As temperatures drop across the region, homeowners may notice some unwanted guests trying to move in for the winter.
Pest control expert Jonathon Tennant says fall is one of the busiest times of year for mouse activity because rodents are searching for warmth, shelter and food.
And it does not take much of an opening for them to get inside.
Mice can also climb brick and find openings around soffits, fascia and rooflines.
Once inside, the first clues may be droppings, damaged food packages or scratching and scurrying sounds at night.
Tennant says a single mouse may sometimes be dealt with using a trap, but continued signs could point to a larger problem.
Prevention starts outside. Tennant recommends checking the exterior of the home for possible entry points and sugggests how to seal them up.
Tennant recommends keeping firewood roughly 15 to 20 feet away from the home when possible.
Rats can also become a concern, particularly when nearby construction, demolition or easy food sources disturb their usual habitat.
For homeowners, a simple fall inspection can go a long way: check the outside of the house carefully, close off possible entry points and act quickly if signs of rodents appear.
Written by Jeremy Hall