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Loyalty Termite

Loyalty Termite

Written by: Loyalty Termite
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 Call Ceyron Cran, Phone: (302) 386-3999 Earth Sciences Science
Episodes
  • The “Invisible” Invitations: 5 Rodent Entry Points Most Delaware Homeowners Miss

    The “Invisible” Invitations: 5 Rodent Entry Points Most Delaware Homeowners Miss
    Feb 4 2026
    Listen, I’ve spent years crawling through crawlspaces and peering into attics across the First State. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that a mouse doesn’t need a front door and a welcome mat to move into your home. In Delaware, we deal with everything from house mice to hefty Norway rats. Most homeowners think they’re safe because their windows are shut and their doors are locked. But rodents aren’t looking for a handle; they’re looking for a gap the size of a dime. At Loyalty Pest Control, we see the same “invisible” entry points overlooked time and time again. If you want to keep the uninvited guests out this season, you need to look where they look. Here are the top five spots you’re probably missing. 1. The “Utility Highway” (Pipe and Line Gaps) Look under your kitchen sink or behind your laundry unit. Where those PVC pipes or copper lines go through the drywall, is there a gap? Most builders leave a “collar” of space around the pipe. To a rodent, that’s a climate-controlled tunnel leading straight from your cozy walls to your pantry. The Fix: Don’t just use expanding foam—rats can chew through that like cotton candy. Use stainless steel wool packed tightly around the pipe, then seal it with caulk. 2. Corner Posts and Siding J-Channels If you have vinyl siding, take a walk outside and look at the very bottom of your corner posts. Often, these are hollow and open at the bottom. Mice can climb up the inside of that corner post like a chimney, gaining access to the soffits and eventually your attic. The Fix: We use specialized “corner guards” or hardware cloth to plug these openings without ruining the look of your siding. 3. The Garage Door “Smile” Does your garage door seal perfectly against the floor, or is there a tiny daylight gap at the corners? Over time, the rubber weatherstripping on the bottom of garage doors gets brittle or chewed. If you can see light under the door, a mouse can see an open invitation. The Fix: Replace the bottom seal and consider adding “pest-proof” weatherstripping that contains a wire mesh core. 4. Roof Intersections and Dormers I can’t tell you how many homeowners are shocked when I find a nest in the attic. “How did they get up there?” they ask. Mice are Olympic-level climbers. Where two rooflines meet—especially where a lower roof tucks under an upper eave—there is often a gap in the fascia board. The Fix: This requires a ladder and a keen eye. These gaps need to be flashed with metal or sealed with heavy-duty hardware cloth. 5. The AC Condenser Line Follow the insulated copper line from your outdoor AC unit into your house. That hole is a notorious culprit. The “thumb gum” or putty used by HVAC installers to seal that hole often dries out and falls away after a few Delaware summers, leaving a perfect mouse-sized highway. The Fix: Check this every spring and fall. Reseal it with a high-quality exterior silicone or a specialized wall sleeve. The Bottom Line Rodents aren’t just a nuisance; they’re a health hazard and a fire risk (they love chewing on wires). When we come out for a Loyalty Pest Control inspection, we don’t just look at where the mice are—we look at how they got there. Success in pest control isn’t just about setting traps; it’s about “excluding” them from the start. Take a walk around your home today with a flashlight and a critical eye. You might be surprised at what you find. Is your home truly sealed up? If you’re worried you might have missed a spot, I can help. Would you like me to put together a DIY inspection checklist you can use to audit your home’s exterior this weekend? The post The “Invisible” Invitations: 5 Rodent Entry Points Most Delaware Homeowners Miss appeared first on Loyalty Termite and Pest Control Wilmington Deleware.
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    6 mins
  • When the Frost Bites, the Mice Bite Back: A Survival Guide for Delaware Homeowners

    When the Frost Bites, the Mice Bite Back: A Survival Guide for Delaware Homeowners
    Jan 27 2026
    Listen, I’ve been in the pest control game here in Delaware for a long time. At Loyalty Pest Control, we’ve seen it all—from the salt marshes of Lewy to the historic streets of Wilmington. But there is one thing you can set your watch by: the second that first real winter cold snap hits, my phone starts ringing off the hook. It’s not a coincidence. When the temperature drops, rodents like mice and rats don’t just get “uncomfortable”—they go into survival mode. Here is the straight talk on why your home suddenly looks like a 5-star resort to a field mouse. 1. The Search for the “Thermal Easy Street” Just like us, rodents are warm-blooded. When that Delaware wind chill starts whipping off the Delaware Bay, a rodent’s internal body temperature becomes their number one priority. Their natural outdoor burrows or nests in tall grass just don’t cut it when the ground freezes. Your home is essentially a giant radiator. Between your HVAC system, the insulation in your attic, and the heat radiating from your appliances, you are putting out a beacon of warmth that rodents can sense from a distance. 2. The “Calorie Crunch” In the summer, the Brandywine Valley is a buffet. There are seeds, insects, and berries everywhere. But once a cold snap hits, the buffet closes. Rodents need more calories in the winter just to stay warm, yet there is less food available. Your pantry, the crumbs under the toaster, and even your pet’s food bowl represent a life-saving energy source. They aren’t just “visiting”; they are scavenging for their lives. 3. If They Can Fit Their Head, They’re Fed People often ask me, “Ceyron, how did they even get in? My doors were shut!” Here is the reality: A house mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. A rat only needs a hole the size of a quarter. During a cold snap, rodents become incredibly motivated. They will find that tiny gap where the utility line meets the siding, or that slightly worn weather stripping on the garage door. Ceyron’s Pro Tip: If you can see light daylight through a crack or feel a draft, a mouse sees that as an open-door policy. What Can You Do? Don’t wait for the first “scritch-scratch” in the walls to take action. Here is my “Loyalty Checklist” for the winter: Seal the Gaps: Use steel wool and caulk around pipes and vents. Mice can’t chew through steel wool. Check the Attic: Insulation is a rodent’s favorite bedding. If you see “tunnels” in your fiberglass, you’ve got company. Manage the Perimeters: Keep firewood piles at least 20 feet away from the house. That’s just a staging ground for an indoor invasion. We’ve Got Your Back At Loyalty Pest Control, we don’t just put down a few traps and call it a day. we look at the biology of the pest and the structural integrity of your Delaware home. We treat your house like it’s our own—with loyalty and local pride. Stay warm out there, Delaware. And remember: if the mice move in, give us a holler. The post When the Frost Bites, the Mice Bite Back: A Survival Guide for Delaware Homeowners appeared first on Loyalty Termite and Pest Control Wilmington Deleware.
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    6 mins
  • Winter Invaders: Why Mice, Rats, and Roaches Are Inside Your Home Right Now

    Winter Invaders: Why Mice, Rats, and Roaches Are Inside Your Home Right Now
    Jan 20 2026
    Listen, I’ve been in the Delaware pest control game for a long time, and if there is one thing I know, it’s that pests don’t take a “winter break.” While we’re all inside cranking up the heat and getting cozy, the local wildlife and creepy-crawlies are doing the exact same thing. In the industry, we call this “overwintering.” But to you, it just feels like an invasion. Here is the honest truth about why your home is currently the hottest club in town for mice, rats, and roaches. 1. The Search for the “Golden Thermostat” Just like us, pests are biological creatures that can’t survive the Delaware deep freeze. When the ground freezes in New Castle or Kent County, the survival instinct kicks in. Mice and Rats: These guys are mammals. Their body temperatures drop just like ours. Your attic insulation isn’t just “stuffing” to them; it’s a high-end sleeping bag. Roaches: Specifically the German Cockroach, they can’t handle the cold at all. They seek out the warmth radiating from the back of your refrigerator motor or your dishwasher. 2. The “buffet” remains open In the summer, pests have plenty of options outside—seeds, fallen fruit, and insects. In the winter, the outdoor grocery store closes down. Your kitchen becomes the only reliable food source for miles. A few crumbs under the toaster or a bag of dog food left open in the garage is a five-star meal. Remember, a mouse only needs about 3 to 5 grams of food a day to thrive. That’s basically nothing to us, but it’s a feast for them. 3. Nature’s “Open Door” Policy You might think your home is sealed tight, but pests are experts at finding the “structural whispers”—those tiny gaps you don’t even see. The Quarter Rule: A mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. A rat only needs a hole the size of a quarter. Expansion and Contraction: Winter weather causes materials like wood and vinyl to contract, often opening up small gaps around utility pipes or door frames that weren’t there in July. What Can You Do About It? I always tell my customers: Prevention is cheaper than an extraction. Here’s my “Loyalty Checklist” for a pest-free winter: Seal the Gaps: Use steel wool and caulk around pipe entries. Mice can’t chew through steel wool (it hurts their teeth!). Manage the Moisture: Roaches and silverfish are attracted to humidity. If you have a leaky pipe under the sink, fix it now. Clean the “Hidden” Spots: Pull out your stove and fridge. You’d be surprised how much grease and crumbs accumulate there over a year. Watch the Firewood: If you’re burning wood this winter, keep the pile at least 20 feet away from the house. It’s a literal hotel for wood-boring pests and rodents. The Loyalty Promise At the end of the day, your home is your sanctuary. You shouldn’t have to share it with roommates who don’t pay rent and carry diseases. If you’re hearing scratching in the walls or seeing “pepper flakes” (roach droppings) in the cabinets, don’t wait for spring. They aren’t going to leave on their own. Stay warm, stay vigilant, and remember—we’ve got your back. The post Winter Invaders: Why Mice, Rats, and Roaches Are Inside Your Home Right Now appeared first on Loyalty Termite and Pest Control Wilmington Deleware.
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    6 mins
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