Just as most of us like a toasty, warm home in the winter, so do rodents. As the temperatures drop and outdoor food supplies dwindle, rodents seek out shelter, warmth, and a steady food supply. They are instinctively driven by their desire to provide for themselves and their young. As much as they like to nest down inside residences, they pose too many risks to co-habitat with us. Rodents like house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats are known to cause huge problems for homeowners.
House Mice
House mice can grow up to 3 ¾ inches in length, not including their long tails. They are usually light brown or grey and have small eyes and large ears. They are great climbers and jumpers, and are active mostly at night, though they will forage for seeds, grains, insects, and other foods during the day.
Norway Rats
Norway rats are generally 7-12 inches in length with equally long tails. They are brown, fur-covered and shaggy. They typically frequent farmland, as well as fields and barns, where they will find garbage and hide in wood piles or dig underground. They are nocturnal and will scavenge for just about any type of food they can find.
Roof Rats
Roof rats are a couple of inches smaller than Norway rats, and they are very good at climbing. They like to nest in attics. As their name suggests, they like to scurry along roof lines from place to place. These rats can breed prolifically and produce up to 40 young female rats.
Problems Posed By Rodents In The Home
No matter the type of rodent, you won’t want to share your home with them as they are known to cause a variety of serious problems:
- Spread disease pathogens such as the Hantavirus, Listeria, and Salmonella
- Carry ticks that can cause a plethora of other diseases
- Introduce fleas into the home
- Contaminate food and food surfaces that can lead to food poisoning
- Allergic reactions caused by droplets of urine
- Fire hazard when they chew through electrical wires
- Water damage when they gnaw plumbing pipes
- Property destruction as they chew their way through insulation, wall boards, and even wood
With the many problems that rodents pose inside homes, it is important to keep them out. Removal of rodents can be difficult and potentially dangerous. Since they are good at hiding and can bite if they are cornered or feel threatened, they must be eliminated from your home. Even if you haven’t seen any rodents in or around your home, they may simply be hidden from view. A professional pest control service is the best way to eliminate and prevent rodents in your home.
If you live in the CSRA or the Midlands of South Carolina, you can count on Aiken Pest Control for accurate and complete control of the rodents and other pests in your home. Our professionals will help you get rid of a current infestation and prevent future rodent issues. Call us at Aiken Pest Control to find out how our year-round pest control program can work for you.