There’s no doubt about it: Homeland, MD is a great place to live. The area was originally settled way back in 1695 until eventually becoming part of northern Baltimore City in the 20th century.
The variety of houses and architecture make Homeland stand out from nearby Roland Park, and its ties to the past led the National Register of Historic Places to add The Greater Homeland Historic District to its list of historic places in 2001.
Homeland was even listed in Worth magazine as one of the top 50 urban neighborhoods in the country.
Yes, Homeland is a historic neighborhood full of charm, beautiful gardens and picturesque ponds. For a pest company like Brody Brothers, though, that also means residents who frequently call us for mice and termite infestations.
Homeland’s historic homes, with stone foundations and old gutters not draining away from the house, keep moisture close to the structure and practically beg termites to move in.
Add in mature trees that touch the roofline and old mortar joints that provide plenty of opportunity for mice to get in, and you’ve got a perfect storm for a combination mice-termite invasion.
How can homeowners make mice and termites history?
Luckily, there are a lot of things that can be done to prevent both mice and termite infestations before they happen.
Both pests can cause structural damage, and we trust that most homeowners know what kind of costly damage termites can cause, but mice can also be incredibly hazardous to your health as carriers of Hantavirus and Lyme disease.
Our clients with older homes often opt for our Termite Defense Plan or our Home Protection Plan because they cover year-round inspections and treatments. If you’re eager to get started on protecting your home from pests, there are a number of things you can do right now:
- Clean your gutters and extend downspouts away from the foundation of your home
- Keep wood piles away from your home and maintain mulch that is less than three inches deep.
- Replace mulch every year to keep it from (Remove any mulch that has not decayed) decaying, and don’t leave tree stumps in the ground if you take down a tree in your yard.
The strategy to prevent mice is different, but there are still plenty of things homeowners can do to prevent an infestation:
- The mice we typically see in Homeland are quite small, and can crawl through dryer vents, chimneys and any hole ¼-inch across, so make sure everything is sealed up with a product they can’t gnaw through.
- Crawlspaces, garages and basements also attract mice, so make sure you check everywhere if you think you may already be the victim of a mouse invasion.
- For termite prevention, make sure to keep woodpiles away from your home, keep trash can lids secure, and store seeds, grain and pet food in air-tight containers.
When Pest Prevention is No Longer an Option
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: if you’re dealing with mice, termites or, especially, both mice and termites, call in the experts!
If you spot termite wings or mud tubes, chances are that you have an active termite problem. Repairing the damage can be very costly, so it’s best to start treating as soon as possible to mitigate the infestation.
Homeowners should not try to deal with termites on their own.
In our years of experience, we’ve found that historic homes in Homeland are good candidates for termite bait systems. Our Sentricon® termite elimination system can get rid of an existing termite problem, and stop them from coming back, all in a smart and environmentally conscious way. The bait traps are EPA approved and help you avoid liquid termite treatments that could put your family and pets at risk.
While our clients with termites can be caught by surprise when a beam collapses, our clients with mice often figure it out because they hear scratching and tiny footsteps in the walls or attic at night.
Again, don’t try to DIY a solution to a mouse infestation. We’ve had too many clients who went this route and ended up with dead, rotting mice in their walls, and they honestly can’t decide which problem is worse!
After you contact the pest control experts at Brody Brothers, we will perform a thorough inspection of your home and follow up by sealing any existing and potential entryways for field mice and other pests. Whether you have termites, mice or some other pest, we’ll discuss treatments and traps to get your home pest-free.
