Setting the Best Mousetrap in 5 Steps

Mousetrap in Des Moines IA home - Springer Professional Home Services provides tips on properly setting a mousetrap

If you see a mouse in your property, it’s important to act quickly! Rodent problems can spread quickly, especially with how quickly mice reproduce. Mice can be a pain to deal with—they’re messy, can chew through wires, and leave foul smelling odors wherever they go! One of the most common ways to control an infestation is with a mousetrap. In order for them to work properly, it’s important to educate yourself on how to set the best mousetrap. Read on to learn top tips from the experts at Springer Professional Home Services!

Which Mousetrap Should You Use?

Electronic, glue, and catch-and-release mousetraps are some of the most common types. All of these have varying degrees of success as well as a number of advantages and disadvantages. The most common—and likely the most popular—trap is the spring-loaded mousetrap. These have been used for decades to get rid of mice, and it’s smart to know how to properly set one! There are several tips to keep in mind when setting a mousetrap in order for them to work in your favor!

Top Tips for Setting a Successful Mousetrap

Many people make the mistake of setting a mousetrap improperly. The following list provides tips on setting the best mousetrap:

  1. Wear gloves. Mice can smell humans and will avoid traps if they catch onto your scent!
  2. Use the best bait and the correct amount. Not all mice like cheese. Only use a small amount of bait to encourage the mice to reach into the stand and trigger the mechanism.
  3. Start with an unloaded but baited trap. It may seem counterintuitive, but start with unloaded traps (baited but not activated)! This will lure mice into a false sense of security.
  4. Use more than one trap. Always set multiple traps two to three feet apart each. You will have a better chance at catching as many mice as possible at once.
  5. Set out mousetraps strategically. Always set mousetraps along walls and behind furniture, or wherever you suspect activity.
  6. Check the mousetraps regularly. Success won’t happen overnight, but don’t give up! Always check to make sure the traps are loaded correctly with bait, as some mice will grab bait without setting off the trap.

Need Help Setting the Best Mousetrap?

Mousetraps are certainly a popular and accessible way to get rid of rodents, but they don’t always work. Especially when you’re dealing with a serious infestation, it’s sometimes best to enlist the help of a professional rodent control company. At Springer Professional Home Services, our experts know how to get rid of mice quickly and safely. For more info on setting the best mousetrap or to learn about our extermination, give us a call!

Preventing Rats & Mice in the Winter

Winter window in central Iowa - Springer Professional Home Services provides rodent control checklist to prevent infestations.

Iowa is known for having extremely cold winters. Some may assume that during these freezing winters, pest problems aren’t likely. Unfortunately, that’s not the case! In fact, rodent infestations are quite common this time of year. According to The National Pest Management Association (NPMA), upwards of 21 million homes in the U.S. are invaded by rodents each winter! Rats and mice come indoors to escape dropping temperatures outdoors. To prevent an infestation this time of year, it’s essential to know how to safeguard your home by preventing rats and mice.

Are Rodents Hibernating in the Winter?

Many animals, including certain types of larger rodents, hibernate for the winter. Rats and mice, however, do not hibernate. They are active throughout the entire year. To survive the cold winters, they will infest homes in search of warmth and shelter. Worst of all, mice are infamous for squeezing their way inside through holes as small as the size of a dime!

Once inside, they can be extremely destructive and even dangerous! Rats and mice are capable of spreading bacteria and pathogens, which is why it’s so important to prevent them in the first place.

Rodent control checlist for your Des Moines or Cedar Rapids IA home this winter - Springer Professional Home Services

Preventing Rats & Mice Checklist

To prevent a rodent infestation, it’s recommended to regularly check your home. By locating and fixing areas that have damage, you can lessen the chance of a rat or mice invasion. The eight locations to check include:

  1. Roof
  2. Vents
  3. Screens
  4. Vegetation
  5. Gutters
  6. Outside
  7. Garage
  8. Foundation

Winter Rodent Control

By regularly inspecting your property for vulnerabilities, you can help protect yourself from an infestation! If you need assistance checking your home for rodents, the exterminators at Springer Professional Home Services are here to help. We understand how frustrating rodent problems are, which is why we work to prevent them from occurring in the first place. To learn more about how we can keep you rodent-free, call us today!

Keep Your Home Pest-Free This Winter

A rodent is one of the many common winter pests that invade central Iowa homes each year - Springer Professional Home Services

Many people think that pest infestations only happen in the spring and summer, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Just like us, pests and insects seek out shelter and warmth in the colder months, which is why winter infestations are more common than you may think. Rodents, cockroaches, and even bed bugs are just a few of the many pests known to stick around in the winter months. To avoid the frustration of a pest infestation during the holiday season, keep reading for Springer’s top tips for preventing winter pests!

Winter Pest Problems in Iowa

If you live in Iowa, you know that pest infestations are a fact of life year-round. During the winter, many bugs and insects may seemingly disappear to not return again until the springtime. However, some pests will invade homes this time of year in search of food and shelter. The most common winter pest problems are from:

  • Rodents (rats & mice): The house mouse and Norway rat will easily squeeze their way indoors to escape the cold.
  • Bed bugs: Known to withstand extreme temperatures, bed bug infestations are common in the winter months.
  • Spiders: House spiders as well as black widows are often found indoors in dark, secluded corners.
  • German cockroaches: These common roaches hitchhike inside and can spread quickly throughout your home.

Pest-Proofing Your Home in the Winter

In order to prevent winter pests, it’s important to learn how to protect your home. Exclusion is one of the most reliable forms of pest control, as it denies pests access into your home in the first place! By sealing cracks and crevices around your property, you’re able to stop pests and insects from getting indoors. Further preventative measures include placing screens over vents and chimneys, storing firewood away from the home, fixing any moisture problems, and generally keeping a clean and tidy environment to discourage pests.

Winter Pest Control Services

Winter pest problems are a serious threat to homeowners. The best way to go about preventing winter pests is to safeguard your home against them! If you’ve done all you can to keep insects and other pests out of your home in the winter but are still experiencing issues, it’s time to call the experts at Springer Professional Home Services!

How to Get a Pest-Free Christmas Tree

Shake out your Christmas tree before bringing it into your Des Moines IA home - Springer Professional Home Services

Did you know that 30 million households bring a real Christmas tree into their home every year? Nothing evokes the spirit of the holidays like a freshly cut Christmas tree that serves as a beautiful decoration in your home each year. However, these trees are also said to harbor as many as 25,000 insects inside of them! To avoid getting a pest infestation, keep reading for Springer’s top tips on how to pest-proof your Christmas tree.

3 Tips to Prevent Christmas Tree Insects

With so many Christmas trees to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one! Before bringing a Christmas tree into your home, there are a number of things you should do to prevent Christmas tree pests:

  1. Thoroughly inspect your tree. Before picking a winner, inspect the Christmas tree for irregularities, spots, damaged branches or trunk, or signs of pests.
  2. Shake out the tree. Either by yourself or with the expertise of a Christmas tree lot attendant, vigorously shake out the tree to expel insects or pests.
  3. Leave the tree in your garage initially. To encourage lingering bugs out, store your Christmas tree in your garage or a covered area for a day or two before carrying it indoors.

Are Christmas Tree Bugs Dangerous?

Christmas tree bugs are typically minuscule and harmless. In reality, most of these Christmas tree insects will not be able to survive an indoor environment and will die within days of being brought in. The most common Christmas tree bugs you may come across include:

  • Aphids
  • Bark beetles
  • Spiders
  • Weevils
  • Webworms
  • Praying Mantises
  • Mites
  • Sawflies

How to Get Rid of Christmas Tree Pests

If you brought home a Christmas tree only to discover it’s riddled with insects, there’s no reason to panic. As mentioned before, Christmas tree insects are mostly harmless. Nonetheless, it’s recommended to call an expert pest control company such as Springer Professional Home Services for more information on getting rid of Christmas tree bugs. Contact us today for more tips on having a pest-free* Christmas!

FAQ About Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants in Iowa - Springer Professional Home Services

Carpenter ants are unlike your typical house ant in a number of ways. This species is known to be bigger, and definitely more dangerous. But why? True to their name, carpenter ants are infamous for damaging the wood. In fact, carpenter ants are oftentimes confused for termites, especially when they swarm. Due to the dangers, they pose to your home, it’s crucial to learn how to recognize the signs of carpenter ants, as well as how to keep them out of your home entirely. Keep reading to learn more about this dangerous ant species with the experts at Springer.

Are Carpenter Ants Dangerous?

In spite of their size, carpenter ants are not out to attack you or your family. That being said, they do have rather large jaws that they use to chew through wood. Those same jaws can be used to bite any potential threats to the ant, including you, your family, or your pets. Carpenter ant bites aren’t common and are essentially harmless. The pain caused by a carpenter ant bite is similar to that of a bee sting. While it’s important to protect yourself and your family from carpenter ants, your home is at greater risk of harm from their presence.

Can Carpenter Ants Damage My Home?

Yes, carpenter ants are known for their potentially damaging habits. Carpenter ants chew away at the wood in and around your home. This includes but is not limited to trees, sheds, siding, and furniture as well as the structure of your home (support beams, roofing, etc.). Carpenter ants do not work as quickly as termites, but if you believe you may have an infestation, it’s important to address it as soon as possible. The longer the problem goes unaddressed, the more damage your home is likely to suffer.

Signs You Have Carpenter Ants

Ants are fairly common throughout the United States, so don’t be alarmed if you spot one or two throughout the spring and summer. You could potentially have a carpenter ant problem if you struggle with them in your home during the fall and winter months. Winged ants should also be considered a red flag as these are a sign of swarmer carpenter ants. Winged carpenter ants often resemble termites, so if you are unsure of what pest you are facing, it’s best to call a professional pest control company.

How Can I Get Rid of Carpenter Ants?

You can address your carpenter ant problem with baits, traps, and pesticides; however, these treatments will not attack the root of the issue. Always contact a local pest control professional for help getting rid of carpenter ants. In addition to treating your property, you can learn how to prevent these ants in the first place:

  • Eliminate any contact between your home and soil or mulch.
  • Trim trees and shrubbery around your home.
  • Seal cracks in your siding, foundation, and roofing.
  • Store firewood in an elevated area away from your home.
  • Properly dispose of yard waste.

Help With Carpenter Ants in Iowa

If you’re struggling with a carpenter ant infestation, contact Springer for residential pest control services. Springer has been a leading pest control agency in the Des Moines area for decades. Our trained technicians will be able to evaluate your situation and provide treatment to rid you of those ants forever!