Rodent Control Rodents can cause destruction, disease, and danger.
ABOUT RODENTS
Rodents are a high-risk pest infestation that can cause widespread destruction in addition to serious illness. Because the risk is so great, it is never advisable for property owners to attempt DIY treatments.
When the deer mouse, house mouse, white-footed mouse, roof rat, Norway rat or woodrat infest a Warminster home or office, professional pest control is the only viable option. With the assistance of an exterminator, it is possible to restore hygienic conditions and protect people from getting sick.
APPEARANCE
The deer mouse is a common species found in the region. Its rounded body is covered in reddish-brown or gray fur. Including their tails, they may measure as much as 8.75".
Another common species is the 3.75" house mouse. Their sleek, small bodies feature brown or black fur, although white hair is found on their stomachs.
White-footed mice are close to the deer mouse in size and in the coloration of the fur on their backs. White fur covers their stomachs and feet.
At 16" long, the stocky roof rat is fearsome. It is mostly covered with shaggy gray or brown fur with the exception of the scaly tail and ears.
Sleek Norway rats are approximately the same length as roof rats. However, they have sleeker bodies and smoother fur.
Woodrats, also called packrats, are covered in dark brown fur. Unlike Norway rats and roof rats, their tails and ears are fur-covered rather than sporting scaly skin.
DIET
Rodents are omnivorous, which is one of the adaptations that enables them to survive virtually anywhere. Most species show a marked preference for seeds, grains and nuts, but they also may eat insects, meat, plants, fruits and vegetables when in the wild.
All edible items are on the menu for the rodent in a human habitation. From peanut butter to pet food, all food that is not properly stored is vulnerable and may have to be thrown away if it is contaminated.
HABITATS
Rodents may be found in virtually all ecosystems, from deserts to mountains and everything in between. Most species tend to live in underground, secluded burrows that provide shelter not only from the elements but also predators.
Similar conditions are sought within human habitations. This means that nests may be placed in wall voids or beneath major appliances. Drawers, cupboards, closets and pantries provide other nesting areas.
PROBLEMS WITH RODENTS
With their constantly growing incisors, rodents are compelled to chew without ceasing. Their teeth are powerful, enabling them to tear through items that seem like they would be too sturdy to destroy.
These destructive tendencies are among the chief problems associated with rodents. Members of the species look for holes and cracks in building exteriors that they can gnaw on to make larger. Once they gain access to the building, they begin looking for food and water and foraging for nesting material.
These explorations lead rodents to chew on everything from sheetrock to bed linens. Upholstered furniture, books, wooden support beams, plumbing pipes and electrical wires all may be destroyed. The economic and emotional losses can be enormous.
Additionally, rodents can behave aggressively when cornered. A bite or scratch is dangerous. Surprising a rodent in the midst of their foraging may lead to an attack that requires immediate medical care.
BEHAVIOR
Rodents are most active at night when they are less likely to be confronted by people and other predators. Nonetheless, fierce food competition may force rodents to be active during the day when the population is large.
Mice and rats tend to not expose themselves in open areas. Instead, they scurry along walls, which leaves grease marks that are one of the telltale signs of an infestation. They usually move quickly, a ploy that also minimizes their exposure.
While some rodent species are curious, others are shyer and avoid new items. An inexpertly placed trap may be ineffective because it is unfamiliar. This is one reason why it is advisable to rely on an expert exterminator.
HEALTH ISSUES
With the capacity to transmit as many as 35 diseases to humans, a rodent infestation is dangerous. People may become ill from handling a rodent, being bitten or scratched, being exposed to rodent waste or from eating contaminated food. Even the fleas, ticks and other pests that may cling to rodents may be responsible for making people sick.
Illnesses associated with rodent infestations range from respiratory ailments to the plague and Hantavirus. Among the most common sicknesses is salmonellosis, a form of food poisoning.
While some illnesses that are caused by rodents are inconvenient, others are far more serious. This may result in lost workdays and income as well as hospital stay and expensive, ongoing medical treatments.
SIGNS OF A RODENT INFESTATION
Indications of a rodent problem include the following:
• Rustling and squeaking noises behind walls • Gnaw marks are discovered on furniture • Cats and dogs appear agitated without apparent reason • Walls are marked with grease spots from rodent fur • Nests are found in drawers, closets and other dark places • Unexplained urine odors indoors • Rodent droppings found within buildings
PREVENTION TIPS
To help prevent rodent issues, take the following precautions:
• Do not leave dirty dishes in sinks • Store food using glass or metal containers with lids • Remove crumbs and spills from throughout the house as soon as they occur • Regularly dust, vacuum and mop to get rid of food particles and dirt • Use only garbage cans with tight lids • Do not allow trees and plants to touch buildings • Cover up or seal any holes and cracks in building exteriors
RODENT CONTROL
Determining the difference between a mouse and a rat is a homeowner’s main dilemma where extermination is concerned. That is because species identification can play a crucial role in successfully eliminating a rodent problem.
Additionally, the impulse to simply set a couple of mouse traps is common when mice are seen by property owners. Unfortunately, this course of action is not effective in the event of an infestation. Traps alone may be able to eliminate a few individuals, but large numbers of mice typically require the services of a rodent control professional.
A licensed rodent exterminator has a variety of techniques to end the infestation. This will include methods of excluding rodents from re-entering the building as well as traps and chemical control. With all of these precautions, it is possible to return a home or office to a safe and hygienic state.
If you suspect a rodent control issue, call the professional team of licensed exterminators at SafeGuard Pest Control, LLC today. We can determine if you have a mouse or rat problem in your Warminster home or office, and then proceed to implementing the best, most effective treatments.
