September 15, 2021 - Rodents
Well, the cat's out of the bag! Your home is no secret when mice and rats are looking for a place to settle in for the long haul. And if you don’t want to get stuck playing cat and mouse with mice and rats, you need to know the proper steps to take to reduce your chances of a rodent infestation. After all, it’s your home, not theirs. So, which types of rodents live here in Eustis? Knowing which rodents you are dealing with is the first step in knowing how to keep them out and eliminate infestations.
Knowing The Difference Between Mice And Rats
Here in Eustis, the most common types of rodents that get into homes are mice and rats. It is important to know which type of rodent is infesting your home.
Mice: The most common type of mouse you’ll encounter in New Jersey is the house mouse. House mice have small bodies (growing to 5 ½ - 7 inches in length, including the tail), long tails, large ears, and small dark beady eyes. Their fur can range from brownish-gray to all black in color.
Threats: A house mouse may look cute and cuddly, but don’t let the name fool you. These little guys can pack quite a punch in their small little frame with their main threat being the spread of the diseases they carry. These include salmonellosis and dysentery. On top of spreading diseases, house mice like to chew, and your home is full of stuff that they can sink their teeth into. Things such as wires, pipes, drywall, flooring, and even your food packages. That’s why it’s extremely important to limit your exposure to mice infestations.
Rats: Two types of rats are common in the New Jersey area. These are Norway rats and roof rats. Norway rats are notoriously bad climbers and will enter your home on the ground level. Roof rats, on the other hand, earned their name from their tendency to enter your home via openings on the roof. Given their full range of potential for infestation, it’s imperative you take the proper preventative measures to keep them out.
Norway rats grow up to 7 – 9 ½ inches in length, and then add on another 6 to 8 inches for the tail. They have scruffy brown fur which is peppered with black hairs, and lighter brown fur on their undersides. They have rounded noses, bulging eyes, and small ears.
Roof rats are 6 – 8 inches in length with 8 – 10-inch scaly tails. Their fur is generally brown to black. They have large eyes and large ears compared to Norway rats.
Threats: Much like mice, the main threat rats pose is the spread of disease by contaminating food areas with their feces, urine, and bacteria on their fur. Also, like mice, rats have powerful jaws that can chew through a lot of the inner workings of your home.
Why Will Mice And Rats Choose Your Eustis Home?
It’s simple, really. Mice and rats are attracted to areas where they have easy access to shelter, food, and water. Oftentimes, this means your food and water. This is why you need to take preventive measures.
How to Prevent Mice and Rat Infestations
The main way to limit your exposure to mice and rats is to seal off potential entry points and seal off any potential food sources. Unfortunately, this can be tricky as they can squeeze through incredibly small holes relative to their body size. However, you should still try to:
- Remove yard waste such as leaf piles, sticks, and other debris where rodents can find harborage.
- Remove objects from your yard that don't need to be there. These can provide hiding places as well as possibly catch rainwater. to provide water sources for rodents and other pests
- Seal any openings in the foundation of your home.
- Caulk any gaps on exterior windows and doors.
- Keep trash in tightly sealed containers.
- Keep pet food in tightly sealed containers.
- Remove any crumbs from your counters and floors promptly.
- Store all leftover food in sturdy, sealed containers or the fridge or freezer.
Pest Ref Services Will Help You Keep Rodents And Mice Away
While these preventive measures will help to protect your Eustis home from mice and rat infestations, the only surefire way to limit your exposure, and get rid of any current infestations is to call the professionals here at Pest Ref Services. We have the tools, the knowledge, and the experience to get rodents out of your home and keep them out. We care about your safety and that of your family, so you need to act quickly when it comes to rats and mice. Contact us today to learn more about our rodent control services!
Just had Benjamin come out and do an initial pest service on our home. I highly recommend his business. He was on time, EXTREMELY thorough with every inch of our home and was professional and so affordable. I’m so glad I ran into him on facebook. If you’re looking to switch services, now is the time!
