Rodents are some of the most difficult pests to completely get rid of. Not only are they resilient, they can hide in some of the smallest cracks and crevices in the home. In order to get rid of rodents for good, it’s necessary to call a rodent exterminator who has a thorough understanding of how and why rats or mice have invaded your property in the first place!
Rats & Mice FAQ
Rodents are mammals best known for their strong, ever-growing incisors. Common pest rodents include the house mouse, deer mouse, Norway rat, roof rat and wood rat commonly called a pack rat. Other rodents include squirrels, capybaras, and more. All rodents are nocturnal, meaning they are active during the night and rest during the day.
Rats and mice have very similar characteristics but differ in size. They both have big, constantly growing incisors. Here’s how they look:
- Mice are typically 2-4 inches in length, Some rats can measure up to 9 inches long.
- Rats have larger feet, a thick and hairless tail, and small ears.
- Mice, on the other hand, have larger ears and a long thin tail covered with hairs.
- Mice breed more rapidly and defecate more frequently.
When they nest near homes, house mice will construct nests in ground burrows, barns and sheds, and will construct nests indoors in attics, wall voids, storage boxes, and under appliances. Norway rats construct burrows outside along foundations and gardens or may be found inside homes, in basements, and inside crawl spaces. Known for their climbing abilities, roof rats prefer to nest in trees, rooflines, block walls, attics, garages, sheds and in ceilings.
Rodents are more stealthy than you may think when it comes to getting inside your property. Rodents are excellent climbers and rats can jump from overhanging trees to access roof lines and attics. Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime and rats only need a gap the size of a quarter. Rodents enter homes using gaps around the perimeter of your home. They commonly get in around dryer vents, utility pipes, exterior doors, and garage doors, and will also gain entry through chimneys.
Rats and mice inside your home can be dangerous. Here’s why:
- Rodents can contaminate surfaces with their feces and urine.
- Certain rodents can carry a wide array of potentially dangerous diseases.
- A rat or mouse infestation can cause structural damage to your home with their nesting habits.
- Due to their nonstop chewing, rodents can gnaw through electric wires and create a fire hazard.
Yes, rodents are infamous for their ability to carry and spread dangerous diseases. More than 35 diseases have been found on rodents, including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), and salmonella. These diseases can be spread to humans directly by handling live or dead rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, and through rodent bites. Rodent droppings are also said to contain allergens that can trigger rhinitis in certain people.
Rodents aren’t necessarily subtle and leave behind signs of their presence. Look out for the following signs of rats and mice in your home:
- Droppings. Rat droppings are shiny black and up to 3/4″ long. Mice droppings are smaller with pointed ends.
- Gnaw marks on door corners and walls, or gnawed fruit in trees
- Odd noises or scratching sounds at night in the walls.
- Spotting burrows outdoors along foundations, walls or trees is a sign of Norway rat activity.
- Foul odors that are otherwise inexplicable could be due to a rodent problem.
To get rid of rodents in the home, it’s important to take several steps. First, inspect your property for signs of rodents and then eliminate entry points by rodent-proofing your home. Snap traps, live traps, and glue boards can be an easy and inexpensive way to get rid of rodents. However, if the rodent infestation is large, a rodent control expert may be required to eliminate the infestation for good.
Rat & mice identification
Signs you have a rodent infestation
Keep rodents out of your home
Dangers of rodents in Virginia
When to call a rodent exterminator
Need a rodent control estimate?
When do you need a rat & mice exterminator?
Rodents aren’t exactly subtle pests, and it’s easy to tell when you need professional mice extermination. If you see rodent droppings, scratching noises, gnaw marks, nests, burrows, or smell foul odors, it’s time to call a rodent removal company. The mice and rat exterminators at Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s will offer the following services:
- A full property inspection to identify nests as well as any entry points that are contributing to the rodent infestation.
- Discreet placement of non-toxic traps and monitoring stations for comprehensive rodent control and to monitor activity.
- Sealing of all entry points as a part of our rodent exclusion tactics.
- Creating a report to describe the mice extermination treatment and provide tips on preventing future infestations.
Rodent exterminator services
Mice, rats, and other rodents can overrun an entire house. Rat and mice extermination is no job for amateurs, and if you have them, you’re almost certainly going to need professional help. For a rat and mice exterminator you can count on, call Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s today.
The importance of rodent control
Rodent droppings aren’t just unsightly and odorous: they can cause a serious health hazard. Their feces can spread bacteria, contaminate food sources and trigger allergic reactions in humans. Some of the dangerous illnesses that have been traced back to rodent feces include hantavirus, the bubonic plague, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever. For these reasons alone, it’s absolutely necessary to get a professional pest control company to help eliminate rodents and stop them from ever returning.
Professional rodent removal company
No matter how protected you think you are against rats and mice, it’s probably not enough—some rodents, like mice, can fit through gaps as small as a dime. If you think you have a rat or mice infestation, it’s important to contact professional rodent exterminators. If not, you will be at risk for a number of diseases and the destruction they cause. At Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s, we know how frustrating rodents can be. Call our mice and rat exterminators today to learn about our rodent control methods.
Rodent Exterminators – Rats & Mice Exterminators in Virginia
Serving the Virginia area since 1944