Pest control insights help Orlando homeowners recognize rodent warning signs and understand when professional rodent removal becomes necessary.
Cold snaps do not hit Orlando very often. But when they do, something predictable happens about a week later. Homeowners start noticing signs that rodents have moved in. Scratching in the attic. Droppings in the garage. Chew marks are showing up in places that were totally fine before temperatures dropped. Here is the thing. During the cold snap itself, everyone is focused on covering plants and adjusting the thermostat. The rodent evidence shows up afterward. Once temperatures bounce back to normal. And by then, those mice and rats have already been inside for days. Sometimes weeks. Central Florida has a unique situation regarding rodent control. We have mild winters year-round. Rodent populations never really die back as they do up north. They thrive out in palm trees, under landscaping, in dense vegetation. But when nighttime temperatures drop into the forties or fifties? All those established populations head for the nearest warm structure. Your house checks every box they are looking for. Homes near mature landscaping are especially vulnerable. Roof rats are everywhere in Orlando, and they are excellent climbers. That tree branch touching your roofline? Basically, a highway straight into your attic. What should homeowners look for? Droppings are the most obvious sign. Mouse droppings are tiny. About the size of a grain of rice. Rat droppings are larger, closer to half an inch. Check behind appliances, inside cabinets, and along baseboards. Gnaw marks are another giveaway. Rodents have teeth that never stop growing. So they chew constantly. Look for tooth marks on food packaging, wooden trim, and electrical wires. That last one is a genuine fire hazard. Listen for scratching sounds in walls or ceilings, especially at night. Those noises mean something is nesting in there. Rodents are nocturnal, so nighttime is when they are active. Here is what many people get wrong. They wait until they actually see a mouse or rat running across the floor before taking action. However, these animals are highly effective at staying hidden. By the time homeowners spot one in the open, the problem has usually been growing for weeks. Prevention comes down to a few main things. First, seal up entry points. Mice can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime. Check the foundation, areas around pipes and utility lines, and anywhere the roofline meets the walls. Second, trim back trees and shrubs that touch your roof. Third, eliminate food sources. Store pantry items in sealed containers. Clean up crumbs. Do not leave pet food sitting out overnight. The reality is that rodent populations grow fast. One pair of mice can produce dozens of offspring in just a few months. A small problem becomes a big problem before most people realize what is happening. If warning signs are showing up around your house, do not wait. The pest control specialists at ABC Home and Commercial Services handle rodent problems throughout the Orlando area. Visit ABC Home and Commercial Services dot com to schedule an inspection. ABC Home & Commercial Services Orlando City: Orlando Address: 823 East Colonial Drive Website: https://www.abchomeandcommercial.com/orlando Phone: +1 407 265 0665