Updated: Sept 7, 2023

Few things are worse than having a rodent reside in your home. These tiny creatures like to hide from humans, making them difficult to find and effectively remove. The presence of a dead rodent smell is a sure sign that you’ve got a pest problem, and locating the source can drive you mad. When you’re having pest problems, it’s always best to call the pros at EcoCare Pest Control. But here are a few tips to eliminate a rodent smell yourself.

Locate the Source

To find the source of that awful dead rat smell, look for evidence they’ve left behind. Mouse droppings, urine, and paw prints are all sure signs that a mouse or rat has been nearby. Unfortunately, rodents can access areas that are hard to get to, including inside your walls, under floorboards, and even inside vents.
Start by looking in common places where rodents like to hide. Check:

• inside kitchen cabinets and bedroom closets
• under the sofa
• in the attic
• in your air ducts
• in the crawl space 

If you’ve scanned your entire home and still can’t find the source of the stench, our team of experts has over 22 years of experience helping homeowners across Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA.

How to Make Things Smell Better

The best way to get rid of a rodent smell is to locate the source, remove it, and clean the area, but that’s not always possible. Luckily, the smell will dissipate over time, and with a few tips, your home will smell fresh in no time.

Clean Things Up

If you find the source of the smell, carefully remove the dead rodent, preferably with a pair of gloves, and place it in an airtight bag. Once this is done it’s best to dispose of it by putting it in an outside garbage. Then use a bleach solution to disinfect the area, which will effectively remove the smell. Finish things off by spraying the area with white distilled vinegar. This will remove any lingering smells and any bacteria that were left behind.

Ventilation is Key

Open windows and doors to allow air to circulate throughout your home, especially if you’ve had to use a bleach solution. If you’ve got a dehumidifier, use it to help disperse the smell of cleaning products and rodents. If the weather permits, turn off the air conditioner or heater to avoid recirculating the bad smell throughout your home for a bit.

Deodorize the Area:

There are several ways to neutralize the smell of a dead rat. Consider the following products:

• Air fresheners
• Air purifier machine
• Charcoal deodorizer bags
• Coffee grounds

By utilizing these products, you’ll be able to quickly neutralize the smell quickly.

Preventing Future Smells

The best way to avoid the smell of a dead mouse is to keep your home rodent-free. Follow these steps to keep mice and rats from entering your house:

1. Seal access points like under doors, foundation vents, inside pipes, and even gutters
2. Clean up crumbs and spills in your kitchen as soon as they appear
3. Keep your trash securely closed
4. Seal food containers so they’re mouse-proof

By making your home harder to enter and less appealing in the first place, mice and rats will steer clear of your house and look for an easier source of food and shelter elsewhere.

Contact EcoCare Pest Control if you Think you Have a Pest Problem

If your home has been infiltrated by a dead rat smell, don’t wait another minute. Contact the pros at EcoCare Pest Control for a free inspection today. We’ll provide a thorough look at your home to determine the source of the smell, and we’ll offer a free quote on pest removal. We’ve got over 20 years of experience in effective pest control, and we’re confident that we can solve your rodent problems quickly and completely.

Updated: Sept 7, 2023

How to Deal with A Squirrel Infestation

Squirrels are cute little critters with fluffy tails that chase, climb, and play with one another in your backyard. Unfortunately, these mischievous little animals can also wreak havoc if they find a way inside your home. From chewed wires and insulation to harmful droppings left behind, you will quickly find yourself researching how to get a squirrel out of your house.

Common Signs of a Squirrel Infestation

First, you must determine whether you have squirrels in the attic or other critters. Here are some common signs that point to squirrels as the culprits.

• The sound of scurrying, chewing, and scratching in places like your crawl space or attic
• Teeth marks on wires, damage to your air vents, and electrical wires that look like they have been chewed on
• The presence of squirrel footprints (they’ve got front paws with four toes, followed by five toes on the back paws)
• If a squirrel passes away in one of your vents, you may begin to notice an unpleasant odor in your home

It can be easy to mistake a squirrel for a mouse or rat. The best way to determine what type of animal is inside your attic (and how bad the infestation has become) is to call a professional. EcoCare Pest Control professionals can help identify the problem and provide the best solution for solving it.

Is it Possible to Remove any Squirrels Myself?

It’s possible to remove squirrels without help from a professional, but it can be an uphill battle. The best way to get rid of squirrels by yourself is to make them uninhabitable. Squirrels don’t like making nests in places that humans already inhabit, and they’ll move on if you make your presence known. This can be particularly difficult if you have squirrels in the attic.

Try making noise by banging the ceiling and leaving the TV on overnight. Shine a bright light into the attic and leave it on for hours. Finally, soak some cloth in apple cider vinegar and leave it in the attic. By hitting their senses with noise, light, and smells, you may be able to deter them from your attic without help. Unfortunately, it’s not typically that easy.

Recommendations for Squirrel Control

To avoid having a squirrel in your house, there are certain things you can do to prevent one from even entering it in the first place. Check the area around your home to ensure that your garbage is covered, your bird feeders are squirrel-proof, and any pet food is stored in a sealed container. It’s also important to look for cracks and holes on the exterior of your home that can serve as an entry point into your home. Some common places for squirrels to enter include:

• Holes in the foundation and exterior siding
• Overhanging tree branches that provide access to the roof
• Hidden roof adjoinments on dormers
• Torn mesh under the roof vents
• Torn mesh in the Gable vents or in the Bird Blocks under the eaves
• Gaps between the fascia boards and gutters
• Chimney chutes
• Sealing holes around your home and regular yard maintenance are simple solutions. Sometimes, though, these solutions just aren’t enough.

EcoCare Pest Control is Here to help with any Rodent Infestations

A squirrel problem can quickly become a homeowner’s worst nightmare, and your family deserves a squirrel-free living space. If you’re concerned about whether you have a squirrel or other critter infestation in your home, call the pros at EcoCare Pest Control. We offer free inspections to diagnose the problem. Once we know what type of infestation we’re dealing with, we’ll provide a free quote. That way, you can decide how to approach the squirrels in order to safely (and efficiently) remove them from your home.

Image Source: Edwin Godinho //Shutterstock

Updated: Sept 6, 2023

Common Pests that Invade the Home During the Winter Season

Winter means cold weather, harsh conditions, and a lack of food for small critters and pests. Unfortunately, your home is ideal for shelter until spring arrives. To avoid this problem, you can be proactive about winter pest control in several ways. Our experts at EcoCare Pest Control are here to ensure your home remains pest-free all year. Here are some of the most common culprits.

Spiders and Cockroaches

Spiders and cockroaches don’t hibernate and love dark, undisturbed spaces. You’ll often find spiders hiding in closets, attics, crawl spaces, and basements. Cockroaches, on the other hand, prefer areas close to food and water. They’re most often found in kitchens and bathrooms. To keep your home spider and cockroach-free, take the following precautions:

• Keeping your kitchen clean
• Sweeping up crumbs regularly and making sure you take out the garbage often
• Vacuuming the carpet frequently
• Trim trees and shrubs to make it more difficult for spiders to enter your home

Spiders and cockroaches aren’t just creepy and crawly. They also pose significant health risks, and it’s worth practicing winter pest control so they remain outside where they belong. With over 20 years of experience, we know sometimes more than taking all the right steps is needed to keep pests out. Fortunately, you have EcoCare Pest Control.

Mice and Rats

Mice are a common house nuisance in the winter, and rats are just as happy to infiltrate warm homes. Both like to make nests in dark, undisturbed places like attics or basements, and they carry some diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Mice are very good at chewing through drywall and wires in search of food, and rats have been known to chew through lead pipes to access water.
Unfortunately, rats can enter through a hole as small as a quarter, and mice are tiny enough to squeeze through a space the size of a dime. To keep these critters from entering your home, take the following precautions:

• Keep your home clutter-free. These pests love to make nests in unoccupied areas and under rubble.
• Use caulk and steel wool to seal every crack and hole outside your home.
• Store pet food and any other food source not commonly used in airtight containers.
• Be on the lookout for evidence of rats and mice, including droppings, gnawed places, and greasy marks caused by a rat’s oily fur.
• Keep moisture out of your basement and crawl space.

If you notice signs of a mouse or rat infestation, call the pros immediately to ensure they’re effectively eliminated.

Bedbugs

Bed bugs are tiny little pests that live in the seams of mattresses and, if the infestation is bad enough, in couches and carpets. Since bed bugs don’t hibernate through the winter, they’re known to move indoors during colder months. Many people aren’t aware they have an infestation until they begin waking up with itchy bites. Getting rid of them can be tough, which is why we specialize in bed bug removal. To prevent bed bugs from taking residence in your home, follow these winter pest control tips:

• Add a protective mattress bag to every mattress in your home that’s effective at preventing bed bugs.
• Spray your bedding with a solution of water and essential oils like cinnamon, clove, peppermint, or tea tree oil.
• Wash your bedding regularly, and watch for signs of bed bugs on your mattress by checking the seams in between each changing of the sheets.

Prepare for Winter Ahead of Time With EcoCare Pest Control

The best way to practice successful pest control in your home is by taking preventative measures. Winter pest control means making your home less appealing for pests to take up residence and harder for them to enter in the first place. That way, they’ll find an easier place to weather the cold. If you need help, contact EcoCare Pest Control today. We’ll happily provide a free inspection and a quote to keep your home pest-free all year.

Image Source: YULIYA Shustik //Shutterstock

Updated: Aug 3, 2023

With their mischievous eyes and little hands, raccoons might seem irresistibly adorable. But that cute factor fades pretty quickly when they decide to turn your home into their playground.

If you’re finding yourself hosting a raccoon party you didn’t plan, don’t fret! Today, we’re going to break down how to get rid of raccoons using humane, eco-friendly, and most importantly, effective strategies.

Signs That You Might Have a Raccoon Infestation

Recognizing the signs of a raccoon infestation is the first step in the journey to get rid of raccoons for good. Here are some telltale signs:

• Evidence of raccoons feeding: From tipped-over garbage cans to chewed-up gardens, a feeding raccoon leaves a distinct mess behind.
• Tracks: Keep an eye out for raccoon tracks such as paw prints; they’re similar in shape to human handprints but much smaller. 
• Droppings: Raccoon droppings are often the size and shape of a small dog’s, and they’re a sure sign of an unwanted visitor. 
• Strange sounds: Raccoons are nocturnal, so you might hear loud noises such as scratching, thumping, or high-pitched chattering in the middle of the night. 

How to Remove Raccoons Humanely & Naturally

Once you’ve identified a raccoon problem, it’s time to employ some raccoon deterrents. The best method to get rid of raccoons will depend on where in your home they’re living.

Raccoons in the Home

Raccoons often find solace in the attic, walls, or other cozy nooks. They’re attracted to warmth, food, and shelter that homes provide. To keep them away, seal off possible entry points, keep food sources inaccessible, and install chimney caps or mesh wire to block entrances.

Raccoons in the Crawlspace (Under the House)

This area provides an inviting hideout for raccoons. Effective ways of deterring them include the use of light (as they prefer dark spaces) and non-toxic repellents. Understanding what keeps raccoons away is a key component in maintaining a raccoon-free home.

How EcoCare Pest Control Gets Rid of Raccoons in Portland Homes

As a family-owned company with 23 years of experience, EcoCare Pest Control excels in providing safe, eco-friendly solutions for pest issues. If you’ve tried to figure out how to scare raccoons away from your house and it’s not working, it’s time to call in the professionals.

Our team of expert technicians specializes in raccoon removal and prevention, ensuring that these creatures are dealt with humanely and effectively. Plus, we understand the unique challenges faced by homeowners in Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA.

Visit our raccoon removal page for more information on how we approach these situations with a commitment to eco-friendly practices and top-notch service.

Contact the Portland Raccoon & Pest Control Pros Today!

Remember, the best strategy is prevention. Now that you know how to keep raccoons away, you’re better prepared to protect your home. But when in doubt, it’s always best to call the professionals. And at EcoCare, we’re always ready to help. We offer a free inspection and quote to get you started on the path to a pest-free home, so you can know exactly what to expect before moving forward.

A raccoon infestation is not just an annoyance; it poses health risks and can lead to property damage – so don’t wait to get rid of these unwelcome guests!

Contact us today and let our experienced technicians take the worry off your shoulders. Together, we can protect your home and family from pests in an environmentally conscious way.

Image credits: Christine_Gneh / Shutterstock 

Updated: Aug 3, 2023

What are Roof Rats and How to Get Rid of Them?

If you’re a homeowner in the Pacific Northwest, you’ve likely heard of the pesky roof rat, sometimes called “tree rats.” These rodents pose a significant challenge, nesting in your roof, causing serious issues, and exploiting your home’s resources. But fret not! This article is your guide to understanding roof rats, identifying them, and, most importantly, getting rid of them using safe, eco-friendly solutions.

EcoCare Pest Control is a locally-owned, family-run pest control company in Portland. Our team of highly trained technicians is ready to help you reclaim your home. Read on to learn more about roof rats and how to get rid of them if they’ve infested your home.

How to Identify Roof Rats

Roof rats, as their name suggests, often find refuge in high places like attics and ceilings. They are typically 6-8 inches long, excluding their tail, and possess a sleek, black, or brown coat. Their most distinctive features are their pointed snout, large ears, and a tail longer than their body.

Spotting these characteristics or finding their droppings, which are capsule-shaped and dark, can indicate a roof rat infestation. If you suspect you may have rats in your home’s roof system, it’s essential to contact a professional to confirm as soon as possible.

Common Roof Rat Nesting Locations

Roof rats prefer high, secluded areas; hence they’re often found in attics, ceilings, and upper parts of buildings. However, they also nest in dense vegetation, piles of wood or debris, and tree tops. Keep an eye out for signs of nesting in these areas – this could include shredded material, droppings, or even the sound of scurrying at night.

Roof Rat Food Sources

Roof rats are omnivores that prefer fruits, nuts, and seeds, but they won’t say no to food in your pantry or pet food left out overnight. One key to controlling a roof rat infestation is to eliminate their food sources. This can include securing your food in airtight containers, regular cleaning, and managing your outdoor vegetation to reduce their access to fruits and nuts.

Roof Rats Daily Activity Patterns

Roof rats are primarily nocturnal creatures. They become active at dusk when they venture out searching for food and return to their nests at dawn. During the day, they stay within their nests, so you might hear movement sounds in your attic or ceiling at night.

Why Should You Worry About Roof Rats?

Roof rats aren’t just a nuisance; they pose serious risks to your home and health. They can spread diseases like salmonella and leptospirosis, trigger allergies, and even cause fires by chewing through electrical wiring. Their constant gnawing can also result in significant structural damage to your home.

Contact the Portland Rat & Rodent Control Pros Today!

Now that you know how to identify and deal with roof rats, taking quick action is crucial if you suspect an infestation. Remember, handling these pests can be dangerous without proper training and equipment. As an experienced pest control company, EcoCare Pest Control can comprehensively solve your roof rat problem.

Whether you’re dealing with rats in your roof or ceiling, we’re here to help. Our affordable services ensure that all homeowners can keep their homes safe, clean, and free from unwanted pests of all kinds. Don’t let roof rats disrupt your peace of mind: Trust the professionals at EcoCare Pest Control to deliver swift, eco-friendly, and effective solutions. Contact EcoCare Pest Control for your free roof rat inspection and quote today!

Image Source: Heiko Kiera/Shutterstock