There are various types of rodents that can easily access your property. However, the most common ones causing damages to properties are rats and mice. When left uncontrolled, an infestation will not only cause damages to the property but may also result in various health-related issues.
Since rodents can cause property damage and spread diseases, it is necessary that you know how to identify one and learn to get rid of them. You should familiarize yourself with the kinds of rodents that may invade your property.
Identifying Common Types of Rodents Found in Homes
Here are the most common rodents that are seen in homes.
House Mouse
House mice generally nest in dark, isolated areas. They can jump up to 1' high and are great climbers. House mice chew through materials. These rodents are known to cause electrical fires by chewing on electrical wiring.
They can spread diseases such as Salmonella and tapeworms as well as contaminate stored food. House mice are colour blind and have poor vision, but the other senses of these rodents are very keen. They can fit through small openings.
House mice are usually either dusty gray or black in colour. They like to nibble viciously, particularly on food left out on the table or in the pantry.
Since they hide in groups, you should keep all storage areas clean. It is also important to store boxes off the ground or floor. Keep food in sealed containers.
Deer Mice
This type of rodent prefers to nest in log piles, tree hollows, fence posts, and rural areas. Their tail is bi-coloured – usually half-white and half-brown.
Deer mice are seldom an issue in residential areas, but they can invade your home during winter while looking for refuge from the cold weather. They pose a major threat to human health because they’re the most common Hantavirus carrier.
Hantavirus is transmitted primarily by breathing in dust particles tainted with the saliva, urine, or feces of an infected deer mouse. To prevent this rodent from invading your home, avoid storing birdseed or pet food in storage sheds or garages. Deer mice are particularly attracted to these areas.
Norway Rats
Norway rats often burrow under slabs of concrete or in garbage piles. They are primarily nocturnal and tend to enter properties in the fall when sources of food outside become scarce. These rodents nest in undisturbed dwellings such as basements and attics. They cause significant property damage as they gnaw though various materials such as lead pipes and plastic to get water and food.
Norway rats are also carriers of disease such as salmonellosis, trichinosis, plague, cowpox virus, jaundice, and rat-bite fever. They are brownish red or brown in colour and have a stocky body, short ears, and blunt head.
These rodents can enter homes through holes larger than a half inch. They can induce mites and fleas into your home. Inspect your home for signs of rodent infestations on a regular basis. Look out for gnaw marks, rat droppings, grease rub marks and damaged food goods.
Roof Rats
Roof rats can be found in the southern third and coastal states of the United States. This rat species prefers to nest in trees or upper portions of structures. They live in colonies.
These rodents are great swimmers and are also known as ship rats and black rats. They are dark gray or black in color and have a thin and lanky body, large ears, pointed nose, and long tail.
Roof rats can spread typhus, trichinosis, salmonellosis, jaundice, and rat-bite fever. Clean up fruits that have fallen from the trees in your yard. Garbage should be kept in tightly covered receptacles.
What to Do If a Rodent Infestation is Confirmed
There are various ways that you can use to control an infestation. All you have to do is find the ones that will work well in your property. The presence of rodent droppings or mouse droppings should be dealt with professional pest management procedures to achieve complete rodent control.
You can try a combination of various products to know which ones work best. However, when the infestation is getting out of hand, calling for the services of experts can be your last resort.
Call a pest control company if you suspect a rodent infestation. Rodents reproduce fast and a small issue can turn into a big problem overnight. Pest control companies know what method of control should be used to deal with mice or rats.
