Finding mice in your pantry is common in the winter. The weather turns colder. Mice, rats and other pests look for warm places to live where they can find food. Your pantry and kitchen might be the perfect place to live when the temperatures drop. Not only do mice and rats contaminate your food, but they also contribute to some serious health concerns and damage your property. For rodent removal in Waterloo, Truly Nolen is the team to call.

Signs of Rodents and Pests in Your Kitchen

Mice are a common problem in many homes. If you know the signs to watch for, you can take care of the problem quickly, rather than letting them multiply. You may not actually see mice and rodents, but you’ll see signs of them. One of the first things you may notice is droppings. Mouse droppings kind of look like black rice. Sometimes mouse droppings are confused with cockroach droppings, but you’ll want to take care of the problem whichever pest it’s from.

Next, you may notice gnaw marks on food packages. You may also smell a musky odour. The chemicals in their excrement stink and can cause respiratory problems. Another sign is nesting in the back of your cupboards. Their nests look like woven balls made up of shredded fibrous materials.

If you’re seeing these signs in your pantry, you’ll want to call a professional for removal and cleanup. Then, you’ll need to clean your pantry and get rid of any food that could have been contaminated. It’s a process, but you’ll be glad you did.

What Kinds of Damage Can Rodents Do in Your Home?

Rodents bring dangerous diseases to your homes, such as salmonellosis, leptospirosis, and hantavirus. They also bring in other pests, ticks, fleas, and mites. Rodents have teeth that keep growing, so they need to chew to manage the length of the teeth. They will chew through electrical wires, pantry shelves and more with their gnawing activities. They might make a nest in your attic’s insulation. Dealing with rodents quickly is key to keeping your home safe and comfortable.

Prevention Tips and Tricks to Avoid Pests

Mice and rats make their nests where they have access to food. Keep pests out of your kitchen:

• Keep your food containers tightly sealed. Store flour, sugar, grains and other foods in plastic or metal containers. Rodents can chew through cardboard boxes and bags.

• Keep your sink clean and free of dirty dishes. Don’t let your dishes soak in the sink or leave dried food out overnight.

• Eat at the table. Keep food contained in the kitchen and dining room.

• Use a trash can with a lid.

• Clean up food right away.

• Don’t leave pet food bowls out overnight.

• Seal up any entry points. Mice and rats can squeeze through very small holes and gaps.

These things not only keep your home rodent-free, but they can also help you avoid other pests, like moths and insects. Some people do put out peppermint spray to repel rodents, but a clean and dry pantry is a good repellant on its own.

What To Do If You Find Signs of Pests in Your Home

Although there are many types of mouse traps and poisons that you can use to control mice in your pantry, rodent populations grow quickly. Their nests can harbour a variety of diseases and parasites. Poisons are potentially hazardous to your children and pets. The rodents can die in your walls or attics, which can leave a bigger mess. We recommend professional residential pest control to ensure the removal and cleanup are handled with care. Contact Truly Nolen Canada for rodent removal in Waterloo.