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Winter is a key time to understand and manage rodent infestations. Here's a detailed and informative article exploring rodent behavior in winter and offering tips for effective rodent detection and control.
Increase in Rodents in Winter
Contrary to popular belief, most rodents do not hibernate in winter. Species like mice and rats remain active, seeking shelter in homes to protect themselves from the cold and find food. In fact, winter can see a significant increase in rodent infestations in homes as they seek warmth and food.
Rodent Behavior in Winter
Rodents, such as mice and rats, adopt very specific strategies to survive during the cold months:
Food Storage:
They begin storing food as early as fall, seeking out foods like grains, birdseed, compost scraps, and even paper. These reserves help them survive during the months when food is scarce.
Nesting:
Rodents build nests from a variety of materials, often in secluded, warm corners of homes. House mice seek out artificial structures for their nests, while field mice may use abandoned bird or squirrel nests. In both cases, these two types of mice often congregate together to keep warm during cold spells.
Rodent Entrance:
Mice can enter through openings as small as a dime, while a quarter-sized opening is sufficient for a rat. These small passages, located under doors, in ventilation openings, or around cables and pipes, make it easy for rodents to enter.
How to Detect a Rodent Infestation
To find out if you have rodents in your home in winter, you can look for the following signs:
- Noise: Scratching or chewing noises, especially at night.
- Material Damage: Bite marks on electrical cables, furniture, or food packaging.
- Excrement: These are characterized by small, pointed black droppings.
- Odor: An ammonia odor from rodent urine may be present in your environment.
- Nests: Accumulations of materials such as paper or fabric in isolated areas of the house.
- Pet Behavior: Dogs and cats can be disturbed by the presence of rodents, paying attention to unusual places in the house. A change in behavior in your pets can therefore be a sign of the presence of rodents in your home.
- Tracks and Tails: Small prints or trailing tail lines will appear in dusty areas
Prevention and Control
To prevent rodent infestations:
- Seal openings: Close and seal all openings through which rodents could enter. Effective products exist for this purpose, such as anti-rodent copper netting . It is important to know that mice can enter through holes the size of a pencil.
- Safe food storage: Store food in airtight containers.
- Cleaning: A clean and tidy home is less attractive to rodents. Regularly removing potential food sources and standing water is crucial to discourage rodents from moving in.
- Regular Inspection: With prevention traps , you can check them regularly to prevent rodents from entering your home and to determine if there have been any attempts.
Conclusion :
Understanding rodent behavior in winter and recognizing the signs of an infestation is essential for effective management of these pests, which can cause significant damage. With a proactive approach and, if necessary, the help of certain products, you can protect your home from these unwanted guests during the cold months.