Six Rodent Prevention Tips Every Bay Area Resident Should Know

Rodents are a more diverse species than many people know. While there are over 2,000 species of mammals classified as rodents, there are only a few species that U.S. residents are likely to come across, and typically they are quite dangerous to domestic dwellings. Because of where they spend their time before coming into homes, domestic rodents are known to carry diseases into the home that put family members and pets at risk.

They can also jeopardize customer and employee health, therefore ruining a business’s reputation, and are capable of structural and property damage to any dwelling. If you fear you have a rodent problem, keep reading to learn about common California rodents, what attracts them to a home, and how to keep them away.

What Animals Are Considered Rodents?

Rodent species are extremely varied. The number of species makes up about half the known mammals in the world, which just goes to show how many different types of rodents there are. Domestic rodents, however, are more limited. The most common California rodents that homeowners might have to contend with are mice and rats.

House Mice

One of the most common home invaders is the house mouse. Generally around 3¾ inches in length in their round bodies, they have long tails that can grow up to four inches long. With dusty gray fur and cream-colored bellies, they may seem harmless, especially if you notice their big, round ears. While they may be cute, they are vectors for salmonella, rat-bite fever, and can bring disease-carrying mites, ticks, lice, and fleas into your home.

Roof Rats

Among the types of rodents homeowners contend with, roof rats are a bit more dangerous. Known as the primary carriers of the bubonic plague in the 14th century, these animals carry more diseases, are more destructive, and are more threatening and mobile. From the nose to the tip of the tail, they can be about 16 inches long.

Roof rats are named as they are because of their propensity to make their homes in high places. Attics and rafters are housing favorites. They are brown with black mixed in, and their tail is long and scaly. These pests can carry typhus, infectious jaundice, rat-bite fever, and salmonellosis, not to mention the rare case of bubonic plague.

How To Keep Rodents Away

Common rodents attracted to family dwellings are looking for the same things: food, shelter, and water. The smallest of these, the house mouse, can fit into a hole the width of a pencil and as big around as a dime, so getting into the home is not much of an obstacle. However, keeping rodents from finding your home attractive can save you some frustration.

To keep these dangerous pests from finding your home attractive, follow these three tips:

• Store food in glass or metal containers and clean up food spills inside cabinets immediately.
• Take out indoor trash regularly. Keep both indoor and outdoor trash sealed and sanitize the bins at least once a week.
• Declutter, vacuum frequently, and if you have to store things in boxes, keep them in sealed plastic, not cardboard.

Sanitation is the number one way to lessen attractions for rats in your home, but keeping them out is another issue. To keep rats from getting inside, follow these three tips:

• Seal any crack or crevice as small as your pinky finger with silicone-based caulk or steel wool.
• Make sure doors and windows seal properly, install door sweeps, and maintain screens as much as possible.
• Keep bushes and trees trimmed back from windows, exterior walls, and from hanging over the roof.

Unfortunately, rodents are smart and stubborn, and they may find their way into your home despite all your maintenance and best intentions. If this happens, you may be wondering how to get rid of rodents. At that stage, your best bet is to call a pest control professional.

How To Get Rid Of Rodents

DIY methods aren’t likely to be safe or effective enough to make a lasting difference to get rid of rodents. Often, traps and poisons can end up creating more of a pest problem than you started with as the rodents die off and attract more pests, not to mention that they can put you in close contact with disease-carrying corpses.

Instead of relying on dangerous, ineffective methods, entrust your rodent control to Bay Pest Solution. With over 40 years of experience, we are confident we can eliminate your rodent problem while keeping your family safe from dangerous chemicals and rodent contact. Bay Pest Solution offers customizable plans and free cancellation. To request a free estimate, Call Bay Pest Solution today.