One of the greatest things about living in Southern Arizona is the abundance of animal life that surrounds our homes. My in-laws call their living room picture window the “Nature Channel” because of the various squirrels, birds, chipmunks, lizards and other wildlife that congregate just outside. Beyond this Disneyesque landscape sit two cars with their hoods permanently in the open position… why are the hoods up? Because pack rats have attacked each car in turn, making the engine compartment their home, trading wiring for cactus, sticks and twine.
Pack rats will readily travel from their homes, often in the base of a prickly pear or cholla cactus. Eternally curious, they are constantly seeking out new places to explore and to expand their territory. They invade engine compartments, storage closets, appliances and attics, leaving behind destruction everywhere they go. Pack rats will use the wire coatings, bits of insulation and even strings or cloth to line the interior of their nests, keeping their home nice and cozy while leaving yours backfiring, smoking or not working at all.
Keeping pack rats away from your home is critical to avoiding the nuisance associated with their activity. One of the most important steps in pack rat control is to completely remove the midden, or nest, from the cacti after the rodents are eliminated.
An often unnoticed risk with the removal of these nests are the conenose bugs (kissing bugs) that cohabitate with pack rats. With the pack rats gone these bugs will go in search of the nearest food source, which is all too often ourselves.
Nature hates a void, and empty nests attract more rodent residents. Removal of these ensures that pack rats are not lingering around your home, making it a more attractive target.
Your professional at University Termite & Pest Inc. control understands and is prepared to deal with this full cycle of control challenges. Please contact a representative to begin the process of reclaiming your peace of mind.
