Sleeping With The Enemy?

Struggling to get rid of bed bugs?

Bed bugs are very good at hiding in the tiniest places, and most people have no idea they have them until they get bit. Gladhill Services listens to their customers concern, so we have put together a few easy do-it-yourself bed bug treatment options to help prevent and eliminate bed bugs from your home. Since bed bugs are active during the night and rarely seen by people, prevention is the best measure when dealing with these pests. However, if you do suspect bed bugs in your home, here are a few treatment options to help reduce bed bugs  until a professional arrives.

Quick Bed Bug Facts

• Bed bugs are blood-feeding pests that have made quite the resurgence in recent years.
• The more you know about bed bugs, the better your chances are of avoiding them.
• As their name warns, these pests live, feed and breed where you sleep.
• Bed bugs can go without food for more than six months.
• Bed bugs are difficult to eliminate without the help of a pest professional.

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USING HEAT AND WATER
If you notice insect bites on your arms, face, back, neck or other areas of your body upon waking in the morning continue reading. If you find dark reddish to black spots  on your mattress you should consider bed bugs in your home. If any of these signs are present do not wait another day! Wash all bedding including sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and throws immediately. Wash all items in hot water at a temperature of no less than 120 degrees. Bed bugs can't survive a dryer cycle on high heat, so be sure to dry all linens, after washing, on high heat for more than 30 minutes. Always check laundry instructions on your linens being mindful as not to damage them . An all important step in this process is to be sure that your bedding and linens are brought to and from the laundry room in a dedicated hamper or basket. This will help prevent bed bugs from spreading into other parts of the home.

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USING YOUR VACUUM AND ELBOW GREASE
Vacuum with a crack and crevice tip on your mattress, bed frame, along your baseboards and don't forget the headboard. Thoroughly vacuum any and all crevices where bed bugs, their eggs and young could hide during the day. This includes the insides of dresser drawers and night stands. Pull off wall hangings and be sure to vacuum the frames well. Discard the vacuum bag outside in the trash immediately following this process. Place your box springs and mattress in special bed bug encasements. If unsure about these then call Gladhill Services about mesh covers specifically designed to kill bed bugs for up to two years. These new covers not only prevent bed bugs from being able to hide in your mattress, they will continue to effectively eliminate them for up to two years. Finally, scrub down all hard surfaces like your headboard, bed frames, baseboards, floors and the inside and outsides of chests and drawers. Do this with a brush or disposable rag you can discard immediately after use. Soapy water, hydrogen peroxide mixed in water and tea tree oil diluted in water are safe and extremely effective in sanitizing surfaces. But, as with any cleaning solution always check the label as not to damage any surfaces. 

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USING YOUR MIND AND WIT
Like fleas and ticks, bed bugs do not live on their hosts. Bed bugs prefer feeding on humans, however, cats and dogs are susceptible hosts to bed bugs as well. At times, our pets may be responsible for bringing them into our homes. Pet bedding, stuffed animals, pet toys and cardboard boxes can harbor bed bugs even after professional treatments. If you are unable to discard these types of things then, you should treat them as you would the bedding, furniture and other personal items by laundering them. It's good to begin treating bed bugs like bacteria in one sense. While protecting you and your family, help protect the spread of bed bugs in your community by sealing any items you may discard in plastic or another suitable type of wrapping material. Thick trash bags work well when tied tightly and immediately thrown out into a dumpster or trash can. In accordance with the law in certain states, mattresses must be sealed when discarded. When you take these preventive measures be aware that there are species of bed bug that live in proximity to mammals and animals such as bats, swallows and owls. If you have a pest issue with birds nesting near your home, or bats in your attic, it's best to consider humane and professional options for the control of these animals too when eliminating and preventing bed bugs. 

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CALL A PROFESSIONAL
Even after you have done all this, bed bugs may still be present. Sometimes bed bugs continue entering your home on a regular basis simply due to a child, pet or friend. Your partner may travel for work so, understand you may have done your very best and still lost the battle in prevention but, never lose hope. Professionals deal with bed bugs everyday. They have special products, tips, and years of experience to help when your peace of mind has been lost. The easiest way to prevent and eliminate bed bugs is to contact a professional like Gladhill Services. A local pest professional will be able to assess your situation and begin eliminating bed bugs where they live and breed. A professional bed bug technician from Gladhill Services will give you peace of mind eliminating bed bugs in your home with as little disruption to your life as possible. Call us, and let us bring you some peace of mind. 

Dangerous Household Pests

Some pests are a genuine cause for concern because they each have the potential to harm you and your family and pets!

Allergies

Cockroach feces, saliva, and shed skin degrade into a dust over time becoming a common trigger for allergies in both adults and kids. Cockroaches can cause an allergic reaction resulting in sneezing, itchy eyes, and possibly severe asthma attacks. Mold inside the home is another known trigger for people living with asthma and other respiratory issues. 

Asthma

Mold, dander, dust mites, tobacco smoke, and cockroaches are indoor allergens. Cockroaches cause sensitive individuals to suffer asthma attacks. Infants exposed to cockroach infestations are more likely to remain sensitive throughout their lives. Children and adults who suffer from asthma may experience their condition worsen with repeated exposure.

Diseases

Flies, mold, cockroaches, and rodents all place your health at risk causing illnesses. Headaches, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain from contaminate food sources are risk factors that should not be taken lightly. Mosquitos and ticks are vectors for serious health risks like West Nile, Malaria, Zika virus, Lyme disease and more. 

Getting stung by a wasp, bee, hornet, or yellow jacket may cause pain and other serious health outcomes for some. 

Droppings cause allergic reactions, as well as diseases.  Rodent urine and feces can damage and contaminate food with bacteria.

Pigeons become a danger to our health when they begin nesting in and around buildings. Their feces is can create breathing hazards as it piles up.

Cockroaches are known to spread more than 30 types of bacteria. Evidence supports them triggerring Asthma attacks.  Roach droppings, saliva and shed skin contain proteins that can cause allergic reactions for both adults and kids.

With the presence of West Nile, Malaria and Zika, Mosquitoes area serious health threat.  Mosquitos cause allergic reactions from bites cause itchy, inflamed marks on the body.  When scratched, mosquito bites become even more irritated.

Ticks carry lyme disease transmitting the disease through biting.  If you're bitten by a Tick with Lyme disease, you may experience flu-like symptoms.  A rash around the bite can also form along with fatigue.  Ticks are a risk.

Fleas will bite you too, and not just your pets.  Fleas can cause mild to severe skin irritations that worsen when scratched. 

Bed bugs feed on human blood. Their bites can cause mild to severe irritation and when itched may worsen or lead to secondary infection.

DIY Winter Pest Proofing

As the cold and bitter air of winter draws nearer and as the temperatures begin dropping, rodents like mice and rats head indoors in search of food and shelter. Other pests begin migrating inside as well as they too seek out warmth along with a peaceful place to overwinter. If you’re not careful, your home could easily end up becoming a natural resource for nature! The good news is you don’t have to stand helpless while rodents and other pests silently check in to your home for the winter.

STEP ONE:   MAINTAIN LAWN & LANDSCAPE

While you might be wondering just how maintaining your lawn and landscape is helpful towards pest-proofing your home for the winter, know that rodents and other household pests begin their life cycles outside. If your lawn is full of overgrown vegitation and debris pests will thrive in their natural environment before making their way inside your house for the winter. When pest-proofing your home for the winter, start in September by doing the following:

• Clear your lawn and landscape of leaves, clippings, and other debris
• Eliminate standing water and garden remnant
• Check for rodent burrows around your foundatio

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STEP TWO:   CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN & SECURE THE GARBAGE

The majority of household pests end up in the kitchen due to water and food being readily available. One of the best ways to keep pests out of your home and especially out of your kitchen is to make food less available to them. Sometimes a simple cleaning of cabinets and counter tops isn't enough... This means:

• Securely place food in airtight containers and store them in the fridge or cabinets.
• Don’t leave fresh foods and produce on your counters or tabletops over night.
• Clean out your pet’s bowls each nigh, and take them off the floor when they are near a door.

Pests and rodents will take any type of food they can get, even your leftovers from three days ago! To help reduce the number of pests in and around your home make sure you secure your garbage every day, and remove it from inside the home on a regular basis. If you leave a bag full of trash near the perimeter of your house you’re simply asking rodents and other pests to come inside for the winter - or, any other time of the year. If possible, raise your garbage containers off the ground to discourage rodents from easily climbing up and into them. 

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STEP THREE:    REPAIR ENTRY POINTS IN YOUR HOME

The last professional tip, and most likely the best way to begin pest-proofing your home for the winter is to ensure pests are unable to find their way inside. When nighttime temperatures begin falling it's best to take some time checking the interior walls of your basement or crawl space, and around the exterior of your home looking for entry points. Entry points are considered tiny to large openings, such as a crack, in the foundation or base of a house that rodents and other pests can crawl into gaining access to the interior of structures. Specific areas to check when searching for entry points are as follows:

• Laundry vents
• Utility meters
• Foundation cracks
• Crawl spaces and attics

It's a good idea to install a floor sweep or other type of professional weather stripping for under doors. This will eliminate your doorways as an entry point while helping to keep warm air inside and the cool air out. 

Pest Prevention Guide 2018

Once again, we can all say "so long" to old man winter, hang up our heavy coats, and place the knit hats and gloves on the top shelf. It's now time to say "HELLO" to sitting outside, cooking on the grill, and watching brilliant sunsets. But, we cannot forget about the mosquitos, ticks, fleas, midges, flies, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, and... the list goes on. 

Fall and winter is prime time for mice and rats, while spring and summer are synonymous with insects that bite and sting.

Throughout the months of spring and summer insects become highly active. While we can also enjoy being outdoors with them understand there are times when humans and bugs cross paths. Without a doubt, insects have their time and purpose in our world and serve important roles but, when we cross paths with them there may be risks. Bees, hornets, yellow jackets, and wasps may sting in defense. Ants may ruin a picnic. Ticks, like mosquitos, may possibly transmit a disease to you or a pet.

Spring & Summer Insects to Look Out For

Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Ticks, Mosquitos, Ants, Spiders, and Flies

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Kitchen Cabinets, and Pantry

Spring is the best time to hit the kitchen cabinets and pantry for prevention. Pull out everything from inside your cabinets and drawers then, wipe down the surfaces of shelves including the inner sides of your drawers. Get rid of an type of shelf liners. Throw out any expired herbs, spices, or ingredients such as flour and grains that may introduce stored product pests into your home. While empty, inspect the backs of cabinets or pantries for entry points that pests might use. These areas include tiny cracks, holes and crevices. During the warmer months, insects like ants and cockroaches are adapted to finding food sources through them. And finally, pull out appliances, wipe surfaces and vacuum behind them. Looking for signs of pests or possible entry points for them, cleaning surfaces and getting food debris out is the best prevention in preparing for the upcoming warmer months.

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Faucets & Water Sources

All insects, no matter what time of year, seek out a source of moisture. Water, even the tiniest amount is enough for any insect therefore, moisture is a major attraction for all pests such as roaches, spiders, and ants. Check all of your bathroom and kitchen faucets to ensure no leaks are present. Repair leaky faucets, loose floor tiles, and areas where caulking is stained, damaged or mildewed. Two main areas of concern with caulk are around toilets and tubs. Be sure to look underneath your sink cabinets for any signs of moisture damage. If any of these places have damaged or mildewed caulk or wood caused by moisture, you may need to call a plumber. If mold or mildew is found you should get a mold inspection to prevent further issues to you and your family's health.

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Closets, Attics, Garages

Professionals in the industry live and work by one simple rule and that is - The more clutter you have, the more opportunity for pests. Simple right? During spring and summer months your odds significantly increase for spiders, ants, wasps, earwigs, termites, silverfish, fleas, various mites, ticks and mosquitos to inhabit areas inside and out of your home. Cleaning out your closets, attics, garages, or wherever you have stored items or boxes is yet another major step in preventing spring and summer pests from invading your home. Eliminating mass clutter will ultimately reduce considerable opportunities for common pests to infest your home. Follow this same professional rule in the garden. As you will soon read, piles of rock, wood and other landscape material create habitats for all insects. More threatening at times, snakes, skunks, squirrels, and other wildlife may migrate into your property seeking out homes in these materials, and with potentially harmful risks. 

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Doors and Windows

Damaged screens in windows and doors may be unnoticed during the winter. It's now warming up outside so it's time to check up and clean your screens. Inspect  all your windows and doors thoroughly for damaged screens, replacing any screens that have holes before it's too late. Check the spline of frames and the seals around your doors too. While going around checking your windows and doors it's a good idea to check for any damage to your foundation. Damage to your foundation can happen during the winter months and go unnoticed as well. A  hole the size of a dime is large enough for a mouse to come through next fall, and cockroaches along with most insects can fit through the tiniest of cracks so seal any cracks you might find. 

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Standing Water

Especially mosquitos, standing water is a breeding ground for insects! During the winter, water may collect in low spots around your home or garden. Bowls, buckets, toys, and play equipment like sandboxes may have standing water. Downspouts may also be an area for water to pool. Remove or repair any areas of standing water as these will become a harborage for any and all insects. Fill in low level areas and holes. Reset or reposition outdoor play equipment to eliminate this problem permanently. With mosquitos being a
major risk to our health, standing water is probably the most important of all steps to take in pest prevention during spring and summer months. 

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Deteriorating Wood

Rotted or damaged roofing materials and fascia may act as a point of entry for certain insects. Check around your doors and windows, your deck and patio, the skirting of your home, and other areas where wood might need replacing. Carpenter bees, wasps, ants, spiders, silverfish, centipedes and many other insects love these areas with wood being prime habitats. Birds, while most of us may enjoy watching them, they may create an unhealthy scenario around your home.

Once you have completed these 6 steps to Spring & Summer Pest Prevention you’re ready to begin enjoying your summer! We never said it would be easy. We certainly didn't say it would be quick or easy for that matter. But, if you begin following this guide as the forsythia blooms yellow then in no time at all you can have peace of mind. Not only will this guide give you the knowledge to keep your home pest-free, it will also help you maintain your property value. If you may have discovered evidence of a major pest issue contact Gladhill Services, as we can help you take care of any pest issue.

Get Rid Of Mice Like A Boss

The successful elimination of a house mouse or mice begins with your choice of approach. Getting rid of a house mouse can be as simple as making a call to a pest professional but,  if you feel you have what it takes to confront what many fear then, keep reading. In general, mice are harmless alone but, they can bite, they can spread some disease, and, they can certainly make a mess of things inside the home with their urine and feces, especially when near foods you may have in the pantry. 

When it comes to mice invading your home, you have three choices. You can:
1) learn how to catch a mouse,
2) learn how to kill a mouse, or
3) learn how to prevent them from entering your house to begin with. 

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1. Rodent Proofing 101

Rodent-proofing your home is the most effective way to get rid of a house mouse or prevent the infestation of mice in your home. The easiest way to avoid mice in your home is by eliminating the areas they enter. Without a trained eye, this may prove to be difficult at times since mice have the ability to squeeze into tiny cracks no more than a quarter inch in size. In other words, if you can fit a pencil in it, a mouse can get through it. The majority of these entry points are found around the exterior of the home at or near ground level.

Sealing these small cracks in the foundation and block portions of your home will prevent mice from getting inside as the temperatures begin cooling. Openings in the ground level of your home, as well as basement walls are good areas to inspect, especially where utility pipes and ventilation are installed. Steel wool works very well in these areas. Simply take a screw driver and begin pushing pieces of the steel wool inside until the hole or crack is full. Unless you want the mice to come back, avoid using rubber, plastic, caulking, or even wood plugs because mice will chew their way right through. Install a weather strip on your doors and seal any window gaps to help. 

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2. Baiting 101

Now, if you feel that your home is sealed tightly yet, you still suspect a mouse or two inside there are other ways to go about the elimination process. Be it a single house mouse or multiple mice you can use some type of food product for bait. The traditional foods such as chocolate, peanut butter, bacon, or oatmeal works fine. When you're ready to begin baiting, you will need a standard snap trap. In order to be effective, you'll need to secure the bait to the trigger pad of the snap trap. This may be done with dental floss or even fishing line. If you do not secure the bait to the trigger pad of the trap chances are your mouse will get a free snack and run off into the night freely escaping the death that surely awaited it.

You can easily place peanut butter on the trigger pad as the mouse will need time to get it all in his or her belly - just enough time to get nailed by your trap. It's ok because most people feel the snap trap is humane as the mice never truly knew what hit them. Obviously, this is the general opinion of people. We haven't heard anything from the local mice to date. 

You can purchase sealed packets of pellets or granules of poison to place in areas of mouse activity. The mice find the bait, eat it then, die in the shadows more often than not. There are even weighted containers you can place bait in around the exterior of homes to eliminate mice and other rodent issues. These are typically left in the hands of professionals with experience and reserved for places routinely hit with rodent activity though. 

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3. Trapping Like A Champ

The best way to get rid of mice in an ongoing infestation is with traps. There are several types of traps sold on the market for this purpose - some work well while others are just not worth a dime. The best part of traps is that they are non-toxic, they kill the mouse instantly instead of poisoning, and once caught they are easily disposed of before they begin rotting and smell. The classic wooden snap traps work well, but keep in mind that most people do not like the mess they can make. Baiting the trigger pads can be difficult as well.

Glue boards are another non-toxic and environmentally friendly way to catch mice and other rodents. Glue boards are simply a small to large piece of cardboard with one side full of a thick gel-like glue. While many people feel this is not as humane as a snap trap, glue boards are easily placed, silent, do not make a mess of blood and other possible rodent fluids, and do allow for easy disposal of mice. Tin Cats are a metal box with a one-way door installed for mice to enter only. Once inside these traps, a mouse cannot get out. They do not require any kill or baiting at all. When you find a mouse in the trap you simply set it free outside as it will come back in later. So, you can see how effective they are at times. Again, experienced pest professionals know how to handle and eliminate mice caught in these types of traps. Not very advisable for the home owner who doesn't like killing small rodents. 

4. Think Like A Mouse

If you haven't decided to call a professional or begin excluding entry points in the home let us back up and understand that mice are a form of wildlife. When temperatures drop to freezing they seek out food and shelter just as any animal or person would do. It just happens that the heat, light and food you have inside your house appeals to them. Can you blame them? Their small size and natural abilities to adapt make them a popular pest especially during the winter months. Sealing any possible entry points is key to successfully eliminating, ridding or ending any type of rodent issue. Baiting with snap traps does end a mouse problem quickly if done correctly. If done wrong... well... the problem doesn't get any better and at times, may get worse with a female mouse inside. 

During the warmer months it's a good idea to keep your lawn and landscape maintained by removing debris and lawn refuse. Move your compost pile far away from the house and any piles of leaf or lawn clippings. Keep your weeds to a minimum and fill in any burrows that might be visible to your eye. This discourages rodents from coming back. Replacing your mulch with gravel also helps discourage mice from entering around the foundation when cooler temps follow. Try elevating your garbage containers off the ground. Some blogs say to wrap your garbage in tightly sealed plastic bags but remember that the teeth of rodents are very sharp and plastic is no match for them - they will chew right through it hence elevation. Raising your containers six inches off the ground is enough to keep mice and rats at bay. And finally, keep your house clean and free of crumbs littering the kitchen floor. 

Don't Allow These Four Pests In Your Home This Winter

When winter falls upon the land, most pests go into a deep state of hibernation but, there are a few pests that begin entering homes seeking out warmth and food for those long, dark winter months. Pest professionals freely advise homeowners to take precautionary measures against winter pests such as mice, rats, cockroaches and spiders for good reason. Follow our quick guide below and learn how to easily prevent these four winter pests from entering your home. 

Mice

Mice are likely the most popular pest during winter months. The common house mouse will usually nest in dark out of the way areas. Attics, basements, and crawl spaces are very ideal for them to hold up in during the winter months. If left undisturbed, mice can cause property damage. Mice can chew directly through drywall and thin layers of wood. They can bite on electrical wiring causing sparks and electrical fires. Mice are also capable of contaminating stored food products and spread diseases like salmonella as they go from one bag or box of food to the next. 
Our quick tips:

• Seal up cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with steel wool.
• Keep areas free of clutter since mice like to hide in tight spaces.
• Inspect your home for signs of mice like their droppings, chew marks and damaged food containers.

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Rats

Rats will often nest in basements, mounds of debris, and piles of undisturbed materials. Rats will typically gnaw through almost anything  including plastic and pipes to obtain food and water. Like mice, rats are vectors of diseases, making them a serious threat to public health at times.
 

Our quick tips:

• Since rats can fit through holes as small as half an inch, inspect your home for gaps and cracks. If found, fill with steel wool.
• Eliminate moisture in crawl spaces and basements. Check to see that pipes and other such utility lines are secure.
• Inspect your home for signs of rats including rub marks caused by oil in a rats fur, droppings, urine, and gnaw marks.

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German Cockroach

German cockroaches are one of the most common roaches found in commercial and residential buildings throughout the world. German roaches prefer living in cracks and crevices close to food and water making the kitchens and bathrooms of homes a perfect habitat for them. German cockroaches will enter the home via paper and plastic bags from groceries, boxes from deliveries, and secondhand (or rented) appliances. German roaches can and will, if let go, contaminate food and spread bacteria, as well as certain human pathogens. Most startling and according to the CDC, cockroaches inside the home are considered allergens, and can exacerbate the symptoms of asthma, especially in children.

Our quick tips:           

• Keep your counters and floors clean and wiped free of food debris.
• Vacuum your home frequently and take out the garbage regularly.
• Focus hard cleaning efforts in your kitchen and bathrooms with added attention under appliances and sinks. 

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Spiders

Some spiders prefer spinning their webs in undisturbed locations inside the home. Closets, attics, and basements are likely areas within the home where spiders remain throughout winter months. Some spiders, like the brown recluse may be found inside cardboard boxes brought into the home during the holiday season. Black widows, typically found within or on objects dark in color, may be brought inside the home too during this time. Spiders tend to tuck themselves away near and along window frames, in the corners of rooms, and in seldom-used shoes hidden in the back of closets. All spiders have venom but the brown recluse and black widow may bite making them a danger to both children and adults.

Our quick tips:           

• Trim trees and shrubs away from your house and cut limbs that overhang your roof.
• Store seldom-used items in plastic containers since spiders like to hide inside almost anything undisturbed.
• If you suspect you have been bitten by a spider seek medical attention as soon as possible because infections may occur. 

The Haunting Truth Behind Pest Control

At the age of 8, the slightest creak or scratch during the night startled me. I would pull the covers over my head believing it was some kind of magical shield protecting me from the supernatural forces haunting the attic above my bedroom ceiling. While trying to fall asleep, my young mind pictured horrifying images of ghosts and other malevolent beings that turned my childhood dreams into nightmares. Night after night, I heard the ghosts coming but, I never did actually see them or anything else considered malevolent.

Long after my childhood fears and ghosts were forgotten, I moved into the house where my great grandmother, grandmother and grandfather died. During the day the house seemed warm and normal but, at night the house grew cold as my childhood fears returned. Not long after moving in, I noticed a strong musky smell much like death shortly after dark. I began to hear scratching from behind the walls, odd creaky sounds from above the ceiling and saw movement within the shadows. As I sat reading in the evenings, my dogs began growling and barking at the walls ending their protective reaction with a whining all to lay down with their eyes fixated in the direction of something I couldn't see. Every now and again I could hear what sounded like a child running or playing in the attic. And, just after midnight, you could hear someone (or something) pacing back and forth in the attic. Having lived without my childhood fears for sometime, I began to question what was real again. So, i decided to investigate with an open mind.

My investigation began in the attic where I found the mummified remains of something not human and before i had time to panic I noticed the attic was cold and smelled musky as if something had died in it. There were strange black marks running up and down the walls of the attic - some of these markings were in the shape of crosses. If what i found in the attic wasn't enough to keep me up at night, in the basement, I found what looked like shallow graves. Next to one of the areas was freshly disturbed earth where something had forced its way out of the ground. To my amazement and relief though what I uncovered was more real than imaginary.

The remains I found were not human, they were of rodents, bats, and birds. The cold I felt was air coming in from a damaged portion of the roof that also became access for birds, bats, and squirrels to enter my home. The cold air dropped to lower levels of the house at night bringing the smell of death and mummified flesh from the attic too. The pacing sound and black marks were from rats moving around. Video footage revealed a squirrel bee lining my attic to a walnut tree in my front yard. (This explained my initial thoughts of a child running or playing.) The scratching behind the walls were mice, and with their sensitive ears, my dogs were reacting to rodent activity all along. In the basement, the shallow graves I found were actually burrows dug out by rats. And it turned out that the freshly disturbed earth resulted from something digging its way out was just a ground hog. 

As a pest professional, I have heard many haunting tales of scratching, clawing, and groaning throughout the night all to discover the glowing eyes or infrared image of a rodent during inspection. Pest professionals know that birds and squirrels can mimic paranormal activity in the early evening as they settle in for the night, just as rats and mice can cause vocal, audio, and video disturbances, especially close to midnight since they are nocturnal. Being creatures of habit, rodents typically run back and forth on the same path several times each night debunking the ghost of a child playing or something pacing in my house. Mice will scurry up and down the inside of walls causing dogs and cats to stare and react with excitement. So, before you have another sleepless night, before your kids jump in bed with you from fear, and before you call in the paranormal investigation team look for a few obvious signs first.

Below are the most common signs of rodents causing the unexplained in your home:

Unexplained sounds- Rodents cannot be considered quiet when inside your home. Both rats and mice will cause you to hear squeaks, rustling, and scurrying sounds as they move around. As you go to bed at night noises from rodents begin as they are just now waking up.

Glowing trails- House mice are known for their urination patterns. A mouse will leave an invisible trail of urine that will illuminate under the right lighting that could easily be mistaken for the blood of ghosts. These urine lines may be dashed or spotted in appearance when illuminated by professionals. Other times they may be a short or long unbroken line. 

Behind the walls- Rodents build nests from furniture stuffing, shredded paper, grass, and almost anything they can readily find for warmth and cushion. Mice build their nests in undisturbed places like boxes in the attic or basement, unused cabinets and closets, inside walls, even in the voids between ceilings and floors. (Thus hearing noises in areas of no activity.) As mice travel back and forth with nesting material sometimes they drop items. The sound of a twig falling inside a wall can range from a subtle scratching to a traveling scrap-like sound. Over the years, I have found marbles, glass, and other tiny objects in a mouse nest that if dropped during travel could make for an interesting story. 

Strange markings- Mice can make it through openings a quarter inch in size. (A reason for markings to suddenly stop or disappear.) Caused by the dirt and oil in their skin and fur, both rats and mice leave behind rub marks (or smears) that can range in color from a light grey for mice to black resulting from rats. On a funnier note: a recent customer of mine had rats in her kitchen. When i pulled the fridge away from the wall there was a well-pronounced smear mark in the form of an upside down cross on the wall left by rats. The cross was the length and width of her refrigerator, and upon seeing the rub mark my customer fainted. After about 30 seconds, she came to and admitted she was shocked to find that the devil was in her kitchen. 

Gnaw marks- To ensure proper dental care, both rats and mice gnaw away at things. While wood is a favorite, rodents will begin gnawing away on whatever suits them including electrical wire and PVC pipes. Unexplained grinding, scrapping, and sounds that seem to travel can result from the gnawing of rodents. You may not actually see the gnaw marks, but evidence of rodent gnawing is found in the form of wood shavings, shredded paper, and misplaced items. (The latter resulting from rodents having to escape your presence when a tooth gets stuck on an object.)

The smell of death- House mice have a distinct musky scent that once you smell it you'll always remember. Like mice, rats too, bring a unique odor to your home. When living inside, rodents will die inside and when this happens you'll know it. Out of nowhere the smell of death can take up all the airspace inside your house. Lasting more than a week at times, the decaying body of a rodent will surely be cause for concern. 

Mysterious patterns- Both rats and mice will leave tracks and tail marks on dusty surfaces. If enough mice are present it will appear as if claws were slid down the top of a dresser or stand that has a dusty top. Rats drag their tails leaving a defined mark between their footprints. Again, in the right type of lighting these trails may play tricks on your mind. 

Pet behavior- Remember that cats and dogs are able to detect sounds that humans cannot. Dogs can sniff out bed bugs and more. They are keen on smelling, hearing and seeing rodent activity too. A dog may immediately react to rodents by staring, scratching, barking, whining, going in a circle and pacing near the area of activity. 

If your dog is barking or growling at the wall, or just staring up at the ceiling my bet is you have a rodent problem - not ghosts. The haunting truth behind pest control is rodents are the traditional culprit for what goes bump in the night. I have never seen one for myself, and I won't ever say ghosts don't exist but, I will recommend calling a pest professional the next time you hear that ghost child playing in the attic.