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With the extreme winter weather we’ve been experiencing throughout Tennessee, it’s no wonder that rodent infestations are spiking. It’s cold and icy outside, but homes have the warmth, shelter, and food these furry creatures need to thrive.
Once rodents get into your house, it usually doesn’t take very long to start noticing signs that they’ve moved in. You might hear sounds in your walls, smell something unpleasant, or find droppings in your kitchen. The best way to eliminate a rodent infestation with as little trouble as possible is to identify it as soon as possible. That’s why knowing all the signs of an infestation is important.
All-American Pest Control has been dealing with rodent infestations in Tennessee homes for over 65 years. Our technicians are experts at spotting the signs of an infestation, identifying where rodents are spending time in and around your house, and providing the services necessary to get rid of them. We’re here to share the information you need to know about rodents and the signs we look for to identify an issue.
What Are the Most Telltale Signs of Rodents in Winter?
Rodents are not very discreet when they move into your house. As primarily nocturnal creatures, they may not show up around your house when you’re up and about, but they’ll still make it fairly obvious that they’re around. Some of the most common signs of a rodent infestation include:
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Fresh droppings in drawers and pantries, on countertops, or under appliances
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Scratching or squeaking sounds coming from your walls or ceilings that mainly occur at night
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A persistent, sour odor from urine buildup
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Gnawed wires, cardboard, and food packaging
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Nesting materials found in closets, attics, or storage spaces, or behind appliances
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Greasy smudge marks along walls, baseboards, or pipes
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Pets acting strangely toward cabinets or baseboards
Where Do We Check First When We Suspect Rodents?
Rodents tend to spend their time in certain places more than others. It’s helpful to know common areas for rodent activity so that you can check those spaces first when trying to determine if rodents have moved into your Tennessee home. Some of the most common spaces for rodents to show up are:
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Kitchens and pantries- These spaces offer food, which is essential for rodents to survive.
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Under sinks and behind dishwashers- Rodents choose these spaces for their shelter as well as their access to water.
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Behind or under appliances- Appliances offer safe shelter for rodents and often emit heat that keeps them warm through the winter.
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Attics, basements, and crawl spaces- Although these areas aren’t as warm as other parts of your house, they offer seclusion and safety that is difficult to find in the lived-in areas of your home.
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Utility rooms and HVAC closets- These spaces offer quiet nesting spots that are rarely disturbed.
When looking for mice or rats, think about the areas of your house that don’t get a lot of foot traffic. Rodents are most likely to spend their time in the spaces that aren’t frequented by people or pets.
How Do We Confirm If It’s an Active Infestation?
Maybe you’ve seen signs of a rodent infestation, but you’re hoping it was one that happened a long time ago and is no longer active. Is there any way to tell how recently the rodent activity occurred? There are several things All-American’s pest experts do to determine if an infestation is current and how severe it is.
First, we assess the signs. Are the droppings fresh? Fresh droppings are dark and moist. Old droppings are ashier in color and dry and crumbly. We work similarly to determine how old gnaw marks are. Recent ones are lighter in color and have rough edges.
Another way to determine if you have an active infestation is to track the signs you see. Our technicians constantly monitor for new signs, checking each time we visit a home to see if any new ones have appeared.
Confirming an active infestation is an important part of the process because early detection is the key to stopping the infestation from growing and spreading.
What Entry Points Do Rodents Use in Tennessee Homes?
You may be wondering how rodents got into your house in the first place. These pests aren’t tiny like bugs, so wouldn’t they need a big opening to get inside? Unfortunately, rodents are really good at squeezing through tiny openings. Any gap as small as a dime will allow them access to your house.
If you take a look around your home’s exterior, you’ll probably be surprised at what you find. Rodents can exploit:
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Cracks in brick, siding, and foundation walls
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Gaps around utility lines or dryer vents
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Under doors without weather stripping
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Torn vent screens in crawlspaces or attic gables
Why Quick Action Matters with Winter Rodents
If you’ve seen signs of rodents in your house, you don’t want to let them hang around for any length of time. The longer they stay, the more problems they’ll cause. One of the main reasons for fast action is because of how quickly rodents reproduce. A single female can have six to ten litters per year. Each new female reaches maturity in a matter of weeks, allowing the population to grow out of control in no time.
Rodents are also extremely destructive. They chew on wires, insulation, food packaging, pipes, and other property. They use your belongings for nesting materials and damage stored items in the process. They leave urine and droppings everywhere they go, which is not only gross, but also poses a significant health risk to everyone in your house.
By addressing a rodent infestation as soon as you notice it, you can stop it from spreading and multiplying. This protects your home, property, and family, while saving you money and preserving your peace of mind.
How All-American Pest Control Handles Winter Rodent Cases
When you contact All-American for rodent control, we’ll visit your home to perform a thorough inspection of interior and exterior spaces. This allows us to identify access points, nesting zones, and conducive conditions, while determining how widespread the infestation has become.
We’ll then create a treatment plan that keeps your family’s health and safety in mind. We typically use strategic trapping and bait station placement to eliminate activity in your house and prevent new rodents from getting inside. Our rodent control service also includes ongoing support, with free follow-ups included in our Perimeter Plus and other home pest control plans.
Additionally, we’ll provide recommendations on sealing your home to prevent new rodent activity in the future. Although we don’t offer exclusion services, we can help you understand what work needs to be done, and can recommend a professional if you choose to go that route.
When Should You Call for Professional Help?
Many homeowners try do-it-yourself methods of rodent control, but the results are usually subpar. Instead of spending your time on methods that are unlikely to work, we recommend skipping straight to professional rodent control from All-American Pest Control. When should you call us?
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You’ve spotted droppings, heard noises, or smelled something strange
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You’ve sealed entry points, but are still seeing signs of rodent activity
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You’re unsure if the problem is mice, rats, or something else
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You want peace of mind during the winter months to keep rodents out before they get inside
There’s no obligation when you contact All-American. Request a free home evaluation to see if our services are right for you.
Keep Your Home Rodent-Free This Winter By Contacting All-American
If you have reason to believe that rodents are in your house, or if you want to make sure they can’t get inside, contact All-American Pest Control. We offer the rodent control and prevention services you need to protect your home and family. Request your free evaluation today.
Comprehensive Pest Control Solutions in Nashville, TN & Nearby Areas
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Brentwood, Centerville, Fairview, Thompson’s Station, Arrington, Leiper’s Fork, Windstone, Westhaven, McKay’s Mill, Ladd Park, Rizer Point, Silver Stream, Annandale, Canterbury, Governors Club, Avalon, LaurelBrooke, Belle Vista, Lockwood Glen, Lookaway Farms, Maplewood, McLemore Farms, Meadowview Estates, College Grove, Franklin, Nolensville, Primm Springs, as well as the entire Williamson County and Greater Nashville areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.