Why Are Rats and Mice Active This Time of Year?

When the wintery months start to roll in each year, most Northern Virginia homeowners feel as if a huge burden has been lifted off of their shoulders. They know that this cold season means that they will no longer have to be pestered by the mere presence of such insects as gnats, houseflies, ants and mosquitoes at least until the arrival of spring.

Before you start the first couple steps of your annual victory dance, please keep in mind that you still have to stay prepared for an even bigger pest problem. Ants and houseflies of the summer are not able to come anywhere close to doing the kind of damage that rats and mice can do throughout the winter. Why are these rodents still fully active and wreaking havoc throughout your home, even in the winter?

They Are Adaptable Creatures

Unlike other pests, rats and mice are naturally adaptable creatures. Other pests need specific types of food to nourish themselves and keep themselves alive; they are also unable to survive in all different types of weather long-term. Rats and mice, on the other hand, are completely different because there is no type of inclement weather or specific food shortage that can stop them in their tracks.

Rats and mice eat whatever they want, including the foods that we ourselves eat as humans. They will even leave their own trails of excrements, Hantavirus, urine and saliva throughout your kitchen cabinets and pantries to let you know that they enjoyed dining there.

They Are Survival Experts

Rats and mice have a higher sense of intelligence than most insects and other smaller pests. They are mentally able to take care of themselves in even the most hostile situations, because they are experts when it comes to surviving.

When it gets too hot in Northern Virginia, they know that they need to go find shade and when it gets too cold, they know that they need to find shelter. That is primarily why they can be found in all different types of areas and climates around the world throughout the year. Sadly, their top choice for shade and shelter throughout the year is more than likely going to be your house.

They Are Hard to Kill

Another downside about rats and mice is that they are very hard to get rid of when they have found a new home for themselves and for their families. Even some of the most high-tech trapping mechanisms prove to be ineffective in some situations, especially if the rodent has already been able to intellectually identify that the device is something that they do not want to go near.

This is why the best thing that you can do for yourself today is to make sure that you invest in quality rodent control. Handling these rats and mice is not something that the average homeowner can take care of throughout the winter, so it is advantageous for them to invest in professional rodent control services so that they will not have to worry about it later.