Among the things we’ve come to trust in good old Cape Cod are our long winters. They’re charming, no one disputes that, but in those older homes, rodents often sneak and settle into those warm, dark corners. And no, they’re not the model tenants landlords praise; they gnaw, scratch, and chew through whatever interests them, often leading to a massive fire hazard. We can’t forget about the droppings. The smell and color aren’t the worst part; they also spread disease.
Let’s talk about some clear markers that show you have a rodent problem and what to do to get rid of them.
Droppings in drawers, cabinets, or along baseboards
Light is faster than sound. So, let’s start with the visible signs of rodents: droppings. Mouse pellets are tiny, not much bigger than a grain of rice, but they’re dark. The same applies to rat droppings. But they’re larger, more oblong, and more smelly.
The most common places where roach droppings are found include kitchen cabinets, around appliances, in the garage, and on the inner walls. Your immediate feeling would be to take a broom and sweep them off, but stop and think. Always hire a professional before starting any cleanup. If you decide to clean them yourself, use gloves and spray disinfectant on them.
Gnaw marks on food packaging, wood, or wires.
Rodents’ teeth never stop growing. To keep it in proper shape, they have to keep chewing things around them. This is why you find chew marks on cardboard boxes, plastic food containers, and electrical cords everywhere—always been on the lookout if you’re living in an older house in Cape Cod. More so if you have exposed beams or unfinished basements, you’ll often find these teeth marks around entry points.
Scratching or scurrying sounds at night
When you hear the scratching of your walls, do not allow your imagination to run wild. It is not the wind or a particular mythical creature from that horror movie. Rodents become active at night. And they want you to know they’re about their business. Your dog or cat often picks up the sound first. If you notice they become fixed on a particular spot, they probably have homed in on nesting activity or hiding spot of your local rodent population.
Nests made from Shredded material
Rodents build with whatever they find. This could include shredded paper, fabric, insulation, or your kid’s stuffed animal stuffing. The good news is they’re not that difficult to find. Check undisturbed areas of your house, such as behind water heaters, in crawl spaces, and under sinks. If you find a messy pile of ripped-up material with a soft centre, you’ve found an active nest.
Grease marks along walls or door frames
Rodents crawl through tiny spaces. Leaving behind a greasy trail as they pass. The oil comes from their fur. Check behind pipes and small holes for those dark oily marks. Rodents may be quick, but they do leave a trail you can follow.
What to do next (and what not to do)
If you’ve read this far and found two or more of the signs above to be true in your space, then keep reading. Here’s what you should do next.
First, don’t rely solely on store-bought traps. They work, but at a limited success rate. They won’t rid you of an infestation. Rodents breed really fast – a single pair of rodents can potentially produce thousands of descendants in one year. Second, avoid using poison indoors. A dead rodent can get stuck in a wall and stink up the entire house for weeks. This is not a problem to ignore. The longer they fester, the larger the damage they cause. Think of a gnarly population of rodents gnawing at your wiring, insulation, and your home’s structure.
The best move is to find how they’re getting in and seal it. But it’s easier said than done. Older Cape Cod homes have gaps around pipes, cracks in foundations, attic vents, and worn-out weatherstripping that are easy entryways for rodents.
You’ll want to contact A&M Pest Control to conduct a proper inspection. We will find all the possible entry points. What you want is a holistic plan to remove the rodents safely. A&M Pest Control specializes in rodent removal in Cape Cod homes. The team uses targeted non-toxic methods to get rid of pesky rodents hiding in those hard-to-reach places. Contact us today.
