While it’s true that some rodents can be cute, people do keep them as pets, after all, the actual realities of rodent activity are not so adorable. Rodent infestation comes with many negative consequences, and it’s crucial to be able to recognize it when it’s happening to you. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to get rid of them.
Rodents In Tracy
Rodents prefer to hang out in dark, remote areas like under the sink, in the pantry, in cupboards, and behind appliances. Once rodents find their way inside, they can be very hard to control. They produce at such a prolific rate that infestation can spread rapidly and become totally unmanageable. The term 'rodents' encompasses a lot of different pests, so let’s bring up some of the most common home-invading rodents in the area.
- Deer Mice
- Field Mice
- House Mice
- Moles
- Norway Rats
- Roof Rats
- Voles
To learn more about some of these species, visit our pest library. Since these rodents are so common, many people don’t think of their presence as a big deal, but rodents can actually be extremely dangerous. They threaten both the health and safety of the property and the people who inhabit it.
Dangers Associated With Rodents
Let’s start with how they can negatively impact your health. Rodents rummage through the garbage, they scurry around your kitchen looking for food sources, and they leave droppings and saliva all around the house. These habits lead to widespread contamination. They carry allergens, pathogens, bacteria, and germs that can lead to a long list of diseases and adverse health conditions. Not only that, but they could be carrying parasites and other pests on their body that expose you to their own host of problems and potential diseases. Here are some of the diseases that result from rodent activity.
- Bubonic Plague
- Hantavirus
- LCM (Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis)
- Rabies
- Rat-Bite Fever
- Salmonella
- Tularemia
Something else that makes rodents skillful at spreading populations and causing a large-scale infestation, is the fact that they are notorious for squeezing through the tiniest cracks and crevices. They squeeze through small openings around the perimeter, in the roof, the foundation, and many other access points that you may have never even thought about. Once they get inside, they start reproducing in wall voids, contaminating vulnerable surfaces, and threatening the structure of your home. Aside from chewing through construction materials, they also gnaw on electrical wiring and put your home at risk of catching on fire.
Rodent Prevention
Needless to say, you’re going to want to do everything you can to prevent rodents from entering your home. Between their ability to sneak into small cracks and the fact that they reproduce so rapidly, a rodent infestation can quickly become overwhelming. The best-case scenario is that you take the proper precautions to keep rodents from entering your property in the first place. Here are some preventative measures you can take to protect your space from rodent infestation.
- Block off any entry points around your property.
- Eliminate easy access to food by storing all food in gnaw-proof containers.
- Fix leaky pipes and faulty faucets.
- Keep woodpiles stored away from the perimeter of your home.
- Maintain cleanliness and eliminate clutter in the living space.
- Maintain well-trimmed vegetation and landscaping.
- Reduce excess moisture and sources of water.
- Seal up cracks and crevices, even the tiniest of them.
In addition to these prevention methods, the most effective way to protect your property from rodent activity is to get professional pest control services on a regular basis. The team of experienced professionals at Pro Active Pest Control knows all about effective rodent solutions. We’re familiar with their habits and behaviors, and we know where to look for them. After an extensive inspection, we eliminate all rodent activity and harborage areas, as well as implement any necessary structural modifications to make sure they stay away moving forward. Give us a call today to discuss your rodent control needs.