Rodent Control Rodents can cause destruction, disease, and danger.
ABOUT RODENTS
With their propensity for destruction and spreading illness wherever they roam, rodents are perhaps the most serious pest concern in Yardley. People who suspect that rodents are infesting their property are encouraged to seek immediate assistance from a licensed exterminator.
Species such as the deer mouse, house mouse, white-footed mouse, Norway rat, roof rat and woodrat are widely recognized for their ability to wreak havoc in households and businesses. They cause damage to structures, contaminate food and transmit a range of sicknesses to people and pets.
Accordingly, swift action is recommended to correct the problem. DIY methods rarely are effective, most often because they are the wrong treatment or they are misused. Trusting a local pest management company yields far different results. With their ability to identify the pest and use guaranteed eradication methods, these technicians can end an infestation in surprisingly little time.
APPEARANCE
Rodents come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Proper identification is the first step toward ending the infestation, and exterminators are skilled at this task.
Most deer mice measure approximately nine inches including their long tails. With their gray or reddish-brown fur, this mouse has coloration that is similar to that of the local deer population. Their round-shaped bodies are another distinctive characteristic.
At a total length of about four inches, the house mouse is shorter and sleeker. Additionally, their fur typically is brown or black.
White-footed mice are approximately the same length as deer mice. The fur on their backs may even be similar in color. However, their feet and stomachs are distinctively white, which gives this species its name.
At about 16 inches long, the roof rat is a fearsome pest. It is bulky and covered in gray or brown fur that appears shaggy and unkempt. Scaly skin covers their tails and ears.
The sleeker Norway rat may measure almost the same length. They also have scaly ears and tails, and their fur color may be similar. However, their fur is much smoother.
The woodrat or packrat has a tail that resembles that of a squirrel as well as oversized ears. They are completely covered in dark brown fur, including their ears.
DIET
Most rodents are considered omnivorous feeders because of their ability to survive on both plant and animal sources. Frequent foods include seeds, nuts, grains, fruits, insects and small animals.
Inside homes, most edible items are vulnerable to exploitation by rodents. Pasta, bread, cereal, peanut butter, cheese, meat and pet food are just a few examples.
HABITATS
The adaptable rodent is found in virtually every ecosystem on the planet. Many of the species in this category prefer to live in close proximity to humans because manmade structures provide them with shelter, food, water and nesting materials.
Rodents have a variety of preferred nesting locations, which may largely depend upon their species. While some prefer to nest high up in trees, others are more likely to be found in underground burrows. Likely nesting spots include hollow logs, rock piles, abandoned animal burrows and woodpiles. These nests may be lined with a variety of fibers that are gathered by the adult rodents. Desirable nesting materials include hair, fur, feathers, leaves, shredded fabric and insulation.
Overall, rodents prefer dark, secluded spots for nesting. This means that they are most frequently discovered in out-of-the-way places when they live in human habitations. These places include sheds, garages, basements and attics, although nests have been found in drawers, cupboards, pantries and beneath major appliances.
PROBLEMS WITH RODENTS
A host of problems is connected to a rodent infestation. All species of this order have incisors that never cease growing. Accordingly, they chew on everything they encounter. They use their teeth to make larger access points in building, then they gnaw on all sorts of structural elements, furniture, books, clothing, artwork and heirlooms. In some cases, they are responsible for the loss of thousands of dollars' worth of personal items.
Structural damage is common in buildings with rodent infestations. From holes in walls and floors to destroyed insulation and severed electrical wires, this damage can range from minor to catastrophic. Some infestations are even associated with fires and plumbing leaks.
Additionally, rodents contaminate any human or pet food with which they come into contact. All of this food must be thrown away to avoid a serious illness.
BEHAVIOR
Most rodents are nocturnal. They emerge at dusk to forage for food and to eat while the daylight hours are reserved for resting. This helps them avoid the notice of many predators, including people.
Rodents prefer to stay in dark, little used places. They try not to travel where there is no cover, which means that they are likely to use "runs" that are close to walls.
A person who accidentally traps or corners a rodent is advised to be prepared for an aggressive reaction from the animal. Bites and scratches are common, and these injuries can be serious because of infection.
HEALTH ISSUES
With the known ability to carry nearly 40 different illnesses that can be transmitted to people, rodents represent a critical health threat. Touching a rodent, being exposed to its waste products or encountering the fleas and ticks that commonly infest small animals all may make people sick.
Common illnesses include Lyme disease, rat-bite fever and food poisoning. Less common sicknesses may include Hantavirus and the plague. Even allergy symptoms may be exacerbated by the presence of rodents and their waste products, making prompt extermination crucial.
SIGNS OF A RODENT INFESTATION
Typical signs of a rodent control issue include:
• Sounds of squeaking or rustling behind walls • Small piles of droppings • Nests discovered in dark, sheltered places • Gnaw marks on small items
PREVENTION TIPS
Effective tips to avoid prevent rodent issues include the following:
• Cover up all holes in building exteriors • Regularly clean garbage cans • Do not allow vegetation to touch buildings • Use only glass or metal containers with lids to store food • Do not keep food on table tops
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, DIY treatment methods often fail because they are not powerful enough or because they are not used properly.
A licensed rodent exterminator has a variety of techniques to end the infestation. These include methods of excluding rodents from re-entering the building as well as traps and chemical control.
If you suspect a rodent control issue in your Yardley home or office, call the professional team of licensed exterminators at SafeGuard Pest Control, LLC today.
