Roaches are one of the most common pests, and they may be found all around the nation. Did you know that they make their way into over 21 million homes in the United States each winter?
In fact, over one-third of Americans, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), have experienced a rat infestation in their home.
As the weather cools in the autumn and winter, several varieties of rodents attack houses in search of food and refuge, while they may still cause issues throughout the year.
Rodent sightings were reported by the majority of homeowners polled in the kitchen, as well as in the basement and living room to a lesser degree.
A rat or mouse infestation in a house or company may be hazardous to one’s health and property.
Salmonella and other pathogens are known to be transferred by a variety of common rodents.
They may also set up allergic reactions and asthma episodes. Ticks, fleas, and lice, for example, may contain disease-causing parasites.
In addition to these health risks, rats have been known to gnaw through drywall and wood, as well as electrical lines, increasing the danger of electrical fires.
To keep both people and property safe, adequate rodent prevention techniques and knowledge are required.
Rats can squeeze through quarter-inch gaps, whereas mice can squeeze through holes as tiny as a quarter-inch wide.
Females may reproduce swiftly once inside.
A single female mouse, for example, may produce up to 12 young every three weeks, enabling infestations to spread swiftly.
Continue reading to discover more about the many species of rats and the best ways to keep them out of your house.
Rodents Come in a Variety of Shapes and Sizes
Mice of Deer
Deer mice may be found all throughout the United States.
Mice like to build their nests in rural environments, such as old fence posts, tree hollows, and log heaps.
Deer mice are seldom a nuisance in homes, although they may go within during the winter months in search of food and shelter.
During the off-season, they often live in sheds, barns, or cottages.
Deer mice are the most frequent carriers of hantavirus, a group of viruses carried by rodents that may cause kidney, blood, or lung problems in people, and can even be deadly.
Inhalation of dust particles contaminated with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected deer mice is the main mode of transmission.
Pet food and birdseed should be kept in safe containers and kept out of reach of children. Avoid storing these things in locations where deer mice may easily get them, such as garages or storage sheds.
Deer mice often have a bicolored tail that is half brown and half white.
Mice in the House
House mice are the most often observed rodent species and may be found all throughout the United States.
House mice like to build their nests in dark, hidden spots inside buildings.
They can leap up to a foot in height and are good climbers, enabling them to reach secluded or withdrawn locations.
House mice may nibble through materials like drywall and insulation, causing severe property damage.
They have also been known to cause electrical fires in houses by biting on cables.
House mice may be dangerous to your health because they can contaminate stored food and transmit infections like Salmonella.
House mice like dark, safe spaces to hide in, thus clutter is a good place to look for them. As a result, it’s critical to maintain storage facilities clean and well-organized and to keep boxes off the ground.
Keeping food in sealed, rodent-proof containers can also assist in guaranteeing you don’t attract any unwanted visitors.
House mice can squeeze through tiny apertures as small as a cent. Furthermore, despite their low eyesight and color blindness, they compensate with other increased senses.
Norway Rats are a kind of rodent found in Norway
Rats, like other species, are ubiquitous and may be found all throughout the United States.
Norway rats are generally nocturnal and often dig into rubbish heaps or behind concrete slabs.
When external food supplies become sparse in the autumn, this species enters houses, usually nesting in basements, crawlspaces, and other undisturbed places.
Norway rats can bite through a variety of things, including plastic and lead pipes, causing major property damage.
They may also spread diseases including the plague, jaundice, rat-bite fever, and the cowpox virus. This species may also introduce fleas and mites into the house.
Keep a watch out for droppings, chew marks, spoiled food, and grease rub marks,
which are all symptoms of an infestation.
Because an infestation may spread quickly, discovering and dealing with potential invaders as soon as possible is critical.
Norway rats can squeeze through openings as tiny as 12 inches across or the width of a quarter.
Rats on the Roof
Rats, which are thought to have originated in Southeast Asia, have spread across the United States’ coastal states and southern third.
Roof rats like to nest in the higher portions of buildings or trees, and they usually live in colonies.
Rats, as well as the fleas they transmit, have been linked to the bubonic plague in the past.
Roof rats may transmit illnesses including typhus, jaundice, and trichinosis, however, instances are uncommon.
If you have any fruit trees on your property, wipe up any fallen fruit as soon as possible to avoid attracting roof rats.
Also, make sure that rubbish is kept in containers that are firmly closed.
Due to their dark hue and outstanding swimming abilities, roof rats are also known as the “black rat” or “ship rat.”
Contact a registered pest control specialist for assistance if you suspect or uncover a rodent issue.
Rodents are notorious for reproducing swiftly and posing a number of major risks, so getting rid of them is not a “do it yourself” project.
Check out our rodent pest guides to discover more about the many varieties of rodents.
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