Rodents: Everything You Never Wanted to (but need to) Know

When it comes to rodent control, Murrieta homeowners often prefer to think this issue won’t affect them – until it does. Rats, mice and other common vermin have been the cause of anxiety and fear for centuries. Their reputation as disease carriers during the Great Plague and other epidemics certainly didn’t help ease such worries. From Cotton Rats, Norway Rats and Deer Mice to common house mice and roof rats, rodents can be serious hazards to the home. To make matters worse, they are seriously hard to control once they’ve made it in. So whether you’re interested in avoiding rodent infestations in the first place or already have a few uninvited house guests you need to get rid of, here are some basic facts you need to know.

The Common Culprits

Mice. From the city to the country, mice get into homes and apartments through a variety of strategic and often unnoticed entrances in search of warmth, food and water. While they might look harmless, each mouse you spot could potentially infect a great deal more food than it actually consumes. If you’ve spotted mouse droppings in your cupboards, you need to take action immediately. After washing out the cupboard and your hands, of course. 

Rats. While mice can be fairly easy to catch with common baits and traps, rats tend to be a bit more suspicious of such new additions. They tend to infest homes in packs for protection and community, and are more commonly found in harder-to-reach places like up in the attic, within the walls, and underneath the porch. In addition to contaminating food, rats are also likely to carry and spread diseases. They often bring other unwanted friends such as fleas and ticks into their unknowing host’s abodes as well. 

What to Expect After Spotting a Rodent

Whatever kind of rodents you happen to find in your home, you can expect that they will breed rapidly. Some rodents breed during certain times of the year, while others breed all year long to keep their population booming. Once they are in your home they will leave feces and urine that will contaminate surfaces. If you have spotted rats or mice you should make sure not to touch them or let children near them, as they may be carrying bacteria and they have sharp teeth. After sealing up any small spaces where these slippery little suckers might enter or re-enter, the first thing you should do is call a professional service provider specializing in pest control. Murrieta residents can call the team at Black Knight Termite & Pest Control for fast and reliable service whether they’ve spotted rodents or any other pests.

The best way to prevent further infestations is to keep food and water sources out of reach. This means keeping all food in tightly sealed containers, cleaning up crumbs and other food waste right away, and staying on top of garbage duty. Neighbors are also encouraged to band together in their efforts, as rodents often move from house to house. But first make sure to call our experts in pest and termite control. Murrieta residents are always better off when they have a professional on their side when rodents have gotten in their homes.