Mice Rats And Rodents

The rodent is a small mammal, with continuously growing incisors (front teeth). The incisors will continue to grow until the rodent can no longer feed, nest, or fight off small predatory animals. If this were to happen, the rodent would not survive in their vast and harsh habitat. To avoid overgrown incisors, rodents continuously gnaw on all kinds of structures, while in its natural habitat and human living spaces.

When most people think of rodents, the gopher, squirrel, and beaver may come to mind. However, the mammal classification consists of a broad range of animals, some of which meet the criteria of a household pest. Take, for instance, the rat and mouse. Both mammals are rodents that frequently infiltrate residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Home infiltration by rodents is contributed to the need for survival when the essentials become scarce in the natural habitat.

More mouse infestations are linked to the deer mouse and house mouse than any other rodent species. This is why it is even more important than ever to build your knowledge of both mouse species.

House Mouse – The body is covered with a fine layer of fur. The only slightly pointy nose and large round-tipped ears are similar to the deer mouse. The eyes are black and large, but still smaller than the deer mouse. The same can also be said about the ears, which are covered with fine hair of the same color as the body, ranging between tan, brown, and black.

Deer Mouse – The body ranges between light and dark brown, with a white to off-white underbelly. The tail is much longer than the house mouse, measuring nearly the same size as the body and head combined.

Mouse Fecal Droppings – How To Identify

The mouse’s fecal droppings are no larger than 6 millimeters in length. The dropping is in the shape of a rice granule, with slightly pointy ends. The mouse drops its fecal matter in feeding and nesting areas. The fecal droppings are dark brown and black in color. Mouse fecal material has a foul odor – musky and pungent.

What Are The Sign Of A Mouse Infestation In Residential Settings?

The mouse tries to avoid detection, following the initial home infiltration. The rodent is nocturnal, sleeping during the day and being active at night, while the occupants of the property are asleep.

While avoiding detection is of the utmost importance, the mouse does not try to hide its nighttime activities. In fact, the rodent will drop its feces on countertops, in kitchen cabinets, near trash bins, and in its nesting area. If the occupants of the property look closely, they will have no trouble detecting the mouse’s fecal matter.

Rodents build their nests from twigs, household waste products, and other organic materials.

Gnaw marks on structural components, such as studs, drywall, subflooring, flooring, and plywood walls are just a few examples.

Why Is My Property Infiltrated With Rodents?

When food and water become scarce in the mouse’s natural habitat, the next best and the only option is home infiltration. Mice and rats infiltrate commercial and residential establishments via exterior-to-interior openings. Plumbing line passages are more commonly utilized by these mammals to invade homes than any other access point.

If an access point into your home is not immediately accessible, the rat will create an exterior-to-interior opening. The opening only needs to be about 1/4 of an inch in diameter. It helps that the rodent is under the constant urge to gnaw.

Do Mice And Rodents Pose Health Risks To Humans?

Yes, rat-borne illnesses are not limited to Lassa fever, leptospirosis, choriomeningitis, plague, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli. All these diseases are transmitted through contaminated fecal matter in food and water sources.

These rodents also pose a risk to domesticated cats and dogs. Rodents can be infested with ticks and fleas, which will transfer to humans and animals in residential settings.

Rodents are also a fire hazard, thanks to their strong urge to continuously gnaw. Rodent gnawing has contributed to thousands of dollars in structural damages in homes and businesses.

Mouse infestation puts your property in danger of an electrical fire and your family at risk of developing foodborne illnesses.

What Is The Most Effective Rat And Mouse Extermination Strategies?

Since the rat and mouse are rodents, the pest control strategy is generally similar. We approach each rodent infestation with a visual assessment of the impacted property. During the inspection, the technicians are searching for signs of rodents inside the home. This is where the sign of a rodent infestation comes into play. The technician applies this information to the inspection to determine if the property has been infiltrated by or infested with mice.

The evidence is then applied to a treatment strategy, which includes high potency rodenticides and traps. We firmly believe combinational pest control strategies are more effective when rodents are involved.

How Long Does It Take To Process A Mouse Inspection Service Request?

Our qualified customer support team can process your service request in 24 hours, no later than 48 hours in most cases. We highly suggest submitting your request as soon as possible to avoid any potential delay that could complicate your case.

Does High Potency Rodenticide Pose Environmental Risks?

These pest control products do contain chemicals ingredients that could harm the environment. To avoid these environmental risks, we implement a safety strategy before each treatment is rendered.

How To Prevent A Repeat Mouse Infestation?

• Utilizing a waterproof sealant, metal screen and sheeting, and stainless-steel pot scrubbers to seal all exterior-to-interior rodent access point
• Transitioning from vulnerable manufacturing food packaging – paperboard and plastic – to glass or stainless-steel storage containers
• Removing all household waste from the home to an outdoor trash bin
• Cleaning the home from top to bottom regularly

All the above tasks must be completed routinely to ensure maximum effectiveness. We highly suggest taking advantage of our free rodent consultation and inspection services. Our customer support is on standby to take your service request and answer any questions you may have about our rodent management services.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.