Rodent Rundown: Keeping These Dangerous Pests Away From Your Lewisville Property
You've probably seen a No Trespassing sign as you hike on a trail, stroll through the woods, or walk through a neighborhood. When you see the sign, you know that whoever owns the property does not want anyone to enter; if you cross the line, there may be consequences. For law-abiding citizens, a posted No Trespassing sign is enough of a deterrent to keep them off the property. It is a shame that rodents are not law-abiding citizens who can read.
Rodents are a natural part of the ecosystem. Although we don't like to think about it, rats and mice regularly travel through our properties at night, and sometimes they enter our homes. If you have rodents in your house or infesting your property, you need the Lewisville rodent control services from Adams Exterminating.
We understand the rodent problem in Lewisville because we have provided high-quality pest control in the area since 1947. Adams Exterminating is a local, fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company. Honesty, integrity, and stellar customer service have been our values since our founding 75 years ago. Staff entomologists guide our highly-trained service technicians to ensure you receive the best pest control service.
We know you probably found this page because you have a rodent problem in your house and need answers. Please keep reading to understand the signs of a rodent infestation, the dangers, how to end the current situation, and ways to prevent a future rodent invasion.
Signs Of Rodent Activity: How To Detect A Problem Early
Rodents are active at night, so you typically don’t see them during the day unless you move out a cabinet, appliance, or box where they are hiding. Although they stay hidden during the day, they leave behind evidence of their presence. As you investigate, search for these signs of a rodent infestation in your Lewisville home:
- Rodents
- Droppings
- Holes
- Gnaw marks
- Grease stains
- Urine stains
- Musty odor
- Discarded food
- Nests
- Tracks
- Sounds
Keep reading as we unpack each rodent indicator.
Rodents are warm-blooded furry animals that have a pair of upper and lower incisor teeth that are growing constantly. Some rodents are wild animals that are seldom an issue for Lewisville homeowners, but that is not so with rats and mice because they do not mind sharing the same space with humans. Three rats and one mouse species are problematic for most Lewisville homeowners: Norway, roof and wood rats, and house mice.
Norway rats have a 7 to 9 1/2-inch brown long, round body (not including the 7 to 9-inch scaly tail) with black hairs interspersed throughout their fur. They also have a blunt muzzle, small ears and eyes, and a grey or white belly. Norway rats live in basements and the ground level inside the home. As their name suggests, roof rats live in attics and the upper levels of homes.
Compared to Norway rats, roof rats have shorter and slender bodies and large ears and eyes; they have the same fur color and tails about the same length. Wood rats are the same size as Norway rats but are distinguishable by their hairy tails, large ears, and softer fur. These rats don't typically invade Lewisville homes but are problematic outdoors around the property.
House mice are significantly smaller than rats. These rodents have a 2 1/2 to 3 3/4-inch dusty grey round body, a 2 3/4 to 4-inch tail, and a cream-colored belly. These rodents create nests using fabrics, insulation, paper, and other materials in dark, secluded areas. Now that we have identified common rodents, let's look at the signs they leave behind.
Droppings are the most noticeable indicator because rats and mice constantly produce feces. One rat will deposit 25,000 droppings, and a mouse will produce 18,000 droppings annually. Look for rod-shaped droppings with blunt or pointed ends along walls, under appliances, inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and in dark corners of the house. In addition to droppings, rats and mice urinate as they travel over kitchen countertops, cooking surfaces, inside kitchen cabinets, and throughout the house. Large infestations usually result in a musty odor due to the putrid urine.
Rodents sharpen and shorten their incisor teeth by chewing on furniture, wiring, plastic, paper, concrete, and aluminum. Rats chew holes in floors and walls, so one way to distinguish between a rat and mice infestation is if you notice two to three-inch circular holes close to walls.
Rats and mice have oil fur that attracts dirt, mud, and disease-causing organisms in the sewers, drains, trash and compost piles, and other unsanitary areas where they forage. As they move through a Lewisville home and bump against walls, objects, and corners (due to their poor eyesight), they leave behind semi-sticky smug marks full of bacteria, viruses, and parasitic worms.
Mice and rats create nests in walls, inside or underneath appliances and cabinets using shredded paper, clothing, and insulation. Sounds emanating from walls and under the floor in the early morning or late evening hours are another indication that rats or mice are present inside your home.
Rats and mice create pathways between food sources and their nests. Droppings, stains, discarded foods, and chew marks outline these runways. To further confirm a suspected trail, shine a black light in the area to reveal urine stains. Another way to verify a rodent's path is to sprinkle talcum powder to show their four and five-toed footprints.
Adams Exterminating service technicians know the signs of a rodent infestation, can determine what rodent species infests your home and will create a plan for their quick removal.
Why Choose Adams Exterminating?
-
Trained Entomologists & Service TechniciansOur team brings a deep understanding of insect biology and behavior to create targeted pest control strategies. We're equipped with the latest techniques and technologies to effectively eliminate pests.
-
Customized Plans for Every BudgetRecognizing that each space is different, we customize pest control services for every home or business. Our approach involves targeted solutions, addressing specific needs for your environment.
-
Trusted in the Community Since 1947With a legacy dating back to 1947, our pest control company brings decades of experience with a proven track record to keep your space critter-free.
-
Locally Owned & OperatedAs a locally owned business with offices in both Denton and Lewisville, we are rooted in the community and dedicated to serving our neighbors with personalized service.
The Rodent Menace: Understanding The Threat Of Uninvited Guests
Rodents carry hitchhikers into the home. Bacteria and viruses stick to their oil fur and then transfer to surfaces inside the house as they bump against them. When rats and mice consume food in these polluted areas, they intake disease-causing organisms that they expel through urine, feces, and saliva onto utensils inside the kitchen, cooking and eating surfaces, bathroom towels, and other items.
Humans touching contaminated items or using them to eat can transfer the pathogens into their bodies. Leptospirosis, tularemia, or salmonellosis are illnesses spread by rats and mice, but other sicknesses are specific to each species. For example, mice also spread lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), and rats transmit rat-bite fever. Fleas, ticks, lice, and mites are additional hitchhikers on rats and mice. These ectoparasitic arachnids and insects also spread disease when mixing their saliva with a host's blood.
Not only do the droppings rodents leave behind contaminate surfaces and spread disease, but when the feces dries, particles break off and become airborne. Many people suffer from allergic reactions or experience asthma attacks when they unknowingly inhale the feces circulating throughout the home.
Rodents will chew on anything to trim their teeth, including electrical wiring. As a result, they tear off the protective coating and expose the wires to moisture and each other. When rodents are in the house, you have a risk of fires, short circuits, and damaged appliances.
Avoid risking your family's health and protect your home by using pest control in Lewisville from Adams Exterminating.
