When temperatures drop in Maryland, you’re not the only one looking to stay warm—mice are too. At Brody Brothers Pest Control, we’ve seen it time and again—mice entering homes throughout Maryland and the Baltimore Metro Area in search of shelter. But how do mice get in your house, and how can you stop them? Here’s what you need to know to keep them out this winter.

For a more comprehensive guide on mice identification and control, visit our Mice Pest Identifier page.

How Do Mice Get Into Your House?

Mice are resourceful, squeezing through gaps as small as 1/4 inch. How do mice get in your house? They commonly enter through:

• Cracks in the Foundation: Small cracks are enough for mice to slip inside.
• Utility Line Openings: Gaps around water pipes, electrical wiring, and gas lines are perfect entry points.
• Attic and Roof Vents: Mice can climb and enter through roof vents, chimneys, or other small openings.

It’s crucial to inspect your home for any cracks or gaps and seal them before winter. For more about how mice behave and enter homes, read our Mice Pest Identifier.

Signs You Have Mice in Your House

Mice leave behind signs that they’ve made their way into your home. Here are the key indicators:

1. Mouse Droppings

Small, dark brown droppings near food sources, cabinets, or baseboards are a strong sign of mice in your house. Not sure if it’s mice or rats? Learn how to differentiate the two with our article on Mice vs. Rat Droppings.

2. Scratching Noises

If you hear scratching or scurrying noises at night, especially in walls or ceilings, mice are likely moving around in your home.

3. Nests

Mice create nests from materials like paper, fabric, or insulation. You’ll often find these hidden in attics, garages, or basements. Curious about how mice can damage your home? Check out our article on What Damage Mice Can Cause to Your House.

Why Do Mice Enter Homes in the Winter?

Mice don’t hibernate, so when it gets cold, they actively seek warm, sheltered spaces to nest. Why do mice come into your house every winter? Your home provides them with warmth, food, and protection from predators. Homes in Maryland are especially vulnerable during winter because of these conditions.

Once mice are inside, they tend to stay, breed, and look for food throughout the season. Without prevention, a few mice can quickly turn into a full infestation.

Want to learn more about how to get rid of rodents? Read our guide on The Best Way to Get Rid of Rodents.

How to Prevent Mice from Getting in Your House

Once you know how mice get in your house, you can take steps to prevent them. At Brody Brothers, we recommend the following:

1. Seal Entry Points

Check for cracks, gaps, or holes around your foundation, doors, windows, and attic. Use steel wool and caulk to seal them. Mice can chew through softer materials, but steel wool deters them. For more detailed prevention tips, check out our Ways to Prevent Mice from Entering Your Home.

2. Store Food Properly

Mice are always on the hunt for food. Store all food, including pet food, in sealed glass or metal containers to keep them out. Clean up crumbs and spills immediately, especially before bed.

3. Reduce Clutter

Cluttered spaces like attics and garages provide mice with excellent hiding spots. Keeping these areas organized makes your home less inviting.

4. Fix Water Leaks

Mice are attracted to water sources. Repair any leaky pipes or faucets, especially in winter when outdoor water is scarce.

What to Do If Mice Get in Your House

If you notice signs of mice in your home, here’s what you can do:

• Set Traps: Place traps where you’ve seen signs of activity, such as along walls or near food storage. If you prefer to release them, consider humane traps.
• Call a Professional: If you’re dealing with a larger infestation or need help, call the experts. At Brody Brothers Pest Control, we’ve been removing mice from homes across Maryland for years, and we can keep them from coming back.

Need help with rodent removal? Learn more about our Mouse Removal Services.

Conclusion

Understanding how mice get in your house is the first step to preventing an infestation. By sealing entry points, organizing your home, and properly storing food, you make it less attractive for mice. But if they do find a way in, Brody Brothers Pest Control is here to help with our proven methods and years of expertise. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a mouse-free home.

For a more comprehensive guide on mice prevention and control, visit our Mice Pest Identifier.

The post How Do Mice Get in Your House? Important Steps to Take in the Winter appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

Ants are a common nuisance for many Maryland homeowners because they can sting people, contaminate food, and damage wood. Once they’ve entered your home, they’re extremely hard to get rid of without a residential pest control expert – that’s why prevention is key!

These persistent and highly adaptable creatures can be a real headache, but don’t let them bug you (pun intended!).

Take a look at these 5 common ants in Maryland, and we’ll teach you some steps you can take to prevent them from entering your home:

Meet the 5 Most Common Types of Ants in Maryland

Here’s a quick guide to identifying and preventing some of the most common ant types in Maryland:

1. Acrobat Ants

You can easily recognize an acrobat ant – its unique, heart-shaped abdomen is a dead giveaway. These ants are small and tend to enter homes through cracks in the foundation and the small gaps around windows and doors.

When they enter your home, you might be unpleasantly surprised to find them in your food, contaminating it so that it is inedible. They also sting when threatened, so keep that in mind if you spot one.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent acrobat ants from invading your home:

• Use caulk to seal any openings around windows, doors, pipes, and utility entrances.
• Seal any cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
• Avoid leaving food and/or dirty dishes out in your kitchen, and store pet food properly.

2. Carpenter Ants

If you’re trying to identify carpenter ants in or around your home, ask yourself these questions:

• Do the ants have wings?
• Do the ants have a constricted waist?
• Are the ants black, red, or a combination of those colors?
• Do the ants have a one-node waist?
• Did you find the ants near or inside of wood (especially water-damaged wood)?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, there is a good chance you’ve spotted carpenter ants. You may also have carpenter ants if you hear a rustling sound inside the wooden structures of your home or if you find wood shavings on your floor mixed in with dead ants.

These ants build their nests inside of wood, tunneling and removing the wood along the way. Once they enter your home, they can contaminate both human food and pet food.

Here are a few steps you can take to keep carpenter ants out of your home:

• Because carpenter ants need moisture to survive, you can keep them away by replacing water-damaged wood in or around your home. Also, check your gutters to make sure that they are properly draining water away from your home.
• If you have firewood, be sure to store it as far from your home as possible.
• Trim any trees and/or bushes so that they do not come into contact with the walls of your home.

3. Odorous House Ants

These ants are tiny, typically measuring anywhere from 2.4mm to 3.3mm in length. They can be most easily identified by their signature scent – crush one, and you’ll notice that it emits a rotten coconut smell.

Odorous house ants are often the small ants in the kitchen area – they have a sweet tooth, so don’t leave sugary food within their reach, or it’s likely that they will contaminate it. You can also find them around your pet’s food and in your bathroom.

Here are a few more tips for preventing an odorous house ant infestation in your home:

• Get rid of any standing water.
• These ants build nests in stacks of wood, so keep any firewood stored far from your home.
• Seal any cracks or openings near the bottom of your home’s foundation.
• Make sure that plants and tree branches are cut so that they don’t touch your home.

4. Pavement Ants

You guessed it – these ants typically build their nests in or under cracks in pavement! They can also be found inside the home in walls and under floors.

You might be surprised to learn that they aren’t common throughout the entire United States – they’re only present in the eastern half, so they’re definitely a problem here in Maryland.

To identify pavement ants, look for a light brown to black ant – it will have legs that are lighter in color than the rest of its body. They’re quite harmless and don’t bite, but they can still contaminate your food and the food preparation surfaces in your home.

Here’s how you can help prevent pavement ants from entering your home:

• Clean up quickly any time you spill your food, a beverage, or your pet’s food, and keep your kitchen as clean as possible.
• Keep all of your food stored in sealed containers.re
• Seal up your foundation and any cracks around windows/doors.

5. Thief Ants

You can identify these ants by their size and color. They’re one of the tiniest household ants in the world, usually measuring from 1.5mm to 2.2mm in length, and they range in color from yellowish to brown.

And yes – they really are thieves! In fact, they’re called thief ants because they steal larvae and pupae from neighboring ant colonies. They have another nasty habit too – they sometimes feed on dead rodents, meaning they’ll contaminate your food if they come into contact with it.

Here’s how to stop thief ants from invading your home:

• First, make sure you’ve correctly identified the ants. Thief ants look similar to Pharaoh ants, and if you can’t tell them apart, you should contact your favorite residential pest control provider for help.
• Keep your kitchen and home clean. Make sure you don’t let food scraps and dirty dishes sit out for long periods of time.
• Make sure that any vegetation is kept away from your home’s foundation.

What to Do When Ants Invade

As you can see, prevention steps for most types of ants include similar tactics, like sealing up cracks in your home’s foundation and keeping your kitchen area clean.

However, even following these steps, you could still experience an ant infestation. When that happens, you may feel the urge to reach for insect spray. While that may provide a temporary solution, you’ll be disappointed to find the ants returning again before long.

If you really want to prevent ants from returning to your home, get in touch with the ant control team at Brody Brothers Pest Control.

Not only do we provide preventative pest control services – we also have over 40 years of experience helping people get ants out of their homes, and we’d love to help you next!

If ants have already invaded your home, our professionals will destroy every member of the ant colony, providing you with a permanent solution. We only use the highest quality products and proven treatments, and our solutions are safe for your home.

Ready to get rid of your ant problem for good? We offer a free inspection to assess your situation and develop a customized plan that works for you. Contact us today and experience the Brody Brothers’ difference!

Remember, you’re not alone in the fight against ants! We’re here to help you enjoy a pest-free Maryland home.

The post 5 Common Types of Ants in Maryland and How to Keep Them Out of Your Home appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

When it comes to unwelcome guests, few are as stealthy and unwelcome as mice. These tiny rodents can quietly infiltrate your living space, causing more than a startle. Recognizing the subtle signs of mice in your house is crucial for promptly addressing the infestation and preventing health risks and property damage.

7 Signs of a Mouse Infestation in Your House

1. Droppings Everywhere

One of the most obvious signs to tell if you have mice running around is if you notice droppings. Mouse droppings look like tiny, rod-shaped black pellets and are about the size of a grain of rice. Homeowners usually find them near food sources, in closets, cabinets, along baseboards, and other dark places. Inspect these areas in your home to see if you notice any droppings.

It’s essential to exercise caution and avoid direct contact, as mouse droppings can harbor harmful bacteria.

2. Foul Odor Lingering

You may smell a foul odor if there is a heavy mouse infestation or a nesting sight nearby. In addition to mice leaving little black droppings around the house, you may smell their urine. A mouse’s urine can be difficult to spot, but you’ll likely smell it. The urine’s smell can be pretty foul—almost like Ammonia. The source of an unexplained bad smell in your home could be several things, but one cause you should seriously consider is mice.

3. Scratching Sounds in the Night

House mice are nocturnal creatures, which means they’re most active at night. Pay attention to any scratching, scuffling, or pitter-patter sounds from the walls or ceilings once you turn off the lights. While mice are usually extremely quiet, this is one of the few instances you can hear them. These sounds could indicate mice are moving through your home, looking for food or nesting materials.

4. Grease Marks

Mice travel alongside walls, and because of this, they can leave marks on them. Mice become dirty due to how they travel. They have natural oils on their skin and fur, and they easily pick up grease on their fur. This grease that mice carry can then get on your wall as they run alongside it. A grease mark found on your wall from mice is usually small and black.

5. Nests

If you start to notice a collection of soft, various materials, you may have mice in your home. A mouse’s nest usually consists of what resources are available to them in your home. Mice seek out soft materials to make their nests, such as fabric, paper, string, or insulation. Their nests are often hidden in secluded places, such as behind appliances, within wall cavities, crawl spaces, or in attics.

6. Gnaw Marks

House mice have strong teeth and gnaw on various materials to keep them sharp. Mice love to nibble on human food, so if you find bags of cereal, pet food, or other pantry items with chew marks or tears, it’s a good indication that you have unwanted guests.

Look for gnaw marks on food packaging, furniture, wood, cardboard, plastic, or even electrical wires like phone chargers. These gnaw marks can damage your property and pose a fire hazard.

7. Odd Pet Behavior

Your pets are often the first to sense there’s something amiss in their territory. If your cat or dog is suddenly more alert, paws or sniffs at unusual places, or seems fixated on a particular area in your house, they might be onto the little critters. Trust your furry friend’s instincts; they could indicate signs of mice in your house that you haven’t detected yet.

Taking Action Against Rodent Intruders

If you notice any of these signs in your home and suspect a potential mouse infestation, don’t wait! Our professional mouse extermination services in Maryland are here to help. Our experienced team offers free inspections to assess the situation and provide quick, effective treatment.

Finding signs of mice in your house can be disheartening. Still, you can reclaim your space from these tiny intruders with vigilance and action. Watch for these sneaky signs and take appropriate measures to ensure your home remains mouse-free!

Remember, if you think you’ve got mice, never underestimate the problem—ensure you handle it promptly and humanely!

Don’t let mice take over your home – call us today at 410-653-2121 to schedule a tech visit. Take control of your home and ensure a pest-free environment.

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Ants are common insects that are found all throughout the United States, including here in Baltimore. Seeing a stray ant might make you wonder about a possible ant infestation. Although small, ants can cause a lot of damage to your home and property.

As a professional pest control company, we have seen our fair share of ant infestations in Baltimore. This is what you need to know and how to handle an infestation.

What Types of Ants Are in Maryland?

Did you know that there are more than 12,000 species of ants worldwide? Luckily, you won’t find all of these ants in Maryland.

There are 5 common types of ants in Maryland:

1. Acrobat ants: This is a heart-shaped ant that comes into your home through cracks. They can also enter through gaps around windows and doors. You might find them in your kitchen and will sting when threatened.
2. Carpenter ants: These are black and red ants with wings and found around wood. They seek out moist wood to chew through and build nests.
3. Odorous house ants: These are tiny and smell of rotten coconut when crushed. They love sugary food and will nest in stacks of firewood.
4. Pavement ants: These tiny ants are common in the eastern portion of the United States. They are light brown to black and don’t bite. They nest inside of pavement cracks or in your walls and floors.
5. Thief ants: These are one of the tiniest house ants in the world. They feed on dead rodents and will contaminate your food.

Now that you know the common ants of Maryland, let’s talk about the problems they cause.

What Problems Do Ants Cause?

Ants are tiny and appear harmless. However, there are some major potential issues you can find with an infestation.

• Nuisance: Imagine scrolling on your phone while sitting on your couch. You feel a tickle on your arm and look down. You find an ant crawling up your arm, and you instantly smack it away. This is one of the many annoying nuisances that ants bring inside the home.
• Food contamination: The probability of food contamination can vary depending on ant species. For example, odorous house ants will nest inside a pantry in your kitchen. These ants bring bacteria and can spread disease. Keep in mind that this species of ant feeds on dead insects and animals. The last thing you want is an odorous house ant near your food. 
• Property damage: Ants can also cause property damage that is costly to repair. Certain species of ants will chew their way through wood, such as old wood siding, decks, and fences. Unlike termites, they do not eat the wood but they use it to create nests and lay eggs. You’ll find signs of this if you discover a small and smooth hole inside the wood.

An ant infestation is quite a headache. But what exactly is considered an ant infestation?

What is Considered an Ant Infestation?

Finding one or two ants isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. However, it can be a hint that an ant infestation is happening in your yard or home.

When it comes to a full-blown ant infestation in Baltimore, you’ll find a large number of live ants within a small proximity. Unfortunately, the infestation can happen in the interior or exterior of your home.

If the ant infestation is outside of your home, you might locate it in areas that contain rotted wood. If someone dropped food outside and left it in the yard, ants can come in hoards.

For example, carpenter ants live in highly organized colonies. They have a queen and hundreds to thousands of worker ants. They love sweets, fats, and proteins. If you drop half an apple and leave it for squirrels, ants might come to feast on it instead.

If you discover an ant infestation, don’t panic. Professional pest control companies such as Brody Brothers can effectively remove the ants and their accompanying woes.

What Causes an Ant Infestation?

If you’re facing an ant infestation, it’s helpful to know the cause behind it.

In most cases, ants are attracted to a plentiful food source, such as:

• Sugary residues from spilled soda, fruit juice, or syrups
• Spilled food, food particles, or water/food residues
• Pet foods
• Open or insecure trash containers

To take advantage of the food source, the ants must first gain entry to your home. If your home isn’t completely sealed, it can lead to an infestation on the inside.

Remember that the food isn’t necessarily going to come from your kitchen. Ants can also find food that was left outside, leading to an infestation.

How to Handle an Ant Infestation

There are several approaches to handling ant infestations in Baltimore. However, know that controlling an ant infestation isn’t always a quick and simple fix.

• Sealing holes and cracks in the exterior: The entry can be done through small cracks in the foundation or siding, poorly-sealed doors, holes drilled for pipes, or any other small opening. Try caulking around gaps within the window and door frame.
• Removing leaves and debris from around the building: Neglecting that pile of old leaves and debris in your yard? It might be a nice and quiet nest for an ant colony.
• Cleaning the kitchen and dining room often: Make sure you sweep the floors often to ensure all crumbs are picked up. Wipe off the countertops each day for crumb removal. Furthermore, make sure your pantry is cleaned out and all food is sealed inside.
• Cleaning food spills quickly: If you spill food and drink, make sure you quickly clean it up. This is especially true for young children who are notorious for leaving food crumbs from snacks around the living room or kitchen.
• Keeping garbage and pet food containers sealed: Keep garbage containers tightly closed off. Consider removing pet food from its original container and put it in a large, air-tight Tupperware bin.

Taking these steps will eliminate the source of food for the ants, which can ultimately help control the infestation.

Make Your Own DIY Ant Repellent

Ants leave pheromone trails that attract other ants along with them. In the early stages of a possible infestation, you can make the following solution. This is best used when you find a small number of ants.

This is a very easy DIY ant repellent solution to make at home. All you need is dish soap, water, and a small spray bottle.

This solution kills the ants and cleans the surrounding area, which rids of the pheromones and scent trail. 

Antsy to Remove Those Ants? Call Brody Brothers

If you do discover an ant problem, it is not advisable to treat it yourself, as many consumer products can actually make the problem worse. If you have an ant problem in Baltimore or Montgomery County, Maryland or a surrounding area, contact the team at Brody Brothers today!

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Brody Brothers Pest Control wants YOU to wage war on bugs and pests!

When it comes to tackling the challenges of pest control, ex-military personnel have proven time and again that they are uniquely equipped to excel in our field.

Experiences in the armed forces instill qualities that translate seamlessly into the world of pest control, making veterans a valuable asset to this industry.

From infantry and servicemen to former military personnel, ex-army, marines, and other veterans, the skill- and mindset that a career in the service affords often aligns perfectly with the demands of pest control.

Transitioning to Civilian Life (Finding Purpose in Pest Control)

For former military personnel, transitioning to civilian life can be a daunting process. The structured environment, camaraderie, and sense of purpose experienced in the armed forces can leave a void upon returning to society and the life of a private citizen. However, a career in the pest control industry can provide a smooth and fulfilling transition, allowing veterans to channel their skills and values into a new purposeful role.

Continuation of Mission and Service

One of the key challenges veterans face when transitioning is finding a sense of purpose akin to what they experienced while performing active service. Joining the pest control industry offers a continuation of mission and service. Just as you tirelessly endeavored to safeguard your country, as a pest control technician you can protect homes and businesses from potential threats. This sense of responsibility and service can fill the void left by military service, giving veterans a renewed sense of purpose.

Work Ethic and Discipline

Military personnel are renowned for their unwavering work ethic and discipline, as well as their problem-solving abilities, leadership skills, and adaptability – all traits that align with the demands of pest control. Service men and women understand the importance of persistence and hard work in achieving objectives. In the pest control industry, where attention to detail and meticulous efforts are crucial, these qualities lead to outstanding results. Commitment to completing tasks efficiently and effectively, instilled during service, becomes a cornerstone of a tech’s success in pest control.

The Desire to Protect and Serve

The innate desire to defend is a driving force for military personnel. This same motivation that drove you during your military career can also be channeled into safeguarding homes and businesses from the threats posed by pests. A stalwart dedication to keeping others safe is a core value that mirrors the responsibilities of a pest control technician, whose sole duty is to protect our clients’ homes from relentless invaders.

Transitioning to a New Career

Finally, for military personnel who have served for four years but did not attend college, the pest control industry offers a promising avenue for a new career. At Brody Brothers Pest Control, our leadership team truly values the skills veterans bring to the table, including problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork. An ability to handle diverse challenges, honed during military service, positions you for future success.

What’s more, Brody Brothers offers new hires a chance to move up in rank just like they did in the military. As a growing company, our team is building additional levels within our organizational structure. We strongly believe in promoting from within, particularly for those individuals with the leadership skills and experience that military service imparts.

Brody Brothers Pest Control: Seeking Exceptional Talent

Brody Brothers has long recognized the potential of military personnel in pest control. Serving Baltimore, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, and Harford Counties in Maryland, we are actively seeking individuals with a military background to join our diverse and talented team. If you’re looking for a rewarding new mission with a crew of fun-loving pros who take no prisoners, apply online today!

The post What Happens When Military Personnel and Pest Control Join Forces appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

Most Common Types of Rodents in Maryland 

Although the term “rodent” can refer to several common Maryland animals, including squirrels, voles, and chipmunks, mice are the most common type of rodent that Fallston residents have to deal with — they’re small, quick, and can hide in tiny spaces. They’re also known to be very messy, leaving their droppings all over your home.

Rats are larger than mice and can be more difficult to get rid of. They are also known to be very destructive and can cause a lot of damage to your home, including chewing through wood and insulation. They also often chew through wires which can lead to the danger of fire in your home. 

As a local pest control company since 1984, we’ve seen first-hand the damage rodents can cause – and it’s not pretty. 

Your Fallston, MD, Home Is Attractive to Rodents 

As winter approaches, small animals like mice and rats will be forced to seek shelter from the cold. While some rodents build nests and burrows on their own, others may see your home as the perfect place to spend the winter. 

In order to prevent rodents from choosing to move in with you, here are some suggestions on how you can keep rodents out of your home in Fallston, MD: 

1. Inspect your home for gaps or holes that could serve as entry points for rodents, and seal them up with caulk or steel wool. 

2. Keep food stored in airtight containers and dispose of garbage, including cardboard boxes, regularly to avoid attracting rodents. 

3. Set traps baited with peanut butter, cheese, or other food items near where you’ve seen evidence of rodents.

4. Use poison to get rid of mice and rats, but be extremely careful about which products you buy and how you use and store them. 

If you have any questions about using poisons or over-the-counter DIY pest control solutions, contact Brody Brothers Pest Control. We’re always happy to help. 

5. Know when it’s time to call a Fallston pest control company to help get rid of rodents and keep them out of your home. 

Rodents Can Carry Dangerous Diseases 

If you have rodents in your Fallston home, it’s important to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Beyond making you feel uneasy knowing they’re around, they can also carry and transmit many harmful diseases. 

For example, simply coming into contact with tiny pebbles of rat feces can cause Salmonella. This can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, and can be fatal in some cases. 

Another common disease carried by rats and mice is Hantavirus. This virus affects your lungs and can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. It’s transmitted through the feces, urine, and saliva of rodents. 

So even if you never actually see a rodent in your home, what they leave behind can be very dangerous and make your family sick. 

Tips on How to Get Rid of Rodents

There are different ways to get rid of rodents, and the best method will vary depending on the type of problem you’re having. For example, if you have an infestation of mice, you may want to try using traps or poison baits. If you’re just dealing with a few rats in your attic or garage, however, sealing up entry points may be enough to keep them away. 

Identify Where the Rodents Are Entering Your Home

Believe it or not, mice can enter your home through a hole the size of a dime, and rats can enter through a hole the size of a quarter! That’s why it is important to seal any cracks and crevices around your home that provide access.

Once you identify them, you can use either caulk or steel wool to fill in any gaps that might be an entry point for rodents. If you’re searching for entry points during the winter, a good idea is to feel around doors and windows for cold air entering your home. 

Keep Food Stored in Airtight Containers

Rats and mice are attracted by smells and can chew through almost anything, including the boxes of food in your pantry, like cereal and crackers. Plus, they can slip through tiny holes (or chew their way in) to get into bags of birdseed or dog food. 

If you want to get rid of rodents and keep them away, it’s important to cut off their food supply. Storing food in airtight containers is one of the best ways to do this. It’s also important to keep your counters and floors free of crumbs. 

Another tip, especially during the holidays, is to not let those cardboard delivery boxes pile up around your home or in the garage. They provide a great nesting area for rodents. 

Set Traps With Food That Attracts Rodents

While you want to store food properly to keep rodents out of your kitchen, you can also use food to attract them to where you want them to go. One way to do this is by setting traps baited with food items like peanut butter or cheese near where you’ve seen evidence of rodent activity. 

The only downside to this method is that you have to deal with the results. Be sure to check the mice or rat traps regularly and take care of any caught rodents immediately. 

Using Poison to Get Rid of Rodents

There are a number of ways to use poison to get rid of rodents. One way is to purchase poison bait that is specifically designed to kill rats and mice. These baits are available at most hardware and home improvement stores. 

Another way to use poison to kill rats is to make your own poison bait. This can be done by mixing together equal parts of flour, sugar, and borax. The rats will be attracted to the sweet taste of the bait and will ingest the poison when they eat it.

However, anytime you use poisons you need to be extremely careful about where you use them and how you store them. Especially if you have small children or pets. 

Call Professional Pest Control Experts in Fallston, MD 

If you’ve already tried the above methods, or simply don’t want to mess with poisons and traps, it might be time to bring in professional pest control experts. And if you want to make sure you hire the best, Brody Brothers Pest Control is the #1 trusted local pest control company in Fallston, MD.

We’ve been serving the area for over 35 years and are experts in pest and rodent control. Having seen it all and fixed it all, our pest control services are proven effective and will solve your rat or mice problem in no time. Call us today at (410) 653-2121 for a free estimate on giving you back the peace of mind of knowing your family is safe and your home is rodent-free.

About Brody Brothers Pest Control in Fallston, MD 

Since 1984, Brody Brothers Pest Control has been one of the top pest control companies serving the Harford County area, including Fallston, MD. Our quality pest control services are performed by licensed pest control technicians. We can expertly take care of common pests, including termite control, ant control, extermination of bed bugs, prevention of mosquitoes, rodent control service, stinging insects, and cockroaches.   

For over three decades, local homeowners have trusted us to protect their families by providing pest control service that takes care of pest problems, including complex pest infestations. If you’re searching for Fallston pest control companies, Brody Brothers is the right pest control company to offer affordable pest solutions that simply work. We offer free estimates and same-day pest control service. Contact us today.  

The post The Best Way to Get Rid of Rodents appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

Unfortunately, there are more unwanted pests to come in the fall and winter that you should look out for.

With the dropping temperatures, critters and insects are in search of warm shelter where they can survive the fall and winter months. So, what does this mean for Montgomery County homeowners?

You should take preventative pest control measures to ensure your home is safe from these common fall and winter pests in Montgomery County, MD.

By the end of this article, you’ll know the most common pests to keep an eye out for during the winter and how to prevent them from entering your home. If they do pass your prevention methods, Brody Brothers has a guaranteed 100% effective pest control solution for you.

Rodents

Having mice or rats crawling in your walls is not only scary but can pose a threat to the health of you and your family. Often carrying contagious diseases, wild rodents should never be welcome in your home.

During the Maryland winter, mice and rats will come into your home to nibble on food on your counters and embrace the warmth from your heating.

To identify if you have rodents in your home, you may notice droppings on the counters, hear scratching within the walls, and even smell ammonia.

How to Prevent Rodents

Rodents, especially mice, can squeeze into very small cracks to enter your home. Before the weather becomes too cold, inspect your home for any potential openings.

Food and scraps also attract rodents, so you’ll want to store food properly in covered containers. This includes pet food.

Spiders

These eight-legged arachnids usually are not harmful to humans, but they definitely are not pretty to look at in your home. Just like rats and mice, spiders need a warm place to live through the winter months.

So, they crawl into your home and build a spiderweb in the corner of your basement or garage, and await other insects to feast on. While spiders do assist in getting rid of some pests, it doesn’t mean you want them as a roommate. 

How to Prevent Spiders

The best way to prevent spiders is to seal up cracks in windows and doors and get rid of any pests that they may prey on that are living in your home. However, if you already find spiders in your home, clean up any cobwebs and make sure they don’t feel comfortable. 

Stink Bugs

A very common fall and winter pest in Montgomery County are stink bugs. 

Originating in Asia, the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) invaded North America in the 1990s when it hopped on board a shipping container.

The good news is that stink bugs are harmless. The bad news is that they carry an odor and move in large swarms.

If you see one in your home, then there’s a likely chance there are many others crawling around.

How to Prevent Stink Bugs

The easiest way to prevent stink bugs from entering your home during the fall and winter is to ensure there are no spaces or cracks between your doors and windows. Keep screens on your windows if you tend to leave them open during the sunnier days, too.

It’s also important to keep the plants in and around your house trimmed, as stink bugs are attracted to the sap.

Cockroaches

Unfortunately, cockroaches aren’t solely confined to infesting apartments in large cities. They are also common fall and winter pests in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Cockroaches aren’t just ugly to see, but they can also carry harmful diseases. Children are also prone to asthma attacks and allergies when cockroaches are infesting the area.

You will often find them in places where water and food are available, such as garages, basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.

How to Prevent Cockroaches

Preventing cockroaches from coming into your home is simple, but not always easy. The key is to keep your home free from open sources of food, water buildup from leaking faucets or clogged drains, and take out the trash often.

Box Elder Bugs

Box elder bugs are more of an unsightly annoyance than anything else. These pests will crawl into your home and take advantage of its warmth, but they are harmless and do not carry diseases.

You will mostly notice them gathering in your garage or laying in the sun either on the side of your house or in your home to keep warm.

We recommend not squishing them as they also have a strong odor that can attract other box elder bugs into your home.

How to Prevent Box Elder Bugs

The most effective way to prevent box elder bugs from entering your home is by sealing cracks in your windows, doors, or screens. Avoiding female boxelder trees is also a good idea because they attract these bugs to the area.

Ladybugs

While cute and harmless to humans, ladybugs often travel in swarms and can be a nuisance when they infest your home. You’ll notice them mostly on your walls or window screens.

Ladybugs are also poisonous to small animals and pets. They will leave behind a yellow secretion if frightened, which can be harmful if ingested by other animals.

How to Prevent Ladybugs

To keep ladybugs from entering your home this winter, try placing cloves and bay leaves around the premises. These herbs tend to repulse ladybugs and keep them away.

However, ladybugs are attracted to the pollen from plants like cilantro, dill, angelica, and scented geraniums. So, if you have these growing close to your home, they may attract more ladybugs. 

The Ultimate Fall and Winter Pest Prevention Solution

If you are concerned about pests like mice and rats entering your Montgomery County home this fall and winter, then you may want to call in professional Montgomery County pest control experts.

Brody Brothers Pest Control has served the area for more than 30 years with expert local knowledge and integrated pest control management solutions in Montgomery County. 

With our popular quarterly Home Protection Plan, you can make sure your home stays pest-free all year round. If a critter does bypass our methods, we’ll come out and fix the problem for free. 

Request a quote and see how you can keep your home pest-free this fall and winter!

The post Rats, Spiders, and Roaches: Common Fall Winter Pests in Montgomery County, MD appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

Having rodents in your home can cause you to feel dirty and frightened. You want to protect yourself and your family at all costs, which includes keeping them safe from dangerous rats and mice.

Fortunately, there are multiple ways that you can keep your home rodent-free this winter. By the end of this article, you’ll know the best expert pest control tips to keep mice and rats from invading your home.

The Dangers and Risks of Rodents in the House

While people may choose to keep mice and rats as house pets, when found in the wild, they can pose many dangers and risks to you and your family. As they live in dirty conditions and are prone to carrying diseases, they can be dangerous to have in your home.

From contaminating your food to leaving waste in your pantry, having rodents in your home increases the chance of contracting a dangerous disease. In fact, it was rats that caused the fatal Black Plague in the Middle Ages.

Some of the most common diseases rodents carry nowadays include:

• Monkeypox
• Rat-Bite Fever
• Salmonellosis
• Sylvatic Typhus
• Lassa Fever
• Leptospirosis
• Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)

One of the best ways to keep your family safe from these diseases is by preventing rodents from getting into your home.

How to Keep Your Home Rodent-Free

Fortunately, keeping your home rodent-free can be fairly easy! There aren’t a ton of special treatments or major lifestyle changes that you need to make to do so.

Clean Up the Crumbs to Avoid Rodents

The number one thing mice and rats search for is food. If you have crumbs or food left uncovered on your counter, it’s an open invitation to finding rat or mouse droppings in your kitchen the next day.

After dinner, make sure to wash the counters well and get rid of any crumbs that may have been left behind. Avoid keeping plates or bowls containing food, especially baked goods, uncovered too. Always put them in a container or cover them with tin foil or plastic wrap.

Cover the Pet Food from Rats and Mice 

Human food or dog food, it makes no difference to a rodent. Food is food!

If you have a cat or dog, make sure to properly store their dry food, so it doesn’t attract rats or mice. Instead of keeping it in the paper packaging you purchase it in, store it in a sealed plastic container. Paper is easy for rodents to chew through and doesn’t mask the smell.

In the case your pet doesn’t finish their food and leaves some in the bowl, avoid letting it sit there overnight. Instead, cover it or put it back into the container.

Keep Trash in Bins to Keep Rodents Away

When you take out the trash, make sure to put the bag in a large sealed bin. Leaving trash bags on the ground piling up is just asking for rodents to come and infest your home.

If you’re throwing out food scraps, rodents will surely sniff it out and tear through the plastic bags without hesitation if left outside.

Check for Rodent Entry Points

Mice can compress their bodies to be extremely flat so that they can slide through small cracks and crevices. These include holes in your windows, doors, siding, and other entryways into your home.

Before the cold weather sets in, do a routine check of your home for these potential rodent entry points and seal them accordingly, especially if they measure ¼ of an inch or larger.

You can use caulking, steel wool, perforated metal, cement mortar, and weather stripping to securely seal these entry points.

Reduce Clutter

One of the best and easiest ways to keep your home rodent-free is to reduce clutter and keep your home clean. If you have piles of paper, cardboard boxes, or even wood piles in the backyard, these can attract rodents to use as shelter.

Avoid Storing Items in Cardboard

Mice and rats are attracted to paper and cardboard, mostly because it’s easy for them to chew through. They can make a home for themselves here.

So, when you’re packing away holiday decorations or seasonal clothing, try to use plastic containers and bins and avoid cardboard. Not only will this prevent rodents, but you’ll better protect your belongings while they’re in storage.

Quarterly Pest Control Services

It’s always a good idea to have routine pest control inspections of your home throughout the year. With each season, you should have a professional exterminator come out and examine your property for potential infestations.

Brody Brothers Pest Control offers quarterly pest control with their Home Protection Plan for residents in Maryland.

Our team of certified pest control professionals will inspect your home for current infestations and prevent possible infestations. If we see entry points where rodents can squeeze through (maybe some you overlooked), we’ll seal them up quickly.

If for any reason these critters get by our firm prevention, you’ll get our pest control services absolutely free. With Brody Brother’s Home Protection Plan, we guarantee your home is rodent-free.

Get Rid of Rodents with Brody Brothers Pest Control

Don’t worry if you’re too late with your preventative efforts and already have some rats or mice scurrying in your walls or on your countertops. Brody Brothers Pest Control can take care of your rodent problem in no time with safe and effective extermination methods.

Protect your home and family, and get rid of those unwanted furry guests once and for all.

Call Brody Brothers for a free price estimate today!

The post Expert Tips to Keep Your Home Rodent-Free This Winter appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.

Now you go into full panic mode with your rubber cleaning gloves, disinfectant, and a wad of paper towels in hand, ready to dispose of these droppings and claim your kitchen counters from these tiny invaders.

You’re left thinking, though, are those mice or rat droppings in my kitchen?

It’s essential to know the difference between which species are infesting your beloved home. By the end of this article, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to help you determine which rodent has been scurrying across your counters and gnawing at your food.

Why It’s Important to Tell the Difference Between Mice and Rats

After discovering these droppings, your job is now to determine whether or not they came from a rat or a mouse.

Before you even think about how you will go about exterminating these rodents to get them out of your home, you must identify which one you’re dealing with.

While mice and rats are from the same order, Rodentia, they are very different, especially when it comes to tactics for getting rid of them.

Mice vs. Rats

To effectively get rid of rodents from your home, you must first determine whether you are targeting mice or rats.

Below are five main differences you can use to identify whether you have mice or rats roaming freely in your home.

1. Appearance

Mice are small in size, weighing between 0.5 ounces and 3 ounces. They have round bodies with triangle-shaped noses and large ears. They may also have black beady eyes.

Their fur is smooth and either brown or gray in color. One distinguishing feature of mice is their tail. They are thin and covered in fur.

Rats are larger in size, weighing between 12 ounces and 1.5 pounds. They have large heads, small ears, and round eyes. Their fur is coarse and either gray, white, or brown.

Their tails are much longer and thicker than mice, with a scaly texture and no fur on them.

2. Habitat

Mice are more likely to live in rural areas in the eastern and midwest regions of the United States. They prefer to find shelter in warm houses, under decks, garages, and sometimes under trees in the yard.

Rats are more often found in urban areas in the eastern and mid-west regions of the country. You’ll likely find them living in attics, basements, within walls, and even in sewers when they can’t find a house or building to infest.

3. Droppings

Now we have the answer to your initial question after finding droppings on your kitchen counter. 

Mouse droppings are short, measuring about 1/4^th of an inch. They look like small black grains of rice, and you’ll often find around a hundred droppings at a time.

Rat droppings are shaped like elongated ovals and measure about 3/4^th of an inch. There won’t be as many droppings, maybe between 20 and 50, at a time compared to mice.

4. Diet

The reason rats and mice invade your Takoma Park home is to find shelter and food to eat for survival. However, their diets do have some differences between them.

Mice prefer specific types of food, including bread, crumbs, seeds, fruit, meat, and plants. So, if you notice little nibbles in these types of food, you may have a mouse in your house.

Rats are known to eat just about anything. You can probably picture a rat scurrying through dumpsters in search of rotting food to munch on.

5. Hazards

Both rodents pose a hazard to you and your family when they infest your home. However, there are other concerns beyond diseases that rodents carry, such as Hantavirus, West Nile virus, and Lassa Fever.

Rats tend to be more aggressive than mice. When agitated, they could bite humans and cause Rat Bite Fever. They are so aggressive that mice are often afraid of rats. This is mostly due to the fact that rats have been known to kill and eat mice.

The fur from mice and rats may also cause allergic reactions and make it difficult to breathe in your home too.

If you suspect you have mice or rats hiding in your Takoma Park, MD home, it’s important to act quickly and get rid of them as soon as you can.

How to Prevent Mice and Rats in Your Home

The number one way to prevent mice or rats from coming into your home is to ensure you keep your space clean. Don’t leave open garbage cans or trash bags around. Avoid leaving uncovered food on the counters, and wipe away any crumbs that may be left in the kitchen.

Piles of paper or cardboard boxes are also known to attract mice and rats. In the autumn, clean up any piles of leaves you may have in your yard too.

It’s always a good idea to have routine inspections of your home by professional exterminators to check for potential infestations you weren’t aware of or cracks and openings these rodents may fit through.

Mice or Rats in Your Home? Call Brody Brothers Pest Control

Do you suspect that you are sheltering an infestation of mice or rats in your beloved home in Takoma Park, Maryland? Then call the extermination company known for their effective rodent raids, Brody Brothers Pest Control.

Serving the area for over three decades, Brody Brothers’ professionally licensed and trained pest exterminators are ready to help you reclaim your home once and for all. Using the most modern and safest extermination methods, we guarantee a pest-free home.

Schedule your no-obligation consultation and see how we can help you get rid of unwanted mice and rats today!

The post Are Those Mice or Rat Droppings in My Kitchen? 5 Important Differences Between the Rodents appeared first on Brody Brothers Pest Control in Baltimore.