Well, howdy folks. Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, and I want to talk to you about something that’s been a growing issue here in Jasper and all of North Georgia: rodents. I’m not just talking about the occasional mouse in the garage; I’m talking about a problem that’s getting more persistent and more serious as we head into 2026.

A Year-Round Problem

Most folks think of mice and rats as a winter problem, and that’s partly true. When the weather gets cold, they definitely look for a warm place to nest, and our homes look awfully inviting. But here in North Georgia, thanks to our warm, humid summers, these pests are a year-round threat. They’re always looking for food and water, and the humid conditions allow them to thrive even when it’s hot outside.

The two main culprits we deal with are the Norway rat and the house mouse. The Norway rat is the bigger one, a burrower that usually sticks to the ground floor or crawl space. They can chew through just about anything to get inside. Then you’ve got the house mouse, a smaller, more nimble pest that can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. That makes it nearly impossible to keep them out if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.

The Dangers of a Rodent Infestation

When people call me about a rodent problem, they’re often worried about the scratching noises in the walls or the droppings they’ve found in the kitchen. And those are definitely signs of a problem. But the real issue is what you can’t see.

Rodents cause structural damage by chewing through electrical wires, which can create a major fire hazard. They can also gnaw on pipes, leading to leaks and water damage. More importantly, they pose a serious health risk. Rodents carry diseases like hantavirus and salmonella, which can be spread through their droppings and urine, contaminating your food and surfaces.

My Approach to Rodent Control

At Faith Pest Control, we believe in a smarter, more thorough approach than just setting out a few traps. My business is founded on trust, and I won’t do a half-baked job. Here’s how we tackle the problem:

Inspection and Exclusion: First, we do a complete inspection of your home to identify every single entry point. Mice only need a tiny gap, and rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter. We seal those points with materials they can’t chew through.

Removal: After we’ve sealed them out, we use traps and baits to get rid of the pests already inside your home. We prefer traps over poison to avoid the terrible stench of a dead rodent decaying in your walls or attic.

Sanitation: Finally, we clean up. We remove nesting material and droppings to eliminate the health risks and the pheromones that attract other rodents.

The problem with rodents is that they multiply quickly. If you see one, there are likely many more you don’t see. Don’t wait until it becomes a bigger, more dangerous issue. Give a local professional a call who puts your family’s safety first.