Identifying And Getting Rid Of Rodents On Your Rochester Property

February 7, 2023

Rodents are one of the most populous and diverse types of mammals in the United States and one of the most commonly encountered in our beautiful state of New York. Unfortunately, rodents are also some of the most likely intruders you'll spot rampaging through your Rochester home, attracted to the warmth it provides in the colder months and easy access to food.

Each year rodents are responsible for over 20 billion dollars in damages inflicted on home and business owners nationwide. Rodents vary wildly in appearance and characteristics, but all have ever-growing incisors on both upper and lower jaws, which require them to gnaw on hard surfaces to keep the length of their teeth in check.

Let's take a look at the types of rodents in New York you're likely to encounter, the problems they bring when in your house, what you can do to discourage them from your home, and where to find reliable rodent control services in Rochester if that doesn't do the trick.

How To Identify Common Types Of Rodents In Rochester

There are hundreds of species of rodents in New York, but thankfully, out of all rodent species, only a few show any interest in spending their time next to humans.

House mice are small rodents 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 inches long with a round body, big ears, and a pointy muzzle. They are the most commonly encountered rodent in our homes and can reproduce at an amazing speed, turning a single mouse that made its way indoors into hundreds in mere months.
Deer mice are house mouse's wilder cousins and are likely to invade outbuildings during a cold snap. They are 5 to 8 inches long with bodies covered in brown fur with white undersides and feet.
Norway rats are the bigger of the two rat species common to our state, growing between 7 and 9 1/2 inches, plus the length of the tail. They have long, muscular bodies with blunt muzzles covered in brown fur with gray or white undersides. Norway rats excel at burrowing, and you'll likely find them in basements, crawl spaces, and lower levels of the house.
Roof rats, as the name suggests, are excellent climbers. They have long, thin bodies covered in brown fur with gray or black undersides.

All rodents you're likely to encounter in Rochester are nocturnal and great at staying out of sight.

All The Problems Rodents Around Your Property Can Cause

All rodents will cause damage to your house and furniture by gnawing on everything around them to keep the size of their teeth in check. Rats and mice in your home can also spread a number of illnesses, such as:

Leptospirosis
Rat-bite fever
Tularemia
Salmonellosis
Jaundice
Cowpox virus
Trichinosis

On top of the diseases they spread and the damage they do to your house, rodents carry many disgusting hitchhikers, like fleas and ticks, which bring a whole new set of problems into your home.

How To Identify And Remove Factors That Attract Rodents

Rodents are attracted to your home thanks to easy access to food and comfortable and safe spaces separated from their natural enemies by the walls of your house. To avoid attracting rodents to your home, keep food in sealed containers and dispose of outside trash regularly. Fix plumbing leaks and remove other sources of moisture. Get rid of debris inside your home, and don't store firewood next to the outside walls to prevent rodents from using them as places to hide.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Rodents And Keep Them Away

Unfortunately, even the best rodent control approach is rarely bulletproof, making a yearly inspection a worthwhile investment. Our experienced technicians will inspect your home and property and advise you on improvements we can make upon your request, complete an exclusion service, and ensure rodents and other wildlife pests stay out of your home.

If you suspect a rodent infestation in the future, get in touch with RodentX today!