To the outside world, living on Turks and Caicos is a tropical paradise dream, and to be sure, it has many benefits. Our temperatures are nearly perfect year-round, beautiful beaches surround our home, we have a thriving culture, and our native plants and wildlife are some of the most varied and lovely in the world. However, just like anywhere else, it’s not all perfect all the time. Hurricane season threatens every late summer and fall, work and life stresses hit just as hard here as anywhere else, and sometimes our homes can become the host to some very unwanted visitors (and we’re not talking about unsavory extended family members). Rodents are not native to Turks and Caicos, but as is the case with many of the animals found on our islands, they have made their way here and are now a part of both our inhabited and uninhabited islands.
Problems Rodents Cause In Your Home
Since the introduction of rodents to Turks and Caicos, they have caused and continue to cause a number of problems when they enter your homes, such as the following:
- They destroy property by chewing, building nests, and leaving feces around.
- They bring parasites into your home. Rodents often carry parasites, such as fleas, on them. When they enter your home, these parasites do too.
- They carry diseases and spread diseases, both through their bites and by contaminating the areas they walk over.
- They cause potentially serious damage to homes by chewing on walls and beams, leading to structural damage. They also chew on electrical wiring, potentially causing a dangerous fire hazard.
Outdoor Rodent Control Tips
Outside homes, they have had a devastating effect on local species of reptiles and birds. Some of these endemic animals are already at critical levels, and efforts are being made by the Turks and Caicos National Trust, in partnership with the UK Royal Society of the Protection of Birds, to reduce and control the rodent populations on the islands. For both the health of you and your island home, it is vitally important that you do not provide rodents a place to live. Certain steps can be taken to make your house uninviting to these pests, such as the following:
- Keep outdoor garbage bins tightly covered and away from your house.
- Inside, keep food stored in airtight containers or in the refrigerator.
- Clean spills and messes immediately.
- Keep clutter to a minimum to prevent hiding and nesting spots.
- Make sure there are no holes, gaps, or cracks around your foundation, walls, windows, or doors. Mice can fit through a hole the size of a nickel and rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter.
At Parkway Pest Solutions, we can help you prevent future rodent infestations, as well as eradicate any current ones, and you’ll know you’re not only keeping your home safe but keeping our island safe as well. For the best protection against rodents, give Parkway Pest Solutions a call.