Why Mice and Rats are a Year-Round Problem on Long Island
When you think of rodent problems, you might imagine a cold winter night when mice sneak inside for warmth. The truth is, mice and rats are a year-round problem on Long Island, and they’re just as likely to invade your home in spring and summer, as they are when fall turns into the dead of winter.
For homeowners across Long Island, professional rodent control is essential no matter the season!
Why Rodents Are Always Active on Long Island
Long Island’s climate, with its mild winters, humid summers, and densely populated residential areas, makes it a prime environment for mice and rats. These opportunistic pests are experts at finding food, shelter, and water sources in suburban neighborhoods and even in more rural parts of the Island.
Here’s why rodents remain a threat every month of the year:
- Mild Winters: While temperatures dip, Long Island winters are often warm enough for rodents to remain active. They seek shelter in homes, garages, attics, and basements for warmth and food.
- Spring Nesting Season: In spring, rodents breed rapidly and look for safe, warm nesting spots. Your home’s insulation, stored items, and wall voids are ideal.
- Summer Foraging: Rats and mice will forage farther in warm months, and trash cans, pet food, and backyard grills make easy targets.
- Fall Invasion: As temperatures cool, rodents begin migrating indoors to build nests for the winter.
Signs You Have a Rodent Problem
Rodents are stealthy and often go undetected until the infestation grows. But there are warning signs that you shouldn’t ignore:
- Droppings in drawers, cabinets, or along baseboards
- Gnaw marks on wires, insulation, and food packaging
- Scurrying sounds in walls or ceilings, especially at night
- Nesting materials such as shredded paper, fabric, or insulation
- Unusual pet behavior, like barking at walls or fixating on a corner
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s time to call for professional rodent control on Long Island.
Why DIY Rodent Control Isn’t Enough
Snap traps and store-bought bait might seem like a quick fix, but they rarely solve the whole problem. Rodents reproduce rapidly, often outpacing amateur attempts to control them. A single female mouse can have 5–10 litters a year, with 5–6 babies per litter.
DIY solutions also don’t address how rodents are getting in. Without sealing entry points and eliminating attractants, you’ll continue to battle new intruders.
How Knockout Pest Control Knocks Out Rodents
At Knockout, we take a comprehensive approach to rodent control on Long Island. Our KO-12 Annual Pest Control Plan and standalone rodent services are designed to tackle rodents from every angle:
1. Full Property Inspection
We start by thoroughly inspecting your home—inside and out—for signs of rodents, including entry points, nests, droppings, and damage.
2. Targeted Treatment
Once we’ve identified the source of your rodent problem, we deploy safe, effective treatment methods tailored to your home. This may include baiting stations, traps, and sealing entry points.
3. Exclusion Work
Rodents can squeeze through openings as small as a dime. We identify and seal those gaps—around pipes, in foundations, near vents—to prevent them from getting back in.
4. Ongoing Monitoring
Rodents are persistent. That’s why we use monitoring tools to catch signs of activity early and keep you protected throughout the year.
5. Education and Prevention Tips
We work with you to reduce food and water sources, improve sanitation, and keep your property rodent-free long term.
Health and Property Risks from Rodents
Rodents are more than just a nuisance. They can cause:
- Fire hazards by chewing electrical wiring
- Water damage by gnawing on pipes
- Contaminated food and surfaces
- Diseases such as hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis
- Allergies and asthma triggered by droppings and dander
The risks to your home and health make it critical to act fast when you suspect a problem.
Protect Your Home Year-Round with Knockout Pest Control
Rodents don’t take a break, and neither should your pest control strategy. Whether you’re hearing scratching in the walls, finding droppings under the sink, or just want to take preventative steps, we’re here to help.
Schedule your rodent inspection with Knockout Pest Control today and protect your Long Island home year-round.
Call (800) 244-PEST or request an inspection online to get started.
