in spring or after rain) Dead termites near light sources Fun Fact: Termite wings are all the same size, unlike ant wings, which vary. 4. Frass (Termite Droppings) Drywood termites leave behind frass, which looks like small piles of sawdust or coffee grounds. These droppings are usually found near the entry holes of infested wood. What to Look For: Tiny dark brown or tan pellets Piles on windowsills, floors, or near baseboards Exit holes in wooden furniture or walls Seeing frass means termites are actively feeding inside your home. 5. Doors and Windows That Stick As termites eat away at wood, it can warp and swell—causing doors and windows to become tight or difficult to open. Check For: Sticky windows Doors that don’t close properly Unexplained cracking in walls or ceilings While this could also be due to humidity or settling, it’s worth investigating if combined with other termite signs.