Some pests are so well-known for being gross that people consider them to be direct symbols of the dirty environments they hang out in. In movies and on television, we see creeping mice and rats portrayed as dumpster-diving nuisances, but they aren’t just a problem on fake sets and in dirty alleys. Rodent infestations can strike any homeowner, and knowing how to prevent them and spot the signs will help you stay one step ahead.
Common Rodents: Mice vs. Rats
The two most common home-invading rodents are mice and rats. While they are similar and the problems they can track with them are nearly identical, it’s important to be able to tell these small mammals apart:
- Size: Rats are much larger than mice, frequently growing several inches in length. Some roof and sewer rats have grown to a foot or longer.
- Ears: Mice may be smaller overall but their ears are much larger than a rat’s. Mice ears are circular and perched right atop their heads, while rats have pinched ears tucked far back on their skulls.
- Droppings: With bigger size comes bigger feces. As unpleasant as it can be to examine poop, a rodent’s droppings are often the surest way to identify which rodent you are dealing with, as you’re more likely to spot their droppings than you are to see the rodents themselves.
How Dangerous Are Rodents?
Rodents aren’t just annoying invaders, they are health hazards, too. Both mice and rats are known to cause damage and destruction, to people and their property.
Here are some of the biggest risks that rodents pose to your home:
- Disease: Mice and rats are known to transmit several dangerous and infectious diseases, including plague and rabies.
- Damage: Rodents must chew on hard things to file down their front teeth. This behavior causes bite marks on household items and surfaces. They also burrow through walls, leaving behind holes and damaging insulation and electrical wiring. When rodents chew on wires, it can cause electrical shortages and even spark a fire.
- Odor: It doesn’t take long for a rodent problem to smell, especially once they get in the walls or vents. Urine, feces, and general squalor will create an unpleasant odor in your home.
A Tough Problem To Handle
Despite what you may read online, rodents aren’t easily dispatched with a few well-placed traps. Mice and rats breed quickly. Homemade or store-bought solutions will do little to address the unseen problems (namely baby rats or mice) growing within your walls and crawl spaces. And chemicals and baits can sometimes be harmful to your health and to the health of your pets. Rather than bother with unproven methods, the best course of action for safe rodent removal is to enlist the help of professionals. Only trained technicians know all the nooks and crannies to check for signs of rodents, and only proven solutions are guaranteed to entirely eliminate your problem.
Rodents Are No Match For The Pros
With the damage and danger they can cause, rodents are a problem best left to the experts. Don’t waste time and money on ineffective products or efforts before you finally turn to what works. At The Original Bugman Pest Elimination, Inc. our friendly staff can get started right away on an inspection of your home. We’ll determine your risk of an infestation and implement proven methods to eliminate whatever problems we uncover. Not only can we work with your schedule and budget, but we can also follow up with you to make sure the problem doesn’t come back.
Keep your home safe from mice and rats by getting started today on ultimate rodent control from The Original Bugman Pest Elimination, Inc. Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.
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