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Got Mice? | Charleston, SC

Seeing a mouse in your home is unsettling, especially in light of the fact that one mouse in sight means there are certainly more. There is no such thing as “just one mouse.” Mice are colony animals, living in large groups as a matter of survival. If you see one in your home, chances are good that they have a nest and you have an infestation.

Signs of a Mouse Problem

got mice charleston, sc

Not everyone spots a mouse running through their home. Often the signs are far more subtle. You may find food packages that have been chewed or gnawed. There may be chew marks on trim or in other places where a mouse has attempted to create a passageway through a wall or baseboard. Mouse droppings are quite distinctive, resembling small black chocolate sprinkles. You may hear scratching noises in the walls, especially at night.

Protect Your House from Mice

While it’s nearly impossible to make your house completely hostile to mice, it’s important to understand what draws them in the first place. They come indoors seeking shelter, warmth, and food. By removing their opportunities to enter and making it difficult for them to find food, you can reduce the attractiveness of your home to your rodent neighbors.

Stop the Inward March

The first step in mouse-proofing your home is to reduce or remove any entryways the mice may be using to get in. Keep in mind that mice can squeeze through seemingly impossibly sized holes. They are masters at finding the tiniest nook or cranny. Use caulk and wire mesh to block any potential entrances, and stuff cracks with steel wool– one of the few materials mice are discouraged by.

Eliminate the Established Colony

Eliminating an existing infestation can be challenging. You may need to seek professional help, especially if you have a large or recurring mouse problem. Traditional traps are one of the most effective ways of eliminating mice, but if you have numerous rodents, you may need more advanced exterminating methods. Contact us today for a consultation and let us help rid your home of mice once and for all.

Fall Insect Problems | Charleston, SC

Fall in South Carolina means cooler temperatures and a welcome relief from summer’s heat and humidity. It also means that insects are on the move, seeking shelter from the falling temperatures and approaching winter months. Often they move into homes. Preventing and treating fall insect problems is a matter of planning ahead and knowing your enemy before they invade.

Types of Fall Pests

Fall insect problems charleston sc

Cockroaches are the most common fall pest. As the temperatures fall, these experts at survival instinctively seek out shelter. Lady beetles, which mimic the harmless garden “ladybugs” are another invader. Unlike their garden counterparts, they emit a terrible smell if crushed and can stain clothing and surfaces. Mosquitos, while often considered a spring and summer pest, remain active well into the fall. Fall is an optimum time for stink bugs and ants to transition indoors, making your home a perpetual nightmare of creeping, crawling critters.

Prevention and Removal Tips

Since homeowners don’t relish the thought of sharing their shelter with these creepy crawlers, it’s important to take an offensive approach to keeping them out of your home. For most pests, this is a matter of simply denying them entry. Keep your windows screened throughout the summer months, and check your screens regularly for holes or gaps where insects could enter. Seal cracks under doors and around windows with weather stripping or caulk. Be sure to keep food covered, trash well sealed, and clutter picked up in the home to avoid giving insects a place to find food and shelter within your home. Check pipes for leaks and basements for damp patches which provide bugs a source of moisture. Cut any brush back away from your home, to prevent insects from breeding in the vegetation.

Getting Rid of Fall Insect Infestation

If you find your home infested with any fall pests, it may be necessary to call in professional help. Not only can insects be treated with chemical insecticides, a professional team can help you discover sources of entry and other things attracting insects into your home and advise you on how to remedy the problem. Exclusive Pest Control can handle all of your fall insect problems. Whether it be bed bugs, roaches, or mosquitos, Exclusive Pest can exterminate efficiently and effectively. Call (843) 461-5169 to schedule an inspection today!

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