Following the Monsoon season, temperatures in Phoenix typically begin to cool down steadily throughout Autumn on the way to Winter. Cooler desert nights in September/October push rodents to seek warmth, shelter, and food. In fact, as Autumn arrives, rodents in Phoenix are beginning to look for food, water, and harborage, and with cooler temperatures outside causing rodents to look for indoor spaces, your home could be at risk for an unwanted visitor. Some Phoenix homeowners may think it feels too “early” for a rodent invasion, but evidence to the contrary, along with the overwhelming increase of rodents in general since 2020, for a variety of reasons.
Homeowners can do several things to help keep rodents out; some proven solutions include a typical mix of Do-It-Yourself prevention (keeping your house clean, for example, to cut down on their opportunities to be attracted to something inside your home) and professional protection (exclusion practices from a pest control company)
Did you know: Truly Nolen Pest Control offers proactive rodent control before an infestation spreads.
Climate factor: As rodents are very reactionary to their surroundings, even the slightest of nighttime temperature decreases would push rodents inside sooner than most homeowners would expect
Foraging for Food becomes Flummoxing: When Autumn and Winter kick into high gear, outdoor seeds and insects (perfect food sources for rodents) decline, sending rodents scurrying for potential home entry.
Harborage High Priority: While entering a home, rodents still need to be sure predators like indoor cats will not disrupt their plans; as a result, attics, garages, and storage sheds are keen areas for them to find safe nesting areas
Common Entry Points: Air vents, garage door gaps, rooflines, outdoor screens, windows, and utility openings are among the places rodents can try to enter your home
Did you know: Mice can squeeze through openings the size of a dime, and Rats can squeeze through openings the size of a quarter, so even very small holes should be sealed to prevent entry and reentry of rodents
Why being aware of these early matters: rodents tend to multiply swiftly, and as such, populations are maintained through constant reproduction, which makes eliminating them that much more difficult
Seal entry points: Caulk cracks, seal openings around mesh vents, pipes, cables, and wires that enter through walls or the foundation, install weather stripping on doors, tight-fitting cover for the crawl space.
Not Just Window Dressing: Be sure all windows that can be opened are screened and that the screens are in good condition
Declutter: Remove garage/storage clutter that provides nesting
Food control: Store pantry food and pet food in airtight containers; do not leave pet food out overnight, dispose of trash properly
Yard care: Trim branches away from rooflines (rodent highways). Remove standing water, eliminate wood piles
Safety note: Rodent traps may help, but infestations often go beyond what D-I-Y can solve
If an infestation is overwhelming, D-I-Y can only do so much. A professional pest control company will typically have trained technicians who know where to inspect immediately for entry points and then create a plan to help begin combating the problem. Having established a plan of attack along with the proper tools to begin taking back control over a home is another way a professional pest control company can make a difference when it comes to rodent control. Whether exclusion or trapping, a professional pest control company will have multiple ways to assist with your infestation.
Rodents bring risks: Any damage rodents cause, whether a fire hazard from exposed wires, damaging a home’s insulation, or spreading disease in general, can be problematic for a homeowner
Businesses at risk, too: In addition to potentially contaminating inventory, if a customer spots a rodent inside a store, it takes just two seconds for a video of that rodent to go viral, which in turn can cause reputational harm for the business.
Our approach includes thorough inspections to identify entry points and nesting areas, customized treatment plans involving trapping exclusion techniques, and sanitation recommendations. Trapping is the safest and most effective method for controlling rats in and around homes and other structures. Because rats tend to avoid unfamiliar objects, it is often necessary to enlist the services of a local pest control professional when attempting to control an existing rat population. Professional long-term monitoring and exclusion strategies will help keep rodents at bay.
Peace of Mind for a Homeowner Goes a Long Way: While D-I-Y efforts can slow rodents down, professional pest control technicians can stop them completely.
In short, rodents are not waiting for Winter to make their move—they’re moving indoors now
The longer a homeowner waits to act on a potential rodent problem, the more likely the problem will multiply into a larger one. Schedule a free rodent inspection with Truly Nolen Pest Control today and keep your home safe, clean, and rodent-free this Autumn - call (866) 549-1727 or schedule your FREE pest inspection online today!