Only some people are cut out to be professional pest exterminators or are interested in dealing with the pesky critters that get into our homes when we least expect it. That’s one reason why Precise Termite & Pest Control has emerged as northern New Jersey’s preferred choice for ridding local households of everything from mice to ants, bees, birds, mosquitoes, cockroaches, bats, and more.

Over the past 30+ years, we’ve learned a lot about being in this industry, including the many misconceptions people have about the extermination business. Here are some rodent control myths we’d like to debunk and set the record straight on!

1. MYTH: Not Seeing Rodents Means No Problem

Just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. Rodents do everything they can to avoid contact with humans, typically coming out only at night when you are sleeping. If you see one rodent, chances are there are more, especially during the daytime.

2. MYTH: Clean Homes Are Rodent-Free Homes

Rodents are not picky about the houses they infest and take up residence in clean homes as well as dirtier ones. Your location and surroundings affect the level of rodent activity. However, rodents like clutter, so keep the outside of your home and yard free from attractive hiding spots, and clean up spills and crumbs immediately.

3. MYTH: Poison Is the Best Solution

Some DIY enthusiasts take a ruthless approach to rodent control and fill their homes with rat poison to tackle infestation issues. However, rodent poison can take up to 10 weeks to work, which means that they can continue to destroy your property and breed before they die. The stench of dead rodents in your home isn’t just sickening; it can contaminate the air you breathe and make you actually sick. Rodent poison left out can also put children and pets at risk of being poisoned as well.

4. MYTH: Cheese is a Rodent’s Favorite Food

In cartoons, rats and mice gravitate toward cheese more than anything else. But in real life, there are better baits to use than cheese. Sneaky and agile rodents can remove cheese from traps without setting them off. Sticky substances like peanut butter and high-aroma foods like meat are often more enticing to rodents than cheese.

5. MYTH: Rodents Only Inhabit Homes in the Winter

Another rodent control myth is that these pests are only seasonal concerns. However, rodents are four-season pests that affect homeowners all throughout the year. Mouse and rat activity typically picks up in the fall when rodents sense a drop in temperature and start preparing for winter survival. In the spring and summer, rodents seek shelter indoors to breed and give birth.

6. MYTH: Pets Will Take Care of Rodents

Cats make wonderful additions to households as pets but aren’t always the most effective exterminators. Cats, dogs, and other household pets may deter some rodent activity, but they cannot address rodent issues inside walls, up in the attic, or in other hard-to-reach places. Rodents may also access food and water from your pets’ bowls, contaminating them and potentially making them sick.

We Can Help with Your Rodent Problem

With these rodent control myths busted, we hope you better understand how rodents affect a home and why professional help is needed for mice and rats. Precise Termite & Pest Control specializes in rodent control and offers free inspections to help you get a handle on your rodent problem.

Please contact us today at 866-971-2847 to learn more about our approach to rodent extermination and prevention or to schedule your initial visit.

As homeowners, we often think of the possibility of rodents getting into our pantries, basements, and trash cans. But attic insulation is another common place affected by rodents, and solving this problem can take significant time, energy, and money.

Here are the signs of rodents in attic insulation so that you can address the situation quickly and exterminate them effectively.

Pests Found in Attic Insulation

Various pests can find their way into attic insulation and cause damage in a home. Many New Jersey homeowners have experienced issues with mice eating insulation and rats in attic insulation. Attics are ideal habitats for rodents because they are warm, safe from predators, and offer excellent nesting conditions. Beyond just rodents, you might also find cockroaches, wasps, termites, bed bugs, ants, raccoons, and spiders living up there among the fiberglass and cellulose materials that provide cozy homes for unwanted guests.

Insulation Risks with Pests

Pests in attic insulation are a problem because homes depend upon this insulation to provide structural support, direct airflow, and improve energy efficiency. Whether your insulation is made from flexible fiber sheets, loose fibers, fiber pellets, or foam spray, these materials prevent heat from escaping in the winter and enable cool air to circulate throughout the house in the summer.

When pests chew through insulation, this protective layer is eliminated, leaving you feeling uncomfortable temperature-wise and paying higher energy bills throughout the year. Moisture and draft problems are common after insulation deteriorates. Additionally, a rodent infestation can present health risks, including salmonellosis, leptospirosis, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Signs of a Rodents in Your Insulation

It is easy for rodents to live in attic insulation for a long time without being noticed because many people do not frequently access these parts of their homes. However, you can be mindful of the warning signs of an insulation infestation and take action quickly to remove them.

Here are some common signs of rodents in attic insulation:

• Pieces of insulation material on the attic floor
• Fecal droppings on the floor
• Urine stains on the walls
• Musty smell throughout the attic
• Scurrying and scratching noises
• Gnaw marks on items stored in your attic

How to Prevent Rodents in Attic Insulation

One of the best ways to keep rodents out of your attic insulation is to seal up cracks and gaps where mice and rats could enter and inhabit the soft materials. Although no insulation materials are 100% rodent-proof, your insulation installer may be able to recommend certain materials that are less attractive to pests. If your insulation is affected by rodents, it is advisable to replace it to prevent the potential spread of disease and not attract additional rodents to the smells of the ones who lived here before them.

When to Call a Pest Control Professional 

Removing pests from attic insulation is a challenging job and one that is best left to the professionals. Precise Termite & Pest Control offers knowledgeable and reliable rodent control services to help you rest easy at night and feel safe in your home during every season.

For a free rodent inspection in your attic and other areas of your home, please contact us at 866-971-2847.