Rodents are common pests in Rochester. While these animals do well in nature, some decide they want to live indoors. They leave their ground holes and tree cavities and move on up to the good life. When they do, what is the best way to get control of those rodents? The methods vary depending on what rodents you're addressing. Let's take a look at rodents in Rochester, focusing on the ones that go from being backyard rodents to indoor pests. We'll discuss how to identify them, what to expect when they invade your space, how they get in, and the best way to keep them out. While many of our blog posts focus on a specific topic, today, we're going to give an overview so you can better understand what works to control home-invading rodents. Before we start, remember that the RodentX team is always available to answer questions. We're more than happy to assist you! If you need rodent pest control in Rochester, we can help with that too.
What Are Rodents?
Rodents come in many shapes and sizes. Some rodents (like squirrels, mice, and rats) are common rodents and easily recognized as rodents. Other rodents are sometimes not recognized as rodents, such as gophers, voles, and chipmunks. One yard pest that is sometimes placed in the rodent category is the mole, but moles aren't rodents.
Many people have rodents as pets. You're not likely to have an infestation of hamsters or guinea pigs, but you may have them in your home—safely contained in cages. Of course, these pets can sometimes chew their way out of their cages, or escape from one of those cool hamster balls because the ball got trapped and the hamster lost its mind. It happens. But a hamster or guinea pig that escapes from captivity is not likely to create a population inside your walls in the way rats and mice do. There are also rodents that live outdoors that never become indoor pests. We can't think of the last time anyone had a beaver infestation! All kidding aside, some rodents have the potential to enter homes and create trouble. These are the ones we're called to trap and remove.
What exactly is a rodent, and why are they such pests indoors? There are two primary traits that make a rodent a rodent. The first is that they all have a coat of fur. None of them have plumage or scales, so there are no birds or reptiles in the rodent family. The other is that all rodents have ever-growing incisors. They must file these teeth to prevent harm to themselves. It is the second trait that creates most of the problems. Rats and mice, and sometimes squirrels, use their teeth to chew through building materials to enter structures. Once inside, they're not done chewing. They will gnaw on stored furniture, chew holes in storage boxes, rip up insulation, and more. Rats and mice will get into walls and work their way down to your kitchen and pantry where they may chew holes in your stored food packages. Before they do this, they'll have to chew a hole to exit your wall void. All of this chewing comes naturally to a rodent. They chew on practically everything. But there is one thing a rodent chews on that is very dangerous.
How Dangerous Is It To Have Rodents In Your Home?
We're often asked the above question. There are several domestic rodents. Each is different in its own way. If a ground rodent gets into your home, it will likely go right back out and present little or no danger to you. These are chipmunks, voles, and groundhogs. Norway rats, which are considered ground rodents, are the only pests in this group that may stay in your home permanently. They also have the potential to explore every level. Roof rats and house mice are two other kinds of rodents that explore your home. The biggest concern with all these rodents is that they are known to chew on wiring. When wires are cut, there is a risk of a wire sparking inside your walls. Under the right conditions, that spark can turn into a flame. It only takes one, tiny, little house mouse to start a house fire.
What are the chances? How worried should you be? There is no way to know for sure. All we can say is that experts believe 20 to 25 percent of structure fires for which there is no explanation are likely fires that were sparked by rodents.
Rodents are also dangerous because they can make you sick. It is not commonly understood, but rats, mice, and sometimes squirrels, spread diseases in several ways.
- The waste they leave in your home can dry and become an airborne source of illness.
- Contact with waste matter can cause illness. Items taken out of storage may have feces or urine on them if rodents are infesting the space.
- When rodents climb over surfaces, dishes, and other sensitive zones, they can leave harmful bacteria which they've picked up from unsanitary environments.
- Rodents pick up fleas and ticks. These parasites are linked to diseases that impact human health.
It is best to get all the rodents out of your home as soon as possible. There are far too many ways they can damage your property and present a threat to your health. We recommend contacting a pest control service provider for addressing an indoor infestation. If you're in Rochester, contact RodentX for an inspection. We'll help you figure out what is needed.
How Do Rodents Find Their Way Into Homes?
If rodents have not yet gotten into your home, you have options. It takes hard work to keep rodents out, but it is work you could do yourself. First, you need to know how they get into your home. Let's take a quick look at common entry points.
The pipes and conduits that pass through your foundation walls may provide the perfect routes for these pests. Check your utilities and look for even the smallest gaps. An adult mouse can squeeze through a gap the width of a dime. Rats only need a gap the width of a quarter. Use some expanding foam or caulk to patch these openings. While rodents can chew through these materials, they usually don't. If you check back and see that the rodents are persistent, use hardware cloth to stop them.
Rodents are drawn to damp or rotted wood. They'll chew on door frames and foundation sills. If they create a hole that is large enough, they can squeeze right into your walls or door frames. Sealing these holes is the first step. Once you've done this, you may also create skirts around accessible voids, such as a void underneath a deck. When you keep rodents out of these spaces, they don't have the protection they need to gnaw on the wood in these hidden spots.
Rodents can climb up pipes that run up the sides of your home or they can work their way up through downspouts. They may also run along branches and leap onto your roof. It is not good to have them on your roof because they may chew through seals, soffits, shingles, and wood to get into your attic.
- Block access to your downspouts.
- Install guards on your pipes.
- Trim branches on trees that have branches that are within four feet of your roofline.
Rodents can chew holes in your weatherstripping and door sweeps to enter your home. It is easy to fix this trouble zone. If you replace these materials and get a good seal, rodents aren't likely to try to get in this way. Also, remove potted plants on the outside of your home in your entryways. These provide cover for rodents as they chew.
With a little hard work, you may keep rodents out of your home, but exclusion may not provide enough protection if you have high rodent pressures, conducive conditions, and/or vulnerabilities.
What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Rodents And Keep Them Out?
It pays to hire a professional that is trained and experienced to address an indoor infestation, but we can also help you keep rodents out of your home. Not every pest control service provider offers exclusion services, but we do. We have skilled technicians who fix mortar, apply concrete, install drywall, and seal gaps with trusted materials. Exclusion work offers long-lasting protection from rodents when done right. We can also cull the population of rodents in your yard using industry-leading products and methods.
Are you in Rochester? Are you seeing evidence of rodents in your home or on your property? Do you need help keeping them out? Jump to our contact page and connect with us. RodentX specializes in advanced solutions for rats, mice, squirrels, bats, and other animals. We'll help you properly assess your pest control issues and guide you toward a rodent control or wildlife management solution that will work best for your specific needs.
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