It's no surprise that homeowners don't want rodents moving in to their homes; rodents bring with them disease, cause damage and can leave a big mess behind! However, many people don’t always know the differences in the rodents they may be facing. While you do not want any of them in your house, there are some benefits to knowing which rodents you are dealing with. Rodents commonly invade homes as the weather gets cooler. As food and shelter sources get scarce outdoors, your warm home starts becoming the most appealing place to stay.
Norway Rats and Roof Rats
Norway rats are quite large and can grow up to 17 inches from nose to tail, making them a bit of a frightening encounter for any person. Their body color is usually a dark, scruffy-looking brown that is speckled with black hairs throughout, and they sport a lighter grayish-white underbelly. These rats typically have a round, blunted nose and small ears.
Roof rats, on the other hand, are slightly smaller with a 12-16 inch body, including the tail. This is still not a pest you want around your children or your food, or anywhere in your house for that matter. These rats have a lighter body build than their Norway rat cousins, which allows them to climb extremely well up trees and buildings to find an accessible point of entry on the roof they climb onto. Roof rats are dark brown or black in color with a lighter underbelly and, in contrast to Norway rats, they have a sharp, pointed nose and large ears.
Both of these types of rats can cause damage to your home by gnawing away at wooden structures, furniture, and electrical wires, as well as spreading disease when they contaminate your food and water with their feces. Rats will steal any food they can find, and often leave bacteria and harmful parasites in your home.
House Mice
As the smallest out of the three rodents at about 5-7 inches in total length, it could be assumed that these brownish-gray rodents would be less of a threat to you than the rest of them. This idea, however, is entirely false. Mice are just as prone to chewing on wires and wooden items as rats are, and they can squeeze themselves into smaller areas than rats can, meaning it’s easier for them to enter your home in the first place. Mice are also common carriers of fleas and ticks, which is an entirely separate pest problem.
So What Can You Do?
If you’d like to reduce the number of rodents that decide your home looks like a nice place to stay, here are a few steps you can take.
- Reduce food sources. This includes sealing leftover food in airtight bags or containers, keeping your trash bins closed, and sweeping up crumbs from your floors
- Trim overhanging branches and bushes away from the exterior of your home. Less brush means fewer hiding places, making it less comfortable for rodents to be around your home.
- Repairing areas of entry. Torn window screens, cracks in your foundation, and dislodged roof shingles are just a few common entry points for rodents of all sizes. Fixing or replacing these areas will greatly reduce the number of pests getting into your home.
While these tips are helpful, there’s no true way to always prevent rodents from entering your home without professional help. DIY tips may boast about perfect ways to rid your home of pests, but there have been no clear records of any of these methods working without the help of professional extermination services like the ones Adams Exterminating Company provides. Our home pest control programs provide you with solutions to prevent or eliminate infestations, as well as stop any from occurring in the future. For more information on rodent control and other services we offer, contact Adams Exterminating Company today!