Rodents cause damage to buildings with their sharp incisors. They contaminate food, spread disease through droppings and urine, and can chew holes in walls and attics.
Keeping rodents away includes regularly disposing of garbage, storing food in airtight containers, and eliminating clutter. It also means sealing entry points with steel wool, caulk or metal sheeting, especially around doors and windows and where utilities enter a building. Contact Rodent Removal Texas now!
Rodents are warm-blooded mammals that share the world with humans. They have oversized front teeth designed for gnawing, cheek teeth that are adapted for chewing, and fur. They are capable of carrying diseases and can cause serious property damage in and around homes. Their urine and dander can also trigger allergies and asthma in susceptible individuals.
Rats are very good climbers and can enter the home through roofs, vents, chimneys, or walls. They can also dig holes and gnaw through walls and foundations to access interior living areas. They have a strong sense of smell and can detect pheromones from other rats and even humans.
You can help prevent a rat infestation by eliminating food sources, water, and shelter that attract rodents. You can also de-clutter your home and store food in sealed containers. You should also close up any entrance points that mice and rats might use to get into your house. This can be done by putting steel wool in cracks, sealing holes, installing grates over drains and screens over vents, and caulking gaps.
If you suspect that you have a rat problem, the best course of action is to contact your local pest control experts. Depending on the severity of your infestation, your pest control company will decide on a treatment plan. Treatment options include traditional traps, chemicals, and fumigation. Traditional traps include snap, glue, and bait traps that can be placed near rat activity. Chemicals are often used in conjunction with traps to augment the effectiveness of the bait, and fumigation is usually reserved for severe rat infestations that do not respond to other treatments.
You should note that it takes rodents time to settle in a new environment and begin colony building and reproduction. They will be a threat until they have gotten comfortable in their new habitat and found sources of food, water, and shelter. This process can take 6 to 10 months under favorable conditions. During this period, the rodents will be attracted to your home for its food, water, and shelter. They can also carry diseases and contaminate your home with their urine, droppings, saliva, dander, and hair.
Mice
Rodents are a serious problem because they contaminate food, damage homes and buildings, and spread diseases. They breed quickly, and they can squeeze into tiny cracks and crevices to get inside homes. They also carry fleas and mites that can bite people and animals, spreading such illnesses as leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, and tularemia. They can even gnaw through electrical wires and cause house fires.
To keep mice and rats out of the home:
- Remove their food and shelter.
- Store trash in airtight containers and clean up spills immediately.
- Eliminate areas where they may find shelter, such as stacks of wood or debris, piles of fabric, and the attic.
- Make sure crawl spaces and cabinets aren’t overcrowded, and check the attic for nests.
- Keep bird feeders away from the house, and clear up fallen fruit and branches that touch the roof.
Rats and mice can squeeze through holes 1/4 inch wide or bigger, so prevent them from entering by sealing the openings around pipes, doors, and vents, both indoors and out. Use caulk, weather stripping, and steel wool to close entry points. Install pipe collars wherever pipes meet walls, and use grates over drains and screens over vents. Use door sweeps and window seals, and use metal mesh for gable vents.
Mice can also chew through wires, leading to a house fire. They also chew and gnaw on support beams, rafters, and cabinetry. They often gnaw through the rubber coating of electrical wires, which can create an electrical fire hazard and lead to costly repairs. They can also gnaw through foundation piers, creating a pathway into the home.
Mice are more likely than rats to invade a home, partly because they can get in through smaller openings and because they can gnaw through wood and plastic. Preventing rodents starts with exclusion and sanitation, but a professional pest control company can also help with traps and repellents. When using a trap, choose snap traps or glue traps that are easy to set and bait. Avoid using poisons, which can harm pets and children. If you decide to call a pest control professional, be sure they are Ecowise or GreenShield certified and familiar with Integrated Pest Management practices.
Squirrels
Squirrels can cause serious problems for homeowners, especially if they get into attics. There, they can chew holes in soffits and roofs, and destroy insulation. They also love to gnaw on wires and ducts, which can create fire hazards. They can also damage landscaping, strip bark from trees and ornamental plants, and dig holes in yards to bury their acorns.
Rats, mice, and squirrels all can enter homes through small cracks and holes in eaves and roofs, as well as from open vents. Sealing up these potential entry points can cut down on rodent infestations and prevent them from reoccurring. For a permanent solution, you can also opt for exclusion services to keep the animals away.
During this service, pest control experts will locate the possible entry points into your home, and then use one-way traps to remove the animals. The professionals can also offer advice about preventing future infestations.
Rodents are adept swimmers, and can easily crawl up into attics through sewer lines. This can make it difficult to spot an infestation unless you look carefully. You can also check for signs by listening for scurrying noises or looking for droppings in the attic space.
Rats and mice reproduce at an astonishing rate, so it is important to take precautionary measures to keep them out of your house. You can also install a chimney cap, vent covers, and fences to deter the animals from entering your home.
Squirrels also breed at a fast rate and can wreak havoc in your home. They are notorious for digging holes in the lawn to bury their acorns and other nuts. They will even chew through drywall to get at the food they have buried inside, causing expensive and unattractive damage.
If you notice these signs, call a pest control company as soon as possible. A top-rated company like Bulwark or Orkin will have specialists with wildlife control licenses and be able to help you deal with squirrels. A professional will be able to identify the number of squirrels in your attic or other areas, and perform effective trapping and removal.
Other Rodents
Rodents (order Rodentia) are a diverse group of mammals, comprising over 2,050 living species. Although mice, rats and squirrels tend to be the pests that cause the most damage in homes and businesses, other rodents such as chipmunks, groundhogs, beavers and possums can also cause problems. Regardless of their type, all rodents are capable of chewing through a wide range of materials in their search for food and shelter, and they leave behind greasy rub marks and chewed electrical wires as they scurry about.
In addition, rodents spread diseases and contaminate property with their droppings, creating unsanitary conditions. And because they breed at an incredible rate, by the time you see one mouse or rat in your home or business, there are likely many more that have gone undetected.
The best rodent control strategy involves a combination of preventive measures and extermination techniques. These include storing all foods in airtight containers, wiping up any spills or crumbs immediately and cleaning pet food dishes regularly. Keeping the outside of your property free of clutter and debris is another important deterrent, as rats and other rodents are more attracted to overgrown vegetation and piles of wood where they can build nests and lay eggs.
Preventing rodent infestations is not always easy, however, especially since they can enter your home through even the smallest of cracks or holes. Check the attic frequently to make sure there are no openings, and seal any that you find. Also, inspect and repair any areas where utility cables or plumbing pipes enter the house.
Whether they are looking for food or a place to nest, rodents will quickly chew through anything in their path, including plastic and wire. They may also chew through insulation, which can create a fire hazard and cause short circuits within your wiring. If you think your house has been damaged by rodents, contact an electrician right away.
Despite their cuteness, chipmunks are notorious for burrowing in attics and damaging chimneys. Similarly, squirrels can damage your roof, dig holes in your yard and destroy flower beds.