How To Get Rid of Mice
Many homes in the Vancouver area are infested with mice. They can live in the walls, in the crawl space or the attic and homeowners may not even know that they are there. By the time the problem presents itself (usually the presence of mouse droppings), the infestation may be out of hand. So, if you suspect that you have an issue with mice and are wanting to be proactive, when is the best time to have a pest control company treat your home for rodents and exterminate them?
To answer this question, you have to understand their reproductive cycle. A female mouse has a gestation time of about 20 days and is capable of having up to 70 pups a year! Imagine how fast an infestation can quickly get out of control after just a few generations. Since breeding is most active in the springtime, it is best to do a pest control shortly before that.
At this time of year in the Vancouver, Washington area, we are experiencing temperatures ranging between 30 and 40 degrees. This cold weather is drawing mice and rats to your home in search of warmth. Many homes are secured enough that they cannot get access, but some homes leave the door open. By having openings in foundation vent screens, it is allowing rodents to get inside your warm, insulated crawlspace quickly. Mice can also access the crawlspace by digging under the foundation if they are persistent enough.
With these two things in mind, to answer the question of when is the best time to treat, the answer is “RIGHT NOW”!
If you are experiencing problems with rodents and are ready to call in a local pest control company, here are the things that you can expect. First, a pest control technician will inspect your home and crawlspace, looking for the most apparent signs of rodents (rodent droppings or feces). Once it is determined that rodents exist, they can start to look for entry points and potential food sources. These last two will assist with the future prevention of rodents as well. Next, rodent bait stations will be placed in tamper-proof boxes around the house.
What is the price of a rodent treatment?
This will vary depending on the size of the home and how bad the infestation is. Many pest control companies in Vancouver will not state firm pricing on the phone, but here at New Leaf Pest Control, we try to be as transparent as possible. Our prices start at $98 for a basic rodent treatment and can go up to around $249. If you are interested in finding out more or would like to discuss scheduling a pest control treatment, please give us a call!