The brutal heat of Phoenix drives air conditioning systems practically year-round, creating warm, protected places that seem to be just begging to host pests. Not only are your rooftop AC units and attic spaces cooling your home, they are also potentially giving mice everything they need to settle in and form a thriving colony above your head.
Mice are capable of squeezing through holes the size of a dime, so no home is safe from infestation, even those considered well-maintained. When the situation of mice crosses prevention methods, rodent control in Phoenix is essential to safeguard your health and property.
How do rooftop AC units and attic spaces in Phoenix attract mice?
1. Consistent Warmth in Desert Climate
While the temperatures outside your home can plummet at night during the winter months, the ground surrounding your AC unit never truly freezes. The warmth of the condenser unit creates a local weather system that mice can enjoy throughout the calendar year.
2. Abundant Shelter Opportunities
Air conditioning units themselves can offer several hiding places with ductwork, insulation, and housing parts. These spaces are where mice can travel and create massive tunnel systems between your roof and your attic. HVAC systems have a maze-like structure, providing safety against predators and bad weather.
3. Access to Water Sources
Air conditioning units naturally create condensation, which becomes a known and reliable water source for mice. This continued supply of moisture is particularly valuable in Phoenix’s dry climate. For reference, the recent reports estimate that an average home AC unit in Phoenix can generate 5-20 gallons of condensation per day during peak summer months.
4. Food Storage Possibilities
Some attics have boxes of clothing, stripped-down Christmas decorations, and maybe the food container you forgot to take down last fall. Any crumbs lying around or pet food kept in garages near the entrance to attics will cause these rodents to enter the upper parts of your home.
What To Do If There Are Mice In Your Home?
1. Identify Entry Points and Damage
First, check your rooftop AC and attic access points for signs of mouse activity. Search for droppings, chewed wires, or tiny holes around ductwork. In the arid conditions of Phoenix, mice can do severe damage to insulation and electrical areas, leading to fire hazards.
2. Seal Immediate Access Routes
Seal up any holes you find around where your AC unit connects to your home with some steel wool and caulk. Be extra sure to check out where refrigerant lines enter your home; these are some of the most common access points mice take advantage of.
3. Set Up Strategic Trapping Systems
Set snap traps around your attic and near the bottom of your AC unit. Bait with PB or dry fruit; both work well in Phoenix’s low humidity. Timely check and reset traps, as they are often less efficient after a catch.
4. Professional Assessment and Treatment
For established mouse colonies, companies like Green Mango Pest Control also offer complete inspection services to discover the level of infestation. They have professional equipment that helps them identify nesting locations that private homeowners could never safely enter in AC systems and attic areas.
5. Sanitize and Prevent Recontamination
After the mice are removed, disinfectants should be used to clean the affected areas. Damaged insulation should be removed, and all chewed wires fixed to prevent both mouse infestation and fire risk. As we know, this step in Phoenix is critical because broken AC systems can lead to costly cooling breakdowns during the peak heat!
Remember, rodent control is important in Phoenix. And if you want to stay pest-free throughout the year, make sure to speak to a professional pest control service today!
