Dealing with a rat or mouse infestation is every homeowner’s nightmare. These common pests can be difficult to evict once they’ve invaded your home in Hanover, Pennsylvania. To permanently get rid of rodents, you should early on identify signs of infestation.

Then, use humane yet effective methods to remove them. Finally, take measures to make your home rodent-proof. This guide will walk you through the process of eliminating rats and mice and keeping them from coming back.

Detecting Early Signs of Rats and Mice

Finding an infestation quickly increases the likelihood of removing the rodents before they multiply and become a larger problem. Be on the lookout for these common signs of rats and mice:

• Droppings – Check along baseboards, in cabinets, and anywhere rodents can enter. Look for pill-shaped black droppings around 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch long.
• Chewing damage – Look for gnaw marks and holes in food, wires, wood, furniture, and other materials. Mice can squeeze through holes as small as 1⁄4 inch.
• Odors – Catch a whiff of a musty, urine-like smell, especially near nests.
• Rub marks – See greasy rub marks along walls and baseboards from rodent fur.
• Noises – Listen for scurrying in walls and ceilings, particularly at night when rodents are most active.
• Nesting materials – Discover tufts of fiber, paper, and debris that indicate nesting spots.

Act quickly at the first signs before the infestation grows. House mice reproduce rapidly, producing a new litter every 20-30 days.

Safe, Humane Rodent Removal Methods

When dealing with rats and mice, avoid cruel removal methods like glue traps, which lead to prolonged suffering. There are more humane and effective options:

• Live cage traps – Bait traps with peanut butter or bacon to lure rodents inside. Release animals at least 10 miles from home in a rural area.
• Pest Control Services – Hire an exterminator like On the Fly Pest Solutions to use humane bait stations and remove all rodents.
• Block off entry points – Seal holes, cracks, and entryways after removing rodents so new ones can’t get in.
• Natural deterrents – Place bags of mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls in affected areas to drive rodents away.
• Remove food sources – Remove outdoor pet food, bird feeders, fallen fruit/berries, garbage, and other attractions.

Using humane methods removes rodents without causing unnecessary pain and distress. Be patient, as completely removing an infestation takes diligence.

Rodent-Proofing Your Hanover Home

To keep rats and mice away for good, you need to rodent-proof your home so they can’t get back in. Here are some key steps:

• Seal up entry points – Check inside and outside your home for gaps and holes. Use various materials like steel wool, cement, and mesh to fill holes in walls, floors, ceilings, foundations, attics, and around pipes.
• Install weather stripping – Seal gaps around doors, windows, and openings to the outdoors.
• Clean up clutter – Get rid of stacks of materials and items rodents can hide behind.
• Protect food and water sources – Store human and pet food in chew-proof containers. Clean up spills right away.
• Cut back vegetation – Trim back bushes, branches, and vegetation touching the home.
• Add garage door seals – Install brush or rubber seals along the bottom of garage doors.
• Use metal trash cans – Switch to metal garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.
• Inspect packages/groceries – Check for signs of mice before bringing items indoors.

With diligence, you can successfully rodent-proof your home. Contact a pest control company for additional rodent exclusion services.

Rats and mice are persistent pests that can be difficult to evict once an infestation takes hold. Stay vigilant in looking for early signs of their presence. Utilize only humane removal methods and take steps to rodent-proof your Hanover home to prevent new invaders.

With the right prevention and removal techniques, you can rid your home of rodents for good. Contact On the Fly Pest Solutions to remove rats and mice and prevent future infestations.