As summer fades into fall in Central Virginia, many homeowners start thinking about cozy evenings inside. Unfortunately, rodents are thinking the same thing. Mice and rats begin seeking shelter from cooler nights long before the first frost hits, and your crawl space or basement is often the first stop. Knowing the signs of a rodent problem early can save you from costly damage and sleepless nights later.
Why crawl spaces? For mice, crawl spaces offer everything they need—darkness, warmth, and plenty of nesting material. Once inside, rodents can chew on insulation, wiring, and wood, creating fire hazards and structural damage. Worse, they leave behind droppings and urine that contaminate the air circulating into your living spaces.
So how do you know if rodents are already inside? One of the earliest signs is droppings. Mice leave behind tiny, rice-sized droppings near food sources, baseboards, or in storage areas. Another giveaway is gnaw marks on wires, cardboard, or even furniture. If you’re hearing scratching or scurrying sounds, especially at night, it’s another red flag. You might also notice nesting materials like shredded paper or insulation pulled into corners of the crawl space.
Prevention is always easier than elimination. Seal any openings around the foundation, vents, and pipes—mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. Keep your yard tidy by trimming back vegetation, storing firewood away from the house, and cleaning up fallen leaves or clutter that creates hiding spots. Inside, store food in airtight containers and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
If rodents are already in your crawl space, it’s important to act quickly. DIY traps might catch a few mice, but they rarely address the larger population or prevent future invasions. At Pest Now of Central VA, we provide professional rodent inspections, crawl space treatments, and exclusion services that block entry points to keep rodents out for good.
Don’t wait until you hear scratching in the walls or find droppings in your pantry. A proactive approach this fall will keep your home safe, healthy, and rodent-free. Pest Now of Central VA has the tools and expertise to protect your crawl space before mice make it their winter home. Visit PestNowCVA.com to book your consultation today.
