As the temperatures start to dip in Georgia, you’re not the only one reaching for warmth and comfort. Rodents, especially mice and rats, are doing the same. When the weather turns cool, they start looking for cozy, sheltered places to spend the winter. Unfortunately, that often means your attic, crawl space, basement, or pantry.
Fall is the perfect time to plan ahead. Acting now can help you prevent infestations before rodents make themselves at home—and save you from bigger problems down the line. Here’s what you need to know about the types of rodents common in Georgia, why fall is the critical season for control, and how Pest Force can help protect your home inside and out.
Why Fall Is the Critical Time for Rodent Control
Rodents are masters of survival. As temperatures drop, they seek warmth, food, and safety, and your home checks all those boxes. Attics, basements, garages, and even walls offer shelter from the cold, while easy access to pet food, garbage cans, and stored goods makes survival simple.
In Georgia, where winters are mild but unpredictable, this seasonal shift happens early and lasts a while. Rodents may become active indoors in late fall and stay there until spring. The sooner you take preventive action, the better your chances are of keeping them outside where they belong.
Waiting until you hear scratching in the walls or see droppings on the counter can be costly. Rodents chew through insulation and wiring, contaminate food, and spread bacteria. A small problem in November can turn into a full-blown infestation by January. Preventive action now protects your home, your health, and your peace of mind.
The Most Common Rodents in Georgia Homes
Georgia homeowners typically encounter three main types of rodents: house mice, roof rats, and Norway rats. Each behaves a little differently, but all three can cause serious damage once they’re inside.
House Mice
Small but persistent, house mice can squeeze through a hole as small as a dime. They prefer indoor spaces and often build nests behind appliances, in walls, or near stored food. You may notice tiny droppings, gnaw marks, or scratching noises at night. These are all signs that it’s time to act.
Roof Rats
Also called black rats, these agile climbers prefer higher spaces such as attics, rafters, and rooflines. They often enter homes from overhanging trees, vines, or power lines. Once inside, roof rats can cause major damage by chewing through insulation and wiring—and they’re known to contaminate stored items with droppings and urine.
Norway Rats
Larger and more aggressive, Norway rats burrow around foundations and find their way into crawl spaces, basements, and lower walls. Their powerful teeth can chew through wood, plastic, and even soft metal. They’re a big problem for older homes or those with structural gaps near the foundation.
Fall Prevention Tips: How to Keep Rodents Out
Rodent control starts with prevention. These simple fall steps can make your home far less inviting to unwanted guests:
1. Inspect Your Home’s Exterior
Walk around your property and look for gaps around pipes, vents, soffits, and foundations. Seal any openings larger than a quarter inch with steel wool and caulk. Pay attention to garage doors, attic vents, and crawl space access points, all of which are prime entry spots for rodents seeking warmth.
2. Eliminate Food and Shelter Sources
Rodents love clutter. Clear leaves and debris away from the foundation, store firewood off the ground, and keep trash cans sealed. Inside, store food in airtight containers and keep pet food in lidded bins. Clean under appliances and regularly vacuum pantry areas.
3. Trim Overhanging Branches
Roof rats often enter homes from trees or vines that touch or hang over the roofline. Keep branches trimmed at least three feet away from your house to block their path inside.
4. Monitor for Early Signs
Droppings, tracks, nesting materials, or scratching sounds in the walls are red flags. Catching these early can save you time, stress, and repair costs. If you see even a few signs, it’s time to call in professionals before the problem spreads.
How Pest Force Protects Georgia Homes
Whether you’re trying to prevent an infestation or need help removing one, Pest Force offers complete rodent control solutions for Georgia homeowners.
Proactive Protection
Our team begins with a thorough home inspection—identifying entry points, vulnerabilities, and risk factors specific to your property. From there, we create a custom exclusion plan that seals openings, installs deterrents, and sets up monitoring to ensure rodents stay outside.
By acting in the fall, you can get ahead of the seasonal rush and enjoy a rodent-free winter with total peace of mind.
Safe and Effective Removal
If rodents have already made their way inside, Pest Force provides safe, efficient removal. Our technicians use proven methods to eliminate rodents, clean and sanitize affected areas, and prevent re-entry. You’ll get a comprehensive solution–not just a temporary fix.
Local Expertise You Can Trust
Based right here in Georgia, Pest Force understands the local climate, the common species, and the unique challenges homeowners face. Our experienced technicians are trained to identify subtle signs of activity and deliver fast, lasting results.
Don’t Wait Until You Hear Scratching
By the time rodents make noise in your attic or leave droppings in your pantry, the problem is already growing. Fall is your time to act before the cold drives them inside.
Protect your home now. Contact Pest Force today to schedule your rodent inspection and keep your home safe, healthy, and rodent-free all winter long.
