Pest companies see increase in mice, rat infestation in the metro
EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) – Many metro exterminators have been dealing with the worst infestation of mice and rats they have seen in years.
Pest control companies KFOR spoke with said calls have tripled in the past two weeks. Most of the calls have come from the northwest Edmond and Deer Creek areas.
Neighbors in a subdivision off Covell and Penn have grown tired of the unwanted guests.
"I laid out two blocks of poison and it was gone quickly," said Tom Wolf, who has trapped at least 20 mice in his garage and a dozen more living under pavers by his trash cans.
Wolf said he has even seen the rodents running across Penn Avenue on his way home from work most nights.
The invasion has kept Blaze Pest Control busy lately.
"I've never seen mice issues like this before," said Cameron Jones, with Blaze Pest Control.
He said the company had received 20 calls over a three-day span.
"We have a lady that we've been filling out bait boxes for once a week,” said Jones. “I've gone back and they've been completely empty every single time. And that's very unusual."
Pest experts said there were several causes for the problem including the dry weather and extended period of warm weather in the fall. Cleared fields and an influx of construction in a fast-growing area have also flushed out mice.
"Mice can enter through an entry point the size of a quarter," said Barry Christensen, owner of Thunder Pest Control.
Christensen said he has been dealing with an abundant number of calls for mice control. He said staying vigilant, with well-placed traps, will help but homeowners should be mindful of a few things.
"Keep their home clean. Keep the water sources gone. Keep bait traps out over time,” said Christensen. “It usually takes a month or two, but over time their house will be totally rodent free."
He also said this time of year, homeowners place hay bales and corn stalks on their porches for Halloween decorations which can add to the issue.