Rats and mice can be a real health threat to your family. These guys are the last critters you would ever want living in your home.
A & A Wildlife and Home Solutions can eliminate any infestation, seal up the entries, clean up the mess and ensure they are never a problem again.
Questions? Need to schedule? Contact us using this form or call us at 678-744-9453!
Three signs you may have rats or mice in your home:
To learn more about our exclusion process, continue reading. If you’re ready to schedule an inspection or would like to speak with one of our staff members, please call our office at 678-744-9453 or click the schedule button to reach us online.
Norway Rats: Also known as the brown rat or common street rat, the Norway Rat originated in China and is now common on virtually every continent. With a tendency to reside where humans do, brown rats are true omnivores and will eat almost anything. They generally live in family structures, sleeping, grooming, and finding food for one another. In some cases, these rodents can carry diseases like Weil’s disease, rat bite fever, and viral hemorrhagic fever.
Roof Rats: The Roof Rat, also known as the house rat, black rat, or ship rat, is a species of rat common in Georgia. Originating in tropical Asia with colonies across Europe and the Americas, the Roof Rat is an omnivore that poses significant issues to farmers and their crops. These pests can live in any number of atmospheres, from warehouses to barns and agricultural areas.
Mice: Mice are among the most common pests in Georgia, living in virtually all climates and atmospheres where there are food sources. The term mice can be used to describe numerous species of rodent, including the field mouse, deer mouse, and white-footed mouse. Mice are frequently found in human environments, feeding on a wide range of grains and other plant-based foods. In addition to posing a nuisance in human residences, mice are also the carriers of numerous diseases, including hantavirus. The House Mouse is a very common problem in Georgia. If not taken care of immediately, they will infest your entire home or structure in NO TIME. Many people have issues with mice and don’t know it. Mice can gain entry into your home through very small gaps and cracks. It takes a lot of time and a keen eye for the smallest details to find all their entry points.
Rodent exclusion for a home or building is not a simple, standard process. Each structure is unique, requiring different methods and ladder work. It takes a skilled technician with a trained eye to find all of the uncommon holes. At A & A, we have the experience and know-how to do the job right, guaranteed. Unlike many other companies, we use quality materials such as tough wire screening, thick sheet metal and other products that will last the life of your home.
Due to poor building codes in Georgia, a construction gap is likely present between the roof decking and fascia board around the roofline of your home. These gaps will usually measure half an inch to four inches or more and is a common entryway for critters to access your attic. This area needs to be sealed with galvanized sheet metal and usually takes the most amount of time, effort and ladder maneuvering. Our galvanized sheet metal is pre-bent and slid under the shingles while screwed into the fascia board to secure. If gutter covers are present, they are carefully taken off to access the construction gap. We then install sheet metal and properly reinstall the gutter covers. If you have been thinking about getting gutter covers installed, now is the perfect opportunity. Learn more about our gutter cover options and benefits.
Some homes may have aluminum drip edge installed over their construction gap. Understand that aluminum is not a rodent-proof material and can be chewed through. Furthermore, it is not installed in a way that seals out rodents. Its purpose is to protect from moisture, not squirrels and rodents.
Many other entry holes may exist in the home. Roof returns, vents, utility penetrations and other foundation / siding openings, to name a few. We use a combination of galvanized screen, durable sealants and specialized products designed specifically to keep wildlife out for good. The photos below are of completed work we have performed on homes. Our goal is to animal-proof your home in a way that is both effective and aesthetically pleasing. We do not use unsightly foam. Where necessary, we custom paint materials to blend in with the existing structure.
Screened foundation vent
Ridge vent screened with specialized animal-proof protection that does not inhibit ventilation.
Gable vent screened, which is practically invisible to the naked eye from the ground.
Soffit return sealed with custom bent galvanized steel and painted to blend in with the existing area.
Specialized dryer vent cover that animals cannot chew through or open but still opens to allow air flow when dryer is in use.
Vent covers designed specifically to keep animals out while allowing proper ventilation.
After sealing the home, it’s time to get the critters out. The same day we close up the house, we strategically place rat traps around infested areas with specially formulated bait they can’t resist. The frequency of our return visits varies depending on each location’s need. We don’t stop until the animals are completely eliminated. Sometimes it may be necessary to do some trapping before the exclusion work depending on the situation.
We follow all Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources regulations in regards to trapping nuisance wildlife. All of our wildlife technicians are licensed with the Dept. of Natural Resources and receive ongoing updated training beyond what is required by the state.
When we’re confident all rodents are gone and can’t get back in, it’s a good idea to clean up their mess. If you decide to sell your home, most home inspectors will find and report rodent evidence to the potential buyers or agency. The type of service we recommend depends on the level of contamination. For small infestations, oftentimes we can remove visible feces with a HEPA vacuum and dispurse a hospital-grade disinfectant into the attic. Other evidence such as tunnels and trails in the insulation will also be smoothed out to benefit future inspections.
Our Disinfectant Sanitizer Virucide kills harmful germs, bacteria, fungi and viruses. It disinfects hepatitis, hantavirus, avian flu, HIV and more. It also prevents and eliminates mildew.
When there is heavy contamination, a full Attic Restoration becomes necessary. Some customers choose this option if they are not comfortable with the slightest bit of contamination being left behind. We have received extensive training in proper attic restoration and remediation of animal feces and urine. We have also received training and certification from the Building Performance Institute for proper air sealing and insulation installation. We follow several protocols to prevent contamination from entering your living space during our clean-out process. All insulation is removed. We ensure that the attic floor and other areas are sealed properly while maintaining proper ventilation. In some cases, encapsulating paint is used to seal off heavily contaminated surfaces. Lastly, we install fresh insulation and always clean up behind ourselves before we go.
Certified Rodent Removal Experts
We know how to solve your rat or mouse problem, but you don’t have to take our word for it. We are Certified NWCOA Advanced Wildlife Control Operators.
This certification is awarded after completing two courses and examinations covering a wide variety of topics including wildlife biology, behavior, identification, inspection, exclusion techniques, restrictions, safety, humane animal treatment, proper remediation and decontamination, rabies, animal handling, and more.
This certification, along with our years experience performing rodent trapping and exclusion work, demonstrates that we are fully competent in rodent exclusion, removal and clean-up, along with the control of many other wildlife species.
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