Our Rodent Control Service
Most people have the same basic reaction of disgust when they hear the term "rodent."
While approximately 40% of mammal species are rodents - making them one of the most prolific animal groups - we tend to think of rodents only rats and mice. In reality, rodents are the most diversified class of mammals, living in large numbers on every continent except Antarctica. They adapt well to most terrestrial environments, including, unfortunately, human habitats.
Beyond rats and mice, well-known rodents include muskrats, squirrels, and groundhogs. Rodents share a common characteristic. They all have a single pair of continuously growing incisors, evident in both their upper and lower jaws. To keep the growth of these incisors in check, rodents are known to gnaw on materials such as wood and wire, which can cause dangerous damage in homes and attics.
How Long Do Rodents Live?
The majority of rodents only live between three and four years. During that time, however, they are capable of breeding many times and having many babies. Some species, like the rat, can grow their population at an alarming rate.
Why Are Rodents So Attracted to Your Home?
A rodent's behavior is driven by three things - food, water, and shelter. Our homes offer these basic needs in abundance, and homeowners often "lay out the red carpet" for rodents without even realizing it. There are many ways to minimize your risk of drawing in a rodent.
Reduce Temptation for Hungry Rodents
Try removing your pets food bowls from outside areas and hanging bird feeders away from the physical structure of your home. You can also lock garbage up in tightly sealed containers to make it harder for rodents to access food.
Take Away Their Water Source
Birdbaths and fountains are the perfect watering holes for rodents. If you have a rodent problem, keeping these dry will help to discourage the rodents from coming by. You may also need to look at other less obvious sources of water as well. These may include a leaking water hose or an area near your foundation which becomes overly waterlogged after a storm.
Seal Up Points of Entry
All possible means of access should be subject to exclusion repairs. Rodents such as rats and squirrels may find their way in through damaged soffits and roofing materials, but may also be able to breach chimneys and attic vents.
Our Process
It will be necessary to come up with a specialized plan to eliminate your rodent problem. Each rodent has different habits and preferences, and each method of exclusion is designed to deal with that specific animal.
Phase 1: At Armadillo Wildlife, we never begin n rodent extraction without performing a comprehensive inspection of your home, roof, and property. This process will identify which rodent you are dealing with, as well as the scope of the infestation. Our trained wildlife control experts will locate nests, burrows, and vulnerabilities which the rodents are exploiting to enter your home.
Phase 2: We will next sit down with you to detail our findings and our recommended plan of action. Rodent extraction methods may vary based upon the animal in question. Once you fully understand the situation and have agreed to the strategy for removal, we can get started.
Phase 3: Groundhogs and muskrats never actually breach the home. Therefore we will be working outside on your property to rid the area of these pests. For those rodents which have invaded your home, such as rats and squirrels, the procedure is different. It will include not only trapping and removal but ridding your home from droppings and contaminated materials which may cause disease.
Phase 4: Once we have removed the rodents, we perform exclusion repairs designed to deter their return to your home and property. Depending on the rodent in question, our methods will vary. When excluding groundhogs and muskrats, we will collapse and seal off tunnels and burrows. When excluding rats, mice, and squirrels from your home, we will seal off points of entry. These access points may include holes in the foundation or soffits, or pipes and chimney shafts which lead into the home.
Phase 5: We will discuss our final extraction and removal report with you after the job is complete. This discussion will include recommendations for ways you can reduce the risk of the rodents returning.
Damage Rodents Can Cause
Rodents can cause extensive damage to your home and property.
Rats are known not only to steal and eat your food right out of the pantry, but to leave urine, feces, and hair behind. These elements can carry disease and cause humans to get very ill. Rats transmit fleas, lice, ticks, and mites. Rats and mice are also guilty of starting electrical fires. Because of those ever-growing incisors, they will chew on anything, including the wires in your roofing structure and attic. Between burrowing and gnawing, they can wreak havoc in your home.
Squirrels Their chewing is also known to ruin roofing materials, soffits, eaves, insulation, and wiring.
Groundhogs will tear up your lawn, damage landscaping, destroy root systems of trees and plants, and even displace dirt along your foundation.
Muskrats are the least intrusive of the rodents we remove but can ruin the banks of ponds and lakes.
Learn More
Rodents are everywhere. While there is no need to be intimidated by any rodent infestation, it is necessary to deal with the problem as soon as it is detected. Whether you hear scratching in your attack, or have notice droppings in your cabinets - call the rodent extraction experts at Armadillo Wildlife.
Armadillo Wildlife is proud to serve the Fort Wayne community, as well as Warsaw, Auburn, Angola, Syracuse, and surrounding areas.
