Rodents can create serious problems for commercial properties throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. From contaminating products and damaging property to creating health and safety concerns, even a small rodent problem can quickly impact daily business operations.

Because rodents can squeeze through openings as small as half an inch and reproduce rapidly, proactive prevention is one of the most effective ways to protect your facility. That’s why many businesses are turning to SMART digital rodent control solutions for around-the-clock monitoring and protection.

Why Rodents Are a Serious Business Risk

Rodents are known for their ability to chew through wood, plastic, insulation, wiring, and other materials throughout commercial buildings. In warehouses, food facilities, livestock operations, restaurants, and office buildings, rodent activity can lead to contamination concerns, damaged inventory, costly repairs, and potential reputational damage.

Traditional rodent control methods often rely heavily on periodic inspections or reactive treatments after activity has already increased. Digital rodent monitoring helps businesses identify activity earlier before infestations become larger and more difficult to control.

How SMART Rodent Control Works

Viking Pest Control’s SMART pest control technology combines digital monitoring with professional pest management to help detect and respond to rodent activity 24/7.

Using infrared sensors, connected monitoring devices, and strategically placed traps, the SMART system continuously tracks rodent activity throughout a property. When activity is detected, information is transmitted directly to Viking technicians, allowing for faster response times and ongoing adjustments based on real-time data.

This proactive approach helps businesses:

• Detect rodent activity early
• Identify high-pressure areas
• Monitor trends over time
• Reduce the risk of major infestations
• Minimize disruption to daily operations

Customized Protection for Commercial Facilities

Every commercial property has different pest pressures and operational needs. Facilities such as warehouses, livestock operations, healthcare facilities, restaurants, and manufacturing plants often require customized rodent prevention strategies.

Before installation, Viking technicians evaluate the property layout, identify potential entry points, and determine areas with elevated rodent pressure. SMART devices are then strategically placed throughout the facility and adjusted over time based on collected activity data.

For facilities where sanitation and compliance are critical, continuous monitoring can provide an added layer of protection and peace of mind.

Benefits of Digital Rodent Monitoring

Compared to traditional rodent control programs, SMART technology offers several advantages, including:

• 24/7 rodent monitoring
• Real-time digital alerts
• Reduced reliance on reactive treatments
• Environmentally conscious solutions
• Ongoing trap optimization
• Data-driven pest management decisions

SMART technology can also monitor areas like sewer lines and utility access points where rodents commonly enter commercial properties.

Professional Commercial Rodent Control from Viking Pest Control

For businesses looking to strengthen their rodent prevention strategy, Viking Pest Control’s commercial pest control services provide customized solutions designed for a wide range of industries throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

By combining local expertise with advanced monitoring technology, Viking helps businesses stay proactive against rodents while reducing the risk of costly infestations and operational disruptions.

 

As temperatures begin to cool across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, rodents start searching for warm places to shelter for the winter. Mice, rats, and squirrels may spend most of the year outdoors, but once fall arrives, homes and businesses become attractive places to nest, feed, and hide from the cold.

Unfortunately, rodents can cause extensive damage once they get indoors. From chewing electrical wires and insulation to contaminating surfaces with droppings and urine, these pests are far more than a seasonal nuisance. The good news is that a few proactive prevention steps can help reduce your risk of a rodent infestation this fall.

Common Rodents Found Across Homes

Several types of rodents are especially active throughout NJ, PA, DE, and MD during the colder months.

Mice

House mice and deer mice are among the most common invaders. These small rodents can squeeze through openings as small as a dime and often enter homes through cracks, utility gaps, crawl spaces, and garage doors.

Rats

Norway rats and roof rats are larger than mice but just as destructive. Roof rats are excellent climbers and often enter through roofs, attics, and overhanging tree branches, while Norway rats tend to stay closer to the ground and foundations.

Squirrels

Eastern gray squirrels and flying squirrels may enter attics, soffits, or wall voids while searching for warmth and nesting areas during the fall and winter.

Why Rodents Are Dangerous

Rodents may seem harmless outdoors, but inside a structure they can quickly become a serious problem. Rodents constantly chew to keep their teeth filed down, which means they can damage:

• Electrical wiring
• Drywall and insulation
• Pipes and ductwork
• Stored belongings
• Wood framing

Rodents can also spread bacteria and disease, contaminate food, introduce fleas and ticks indoors, and create potential fire hazards by chewing through wiring.

If you hear scratching, scurrying, squeaking, or thumping noises in your attic, walls, or ceilings, there’s a good chance rodents may already be active inside your home.

Where Rodents Commonly Enter Homes

Many infestations begin through surprisingly small openings around the exterior of the structure. Common rodent entry points include:

• Gaps around HVAC and utility lines
• Dryer vents
• Garage door openings
• Damaged soffits and roof shingles
• Crawlspace vents
• Foundation cracks
• Gaps beneath doors and windows

Because mice and rats can fit through extremely small openings, even minor cracks should be sealed immediately.

Rodent-Proofing Tips for Fall

Preventative maintenance is one of the most effective ways to keep rodents out during the colder months.

Seal Exterior Openings

Inspect your home carefully and seal gaps using durable materials such as:

• Steel wool
• Copper mesh
• Wire mesh screens
• All-weather caulk
• Door sweeps and weather stripping

Avoid relying solely on expanding foam, as rodents can often chew through it.

Eliminate Outdoor Harborage Areas

Rodents are more likely to stay near your property if they have shelter nearby. Reduce hiding spots by:

• Moving firewood piles away from the home
• Removing leaf and brush piles
• Trimming back trees and shrubs touching the structure
• Storing patio furniture and outdoor items neatly

Remove Food and Water Sources

Help make your home less attractive by:

• Keeping trash bins tightly sealed
• Storing food in airtight containers
• Cleaning crumbs and spills promptly
• Repairing leaks and moisture issues

Strange Noises Could Be a Warning Sign

During the fall and winter, homeowners often notice mysterious scratching or scuttling sounds at night. Rodents are nocturnal, so activity is often most noticeable after dark.

In some cases, pest activity may even contribute to electrical issues if wiring becomes damaged. Buzzing, humming, or unusual odors near walls should always be investigated promptly.

Smarter Rodent Protection with Anticimex SMART Technology

At Viking Pest Control, we use advanced rodent monitoring solutions to help detect activity early and prevent infestations before they become severe.

Viking’s Anticimex SMART technology provides around-the-clock monitoring that helps identify rodent pressure areas quickly and efficiently. This eco-friendly system allows our team to respond proactively while minimizing environmental impact.

Combined with professional exclusion work and targeted treatment plans, SMART technology helps homeowners and businesses stay ahead of rodent problems year-round.

Protect Your Home This Fall with Viking Pest Control

Rodent prevention is most effective before pests move indoors for the season. If you’re hearing noises in the walls, spotting droppings, or want help rodent-proofing your property, the team at Viking Pest Control is here to help.

We provide rodent control and exclusion services throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Call 800-618-2847 or visit Viking Pest Control Online for a fast, free estimate today.

While the majority of rodent infestations occur in the cold, winter months during their search for food, water, and shelter, plenty of rodent problems can occur during the summer months as well. Why do mice come in the house in the summer? Well, if a rodent establishes an entry point during either season, they can use that same entry point to gain access to your home all year long and, unfortunately, other rodents and pests can make use of that entry point as well, leading to even more pest-related problems.

The damage that rodents cause to a home can be fairly extensive and a lot of it can go unseen. Most rodents, especially mice and rats, continuously chew, gnawing holes in walls, insulation, siding, and furniture. They can even chew through water pipes! They are also known to chew through electrical wiring which creates a fire hazard. You definitely don’t want these damaging pests hiding out in your walls for too long.

Health Risks of Mice, Rats, and Rodents

Rodents won’t just cause physical damage to your home — they are a health risk for the people and pets living inside the home as well. Most homeowners are aware that rodents are dirty, but they aren’t quite sure of the extent of it and the dangers these dirty pests can cause. Rodents don’t care about the cleanliness; they will journey through trash and sewers looking for food, picking up numerous disease-causing bacteria such as salmonella, leptospirosis, hantavirus, and more as they travel. This bacteria can cause serious health risks to humans when brought inside a household. They also transmit parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites. Rodents tend to leave trails of their urine and feces around which is a sanitary issue, especially in the kitchens and other food preparation areas.

How to Get Rid of and Prevent Mice, Rats, and Rodents

There are many reasons why it is important for homeowners to keep rodents out of their homes. Almost everything that rodents do can pose risks for the residents of the homes they invade. No matter the season, rodents can and will enter homes, especially if that initial entry point has been made already. That is why year-round pest control is so important. For help in eliminating rodent problems in your New Jersey home, contact Viking Pest Control. Our technicians will identify and block entry points, place baits and traps in appropriate places, and remove any trapped rodents we find. Our services are efficient, trustworthy, and capable of providing quick relief for homeowners. You can count on Viking Pest Control to protect your home from rodents and other invading pests all year long!

Keep rodents outside where they belong all year long. Call Viking at 800-618-2847 to learn more about our rodent exclusions and extermination treatments, or get a fast, free quote online today!

If you are encountering rodents in or around your Chatham or Madison home, you may be wondering why they have chosen your home to focus on. There are many factors that make certain properties more attractive to rodents than others. In this article, we will talk about those factors and discuss steps you can take to make your home less attractive…to rodents.

What Are Rodents Looking For?

All animals need food, and rodents are no different. But rodent’s don’t just eat food they ARE food. Because of this, they need places to hide. If your property is offering food and places to hide, then your property is very attractive to rodents. Here are some things, outside, that rodents are attracted to:

• Brush piles and overgrown grass. These are excellent hiding places for rodents and other pests.
• Anything sitting in a yard. This may include toys, automobile parts (or whole automobiles), construction materials, yard decorations, or any other object a rodent can hide behind, inside, or underneath.
• Ornamentals and other vegetation, especially if it is up against a structure. Rodents hide easily in these places.
• Leftover barbecue. Any food left outside will be a huge attractant for rodents.
• Open trash cans. Rodents and other pests love open trash cans!
• Animal food. If you have pet dishes outside, or bird feeders, etc., rodents will love you for it.
• Vegetables or fruit. Leftover veggies from your garden or fruit from trees are food sources for rodents and other pests.
• Water sources. If you have pooled water, leaky spigots, or other water sources, this will mean those rodents can get a drink when they need it.
• Warm spots underneath porches or other sheltered areas. If you have a dryer vent that comes out in a spot that is sheltered, rodents and other animals may make a nest in that area for the warmth.

Rodent Prevention Tips

• Clean up your yard of any places where rodents can hide.
• Make sure there are no food sources left out for rodents.
• Fix leaky water fixtures and try to eliminate places that hold water in your yard.
• Enclose areas underneath porches, decks or patios where rodents can get underneath and build nests.
• Seal up the outside of your foundation and walls so, if rodents do come in close, there are no holes to squeeze through and get into your home.
• Sign up for a year-round pest control program to deal with rodents and a whole host of other pest animals and insects, from in and around your home.

How Viking Pest Control Can Help

The most efficient way to deal with rodents that are plaguing your Morris County property is to get professional help. Call Viking Pest today for prompt, professional assistance, and we will help you make your property a rodent-free zone.

Call Viking at 800-618-2847 to learn more about our rodent control and extermination services, or get a fast, free quote online today!

Leptospirosis (“lepto”) has become an increasing concern for pet owners in New Jersey and the surrounding Tri-State area. With recent cases affecting dogs in Northern New Jersey and New York, it’s important for homeowners to understand what this disease is, how it spreads, and how to reduce the risk of infection.

While leptospirosis is not new, the way it spreads and its potential impact on both animals and humans makes it a serious issue that should not be ignored.

What Is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection commonly spread through the urine of infected wildlife, especially rodents such as rats and squirrels.

Dogs are often exposed when they:

• Drink from puddles or standing water contaminated with infected urine
• Come into contact with contaminated soil or water through their mouth, eyes, or open wounds

Once infected, dogs can pass the bacteria through bodily fluids, creating additional risk for other animals and, in rare cases, humans.

Why Leptospirosis Matters (Zoonotic Risk)

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans.

While human infection is less common, it can occur through:

• Direct contact with infected urine
• Exposure to contaminated water or soil
• Contact with infected animals

Because of this, leptospirosis is both a veterinary and public health concern, especially in areas with high rodent activity.

Symptoms of Leptospirosis

Symptoms can vary widely and may resemble other illnesses, which is why diagnosis is often delayed.

In Dogs and Animals:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Muscle tenderness
• Fatigue or low energy
• Shaking
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin or gums)
• Dehydration

In Humans:

• High fever
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Abdominal pain
• Red eyes
• Jaundice

If left untreated, leptospirosis can progress to severe kidney or liver damage and may become life-threatening.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment Options

Leptospirosis is typically treated with antibiotics. Early detection is critical for both animals and humans, as treatment is most effective in the early stages.

Veterinarians may also recommend supportive care depending on severity.

Prevention for Pets

• Vaccinate dogs annually against leptospirosis
• Prevent drinking from puddles or standing water
• Supervise pets outdoors, especially after rainfall
• Provide clean, safe drinking water during walks or outdoor activity

Prevention for Homeowners

• Address rodent activity quickly and thoroughly
• Eliminate standing water around the property
• Wear gloves when cleaning areas potentially contaminated by rodents
• Wash hands after handling pets or cleaning outdoor areas

How Rodents Spread Leptospirosis

Rodents are one of the primary carriers of leptospirosis. The bacteria can survive in water and soil for weeks or even months after contamination.

Infected animals may show no symptoms, which makes the spread even harder to detect. This is why rodent control plays a major role in reducing leptospirosis risk around homes and businesses.

Rodent Control

The most effective long-term prevention method is reducing rodent populations around your property.

Professional rodent control programs, such as SMART monitoring systems, help detect activity early and prevent infestations before they grow. These systems can provide continuous monitoring and early warnings of rodent presence, helping reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Prevent Leptospirosis with Viking Pest Control

Leptospirosis is a serious but preventable disease. While the overall risk to humans remains relatively low, the impact on pets—especially dogs—can be severe.

Understanding how it spreads and taking proactive steps to control rodents, protect pets, and eliminate exposure to contaminated water sources can significantly reduce risk for both your household and your community. We at Viking are here to help. Contact us today!

In the fall, all pests have one goal in mind: find shelter. Winter is long and cold, and the average mouse doesn’t want to be caught outside in it any more than people do. So, they will quietly hunt for that one place where they know that they can get all their needs met without even having to go out in the cold... inside an unsuspecting family’s home. It offers everything a mouse could possibly need: a ready supply of food and water, and a warm place to nest.

Somewhere around mid-winter or even later the homeowner might discover that they have been harboring furry little fugitives all season. Whether they find evidence of chewed pantry items or little presents in the kitchen towel drawer, the signs are there that mice have invaded. The average homeowner might think to themselves that it is just a few mice and that they will go back outside once the weather gets a bit warmer in the spring or they may think that mice belong outside and they will just go on their own in a few weeks. These are comforting theories, but they have no basis in fact.

Why Mice Live Inside Your Home

Mice may not be at the top of the food chain, but they are still clever animals. They know that the human habitat has given them everything that they need for survival without pesky problems like owls or other birds of prey, stray cats, or any other creature who might do them harm. These house mice have at their disposal plenty of soft nesting materials right within the walls or even in the linen closet and a kitchen full of food and water that magically seems to replenish itself for them and all without having to search very hard at all. Now, it’s true that they will go outside in the spring because mice do like it outside, but it is also true that they will be back each evening before nightfall to relax with their growing family inside the walls.

How Quickly Do Mice Breed?

It is a bad idea to dismiss mice as a harmless addition to the home, or expect that the family cat and some store-bought mouse traps will take care of them. It is possible that the only evidence that has been seen is from one or two mice, or perhaps one has even been spotted darting across the floor, but what started out as just a few mice in November will quite likely become 15 or 20 mice by February, and the numbers will continue to grow. Mice breed phenomenally fast given the right conditions. It will not be long before that population doubles or triples and real problems begin for the human family that lives there.

What Damage Can Mice Cause on a Home?

Mice have been known to cause an extraordinary amount of damage in homes for creatures that are so small. They have razor sharp teeth that they keep honed on the woodwork, drywall, and even wiring in your home. More than one home has been lost due to fires caused by chewing mice. These creatures also carry several diseases and fleas that no one wants introduced to their homes. Salmonella, hantavirus, and typhus are some of the illnesses that mice transmit to people. Mice also leave behind a lot of waste which then gets in the air and can cause severe asthma symptoms, especially in children.

If there is evidence of a mouse in the house, it is time to give Viking Pest Control a call. Do not fall for the old wives’ tale that they will leave on their own accord. A call to us will have one of our experts at your doorstep before you know it to do a thorough inspection of your home and to discuss the safest and most effective means to rid your house of mice.

OutSMART Unwanted Guests

Anticimex SMART is an intelligent, environmentally-friendly pest control system that keeps an eye on mice activity, unlike anything currently on the market. Anticimex SMART operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and all four seasons of the year.  It predicts and prevents costly mouse infestations as it tracks rodent activity. 

Don’t let mice become permanent house guests, give us a call today.

Call Viking at 800-618-2847 to learn more about SMART mice pest control and extermination services, or get a fast, free quote online today!

Do you ever wonder why mice squeak? The sound is faint and high-pitched, almost cute when you hear it. Mouse chatter is adorable, right? No. When mice squeak, you need to be alert. When you hear mice squeak, it is time to call your local pest control professionals right away. You definitely have a mouse problem on your hands.

All About Mice Squeaks

Mice are rodents. They are small little pests that can sneak into small places, eat your food, and spread diseases in your home. When you hear the pattering and scratching of little feet in the middle of the night, take notice.

Mice are also good communicators. That is why you hear the squeak so often. Mice use their squeak to speak with other mice, to reveal emotion, and to reward. It is their own little language. What you can’t hear are all the different pitches and tones of mouse chatter. Mice can make both ultrasonic and audible sounds. That is why those big ears on the tops of their heads come in handy. The more vocal the mouse, the worse the problem.

Squeaks are more frequent and elaborate during and after reproduction. A male mouse uses an intricate squeak pattern when he is courting and reproducing with a female. Once the babies are born, the babies squeak for their mother when she leaves them and when she returns. Female mice squeak most often when they are near other female mice.

So, why is this a problem? When you hear mice squeak, that means they are communicating with other mice nearby. If you hear them at night, the mice in your walls, attic, and basement are talking to the other mice in your home. So, that single mouse you think you have is likely just one of many mice in your home.

Why You Don’t Have Only One Mouse

It is hard to convince people that they have more than one mouse in their home. You do. Mice reproduce rapidly and they are excellent hiders. If mice have a sustainable food source, which they get from your floors, counters, cupboards and pantry, and a warm place to nest and hide, they will reproduce and thrive. This is a problem.

Mice may be small and their chatter may be cute to some, but they spread disease and illness. Mice scurry across the floor, which means all the bacteria, E.coli and salmonella on the floor ends up slathered across your home and on your food. They also leave droppings wherever they are. Mice poop is dangerous. If you try to sweep or wipe up mice feces, it releases a contaminant in the air that can cause illness and breathing issues in people with breathing and chronic respiratory illnesses.

How to Get Rid of Mice

If you hear mice in your home, get them out and keep them out for good. Your health and the health of your family depends on it. You cannot control mice on your own because it is difficult to diagnose to what extent your mouse infestation is. If you do try to get rid of mice or clean up their feces on your own, you can make yourself and your family ill. Don’t take the chance. Call Viking Pest Control before your mice squeaks escalate and the mouse population gets out of control in your home.

Call Viking at 800-618-2847 to learn more about mice pest control and extermination services, or get a fast, free quote online today!