The most recent heat wave has not caused a surge of rodent activity in Cherokee County, but the time for preventive measures should start now.

Tyler Nipper, general manager of Cherokee Pest Control, said this time of year is when people should begin making preparations to homes and vehicles to ward off rodents.

“A lot of times, people see an influx of mice trying to find a place to harbor in the fall, with the mice anticipating the cool weather approaching,” Nipper said.

The biggest way to prevent the critters from making an appearance in a home is to keep lawns manicured and grasses near buildings trimmed. Nipper said shorter grass will be a natural deterrent to rodents. Birds are the main predators of rodents, so a manicured lawn allows them to hunt mice more easily.