Dr. Eric Paysen, lead Entomologist at Lloyd Pest Control, provides insight and tips to help protect your home against such invaders this winter season.
Pristine, clean and gorgeous Coronado might be the last area you would expect to harbor rodents. More often than not, these creatures are associated with dirty, unsanitary places. It is not our fault that we buy into this association. Years of iconic movies like Batman with rats running down every ominous alley and old images of rat-riddled streets during the bubonic plague have conditioned us to associate them with dirt and disease. The truth is, rodents are found in some of the cleanest most sanitary places, one being Coronado.
In winter, we observe almost five times as many rat calls here at Lloyd Pest Control than in any other season. Winter rains and cold temperatures cause rodents to take shelter in warmer places, moving outside in, leaving residents with small winter invaders that are the cause of big problems. In many cases, an infestation can go unnoticed for years. Understanding rodent habits can help you prevent an infestation and/or identify one if it might be underway.
Roof rats, the most common type in San Diego, along with the house mouse, hate the cold and love lush vegetation, which is one of the reasons that Coronado is prime real estate. The abundance of palm trees makes for a habitable home and ideal breeding ground. Rodents don’t always stick to nesting outdoors, especially as the winter season rolls in. Indoors, they tend to nest in attics, garage overhangs and other warm secluded places.
The most common types of rodents in Coronado are rats and mice. Structurally, rats are larger in size I have seen them up to 8″ in Coronado, 18″ including the tail and darker in color with long thick tails and big eyes. Mice are smaller (about 4 inches) with white and grey coloring, short pointy snouts, small eyes and big ears. Regardless, both are a nuisance and can be treated in a similar fashion.
Thankfully, there are some easy at-home tips to help protect your home against these critters:
1. Seal up any holes or openings: Rodents can fit through a hole the size of a quarter. Use steel or copper wool to block small entrances such as areas where pipes or wires enter the home. You can also use a mesh screen atop fire places and vents that might be a possible entry points. Doggy doors should be sealed completely when not in use and at night.
2. Remove any brush rubbing against the home: Rodents travel from tree to house and can jump up to three feet. Trim trees and brush making sure the foliage surrounding your house does not provide for an easy transfer.
3. Eliminate food sources: Seal garbage tightly and dispose of in a timely manner. Also make sure grains and other stored food are in air tight containers. Rodents also feed on any food source outside as well including fallen citrus in the yard and pet food. Remove fallen fruit and seal pet food when not in use. Water is another attraction, so get rid of any still water, especially in pots or buckets that might fill after it rains.
If you look and listen for signs, it is easy to determine if you have rodents:
Noises from the attic at night or scurrying sounds when you flip on lights.
Food containers that appear to be nibbled on.
Gnawing on furniture, wood beams, wires, etc.
Droppings (check above cabinets and places that might not be visible with normal activity).
Nests (in cabinets, furniture, appliance and machinery).
It seems like everyone in Coronado has their own unique “rat story”, experiencing them popping up in some of the most unexpected places. One place people tend to overlook is their car. Several times I have witnessed rats taking refuge in car engines which can be particularly devastating if they chew wires leading to a costly repair. If you think you may have rats in your engine try parking your car in a different area or in a garage.
If you have determined that you have a rodent problem, there are a number of ways to rid them. While there are poisons and other over the counter products, traps are the most effective. Also, poisons can particularly tricky because more often than not a rat may die in the walls causing a strong odor. If this happens, it is not uncommon to punch through the wall in order to remove the rodent. Traps are an effective method only if you place enough of them correctly. Most companies provide a free inspection or will do a walk through to identify the severity of your rodent issue and discuss the best rodent removal strategy for you.
About the expert: Dr. Eric Paysen holds a Ph.D. in Entomology and is the lead Entomologist at Lloyd Pest Control, a San Diego-based company that specializes in pest solutions. For more than 80 years, family-owned Lloyd Pest Control has provided Southern California homes and businesses with award-winning protection against ants, fleas, roaches, spiders, rodents, bed bugs and termites. For more information visit www.BadBugs.com.
