Winter is Coming: Don't Let Rodents Cozy Up in Your Home!
November 10, 2023

Winter is Coming: Don't Let Rodents Cozy Up in Your Home!

As the calendar flips to November and temperatures drop, homeowners in South Florida might notice some unexpected visitors. Even though we enjoy a warm climate year-round, chilly days can still drive rodents indoors in search of warmth and food. From Norway rats congregating around our canals, seaports, and docks, to roof rats and house mice making themselves at home in our residences, the winter season often brings an increase in rodent activity.

Understanding Rodent Behavior in Winter

Rodents, such as the common house mouse or the Norway rat, are not fans of cold weather. While South Florida may not experience the harsh winters seen in other parts of the country, even our milder cool spells can send rodents scurrying for shelter. As food sources become scarcer outdoors, these pests are also attracted to the abundance of food in homes.

How Rodents Find Their Way into Your Home

Rodents are notorious for their ability to infiltrate homes. They're equipped with unique physical attributes and survival instincts that allow them to adapt to almost any environment. It's crucial to understand how they can invade our living spaces, so we can effectively block their entry and protect our homes.

Exceptional Climbers and Swimmers

  • Agile climbers: Rodents, especially house mice and roof rats, are known for their climbing skills. They can scale vertical surfaces and even traverse along thin wires or ropes. This allows them to gain access to your home through upper levels or roof openings.
  • Strong swimmers: Norway rats are particularly good swimmers. They can enter buildings through sewer systems or cross water bodies to reach food sources or find shelter.

Master of Squeezing Through Cracks

  • Flexibility: Rodents have an incredibly flexible body structure. A mouse can squeeze through a hole as small as a dime, and a rat through a hole the size of a quarter.
  • Gnawing ability: Rodents have sharp, strong teeth that allow them to gnaw through various materials, including wood, plastic, and even soft metals, to create entry points into your home.

Unnoticed Entry

  • Nocturnal nature: Rodents are primarily nocturnal, meaning they're most active at night. This makes it easy for them to enter and move around your home unnoticed.
  • Quick breeders: Rodents reproduce quickly, so a small, initially unnoticed infestation can rapidly grow if not addressed promptly.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

Regular home inspections are crucial in detecting early signs of a rodent infestation. These signs include:


  • Droppings: Finding rodent droppings around your home is one of the most common signs of an infestation.
  • Signs of gnawing: If you notice gnaw marks on furniture, food containers, or wiring, it's likely that rodents have made their way into your home.
  • Unusual pet behavior: Pets often become agitated or excited when they detect rodents in the house. If your pet is acting unusually, it may be a sign of a rodent presence.

Rodent Invasion: More Than Just a Nuisance

When rodents find their way into our homes, they bring along more than just discomfort and annoyance. These seemingly small creatures can pose significant health risks and cause substantial property damage. Let's delve deeper into these potential threats and why it's crucial to keep rodents at bay.

Health Risks Associated with Rodents

Rodents are known carriers of several diseases that can be dangerous to humans. The transmission can occur directly through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, or indirectly through ticks, mites, and fleas that have fed on an infected rodent. Here are some of the diseases associated with rodents:


  • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): This is a severe, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease in humans transmitted primarily by some species of rats and mice.
  • Leptospirosis: It's a bacterial disease that can be contracted through contact with water or soil contaminated by rodent urine.
  • Salmonellosis: Rodents can carry Salmonella bacteria in their digestive tract, which can contaminate food and surfaces in your home, leading to this form of food poisoning.
  • Rat-Bite Fever (RBF): It is a systemic bacterial illness that can be acquired through a bite, scratch from a rodent, or contact with a dead rodent.

Property Damage Caused by Rodents

Beyond health risks, rodents can also cause significant damage to your property. Their incessant need to gnaw can lead to:


  • Structural Damage: Rodents can gnaw on almost anything while searching for food or nesting materials, including wood, insulation, and even concrete.
  • Electrical Damage: Perhaps one of the most dangerous forms of damage, rodents can chew through electrical wiring, increasing the risk of electrical fires.
  • Food Contamination: Rodents can chew through packaging and contaminate stored food in your pantry, leading to waste and potential health risks.


The health risks and potential property damage caused by rodents underscore the importance of maintaining a rodent-free home. Regular inspection, prompt action at the first sign of infestation, and professional pest control services can help ensure that your home remains a safe and comfortable haven.

Calling in the Experts: Professional Pestguard's Rodent Control Services

When you've noticed signs of rodents in your home, it's time to take immediate action. Addressing a rodent infestation is not a task to be taken lightly or handled on your own. It requires expertise and precision, which is where Professional Pestguard steps in.



With over 40 years of experience in treating pests across South Florida, Professional Pestguard has developed an unparalleled understanding of local pest behavior, their habits, and the most effective strategies to eliminate them. Our team consists of highly trained professionals who are ready to provide timely and efficient service to ensure your home is rid of these unwanted guests.

Expertise and Experience You Can Trust

Professional Pestguard's rodent control services are grounded in decades of experience and extensive knowledge. We've spent years perfecting our methods and approaches to ensure we offer the most effective and efficient pest control services in South Florida.

Our services begin with a comprehensive inspection of your property to identify signs of infestation, potential entry points, and areas of activity. Using this information, we formulate a customized treatment plan that targets the specific rodents in your home and their hiding spots.


We don't just stop at eliminating the present infestation. Our team also focuses on preventive measures to reduce the chances of future invasions. This includes sealing potential entry points, advising on sanitation improvements, and providing recommendations for changes in landscapes or structures that may attract rodents.

Peace of Mind with Professional Pestguard

Our goal at Professional Pestguard is not just to remove the pesky invaders but also to provide you with peace of mind. When you choose our services, you can rest assured that you're entrusting your home to experts who prioritize your safety and satisfaction.



With Professional Pestguard, you're choosing a rodent-free home and a trusted partner in maintaining a safe and comfortable living space. Don't let a rodent infestation disrupt your peace; let our experienced professionals handle it for you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rodents may be small in size, but they carry large implications for your health and the integrity of your property. But there's no need to face this menace alone. With Professional Pestguard, you're choosing a partner with decades of expert experience, a sharp focus on custom solutions, and a commitment to not just resolving your current infestation but also preventing future invasions. Keep your home safe, your mind at ease, and the rodents at bay with Professional Pestguard—the trusted name in South Florida for comprehensive rodent control services.


As winter approaches in South Florida, don't let your home become a cozy retreat for rodents. Understand their behavior, remain vigilant for signs of their presence, and take preventive measures to keep them at bay. If you need help, remember that Professional Pestguard is just a call away.

About Professional Pestguard

When dealing with an infestation of rats or rodents leading professional pest control services may be the best option as they will have the necessary knowledge, tools, and experience to safely handle the situation.


If you need a professional pest control company for your residential property in Weston, Florida, and nearby areas? Professional Pestguard is here to help! We provide reliable pest control solutions to our clients to help keep their commercial and residential properties safe and free from pest infestation and other unwanted lawn problems.


 For more queries about professional rat exterminator services, call us at (954) 389-6107 , send your concerns at  (786) 282-6767 , or info@professionalpestguard.com . To request a free service, please fill out our form to Request a Free Quote .

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