If you’re a Southern California homeowner, the chances that you’ll run across a rodent at some point are relatively high. Rodents, especially mice and rats, are extremely common throughout the area and the United States, and they often invade houses as they search for food and shelter.
Along with mice and rats, squirrels can occasionally become a problem, too, and all of these species can be dangerous to have around. They spread many different diseases, and they can also carry parasites such as ticks and fleas. Rodents themselves can transmit illnesses such as hantavirus and salmonellosis while the parasites they carry can transmit things like Lyme disease and the Bubonic plague.
Also, rodents can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues when their fur, urine, and feces build up over time.
In order to help you keep these rodents away from your home, we’ve provided this guide on the best prevention tips and control methods.
What Do Rodents Look Like?
While you likely have an idea of what rodents in the area look like already, here is a brief guide to tell them apart:
- Rats: They can reach up to 15 inches in length including their tails. Depending on the species, they are brownish-grey, dark brown, or black, and they have short, scaly tails.
- Mice: At around five inches long, mice are much smaller than rats. They are a brown-grey color and have long, thinner tails than rats do.
- Squirrels: This species is best characterized by its large, bushy tail. They are usually gray but can also be red depending on the species.
Why Are Rodents So Common?
Throughout the centuries, rodents have adapted to live alongside humans, and, in the process, mice and rats especially have become dependent on us. They use our buildings for shelter and rely on the access to food and water we provide. Because of this, they can easily live inside of homes, and they are attracted to even small crumbs of food.
Rodents are also quite challenging to prevent overall because they can fit through tiny holes. Mice can fit through openings the size of a dime, while for rats it’s about the size of a quarter. And, they can also chew through many materials such as drywall, wood, and plumbing to find their way inside.
Why Are Rodents So Difficult To Remove
Once rodents get inside, they are even more of a problem to remove than prevent. They can reproduce quickly and are adept at hiding in many tiny, out of sight areas.
However, there is one effective way to both deter and control them for good. The experts at Excel Pest Management provide residential pest services that will handle any rodent infestation. To find out more, give us a call today and request an inspection.
Five Rodent Prevention Tips
While professional assistance is the best way to keep rodents away, there are still some steps you can implement on your own to help deter them as well. Just follow these five steps:
- Keep lids on all trash cans and remove any garbage from around your property.
- Make it harder for rodents to get inside by covering vents with wire mesh and sealing up holes in the walls and foundation using mesh or steel wool products.
- Deter rodents by keeping kitchen spaces cleaned. Make sure to clean floors, wipe down countertops, and do dirty dishes.
- Store any pet food inside the house and keep these products in sealed containers.
- Reduce humidity levels around the house by using dehumidifiers and fixing leaky plumbing.
For more advice or assistance deterring rodents and other pests, don't hesitate to call the experts at Excel Pest Management.