Southern California's Step-By-Step Guide To Effective Rodent Control

When it comes to home-invading pests, some of the largest and furriest that you will encounter here in Southern California are rodents. Although they may appear to be cute at times, rodent problems shouldn't be taken lightly. They can cause property damage, contaminate food, and spread a wealth of diseases if they gain access to your home.

That is why it is important for you to know all of your options when it comes to rodent control and eliminating rodent infestations in and around your Southern California home. This means being able to identify the rodents with which you might be dealing, as well as the best course of action for eliminating their infestations. If you can do this, you should be able to greatly reduce your exposure to threats posed by rodents.

Identifying Common Area Rodents

Here in Southern California, the rodents that you are most likely to encounter around your home are rats and mice. Rats, the larger of the two, can grow to be ten inches long. They range in color but are usually brown, gray, or black. Additionally, rats have long tails and small ears that are not covered in fur.

Mice, on the other hand, grow to be only a few inches long, ranging from 2 ½ inches to 3 ¾ inches. They are usually a dusty gray color with cream-colored bellies. Mice have relatively larger ears and shorter tails than rats, however, both the ears and tails of mice are covered in hair.

Both mice and rats have four legs and whiskers, but perhaps their most noticeable features are their large incisors. Rodents' teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. As such, they must constantly be gnawing on objects, lest their teeth grow too long. Rodents are social animals who are also prolific breeders. As such, if you spot one rodent somewhere in your home, there are likely many more nearby.

What Dangers Do Rodents Pose?

Rodents pose a wide variety of threats to humans and our property. Primarily, rodents are known for spreading a wide array of diseases, pathogens, and bacteria as they scurry about homes. They can contaminate countertops, dishes, and even food if it has been left out. Diseases known to be spread by rodents include lymphocytic choriomeningitis, salmonellosis, hantavirus, rat-bite fever, and leptospirosis.

Additionally, because of their need to chew on objects to prevent their teeth from growing too long, rodents are wont to cause damage to personal property and other objects within a home. This could be drywall, wiring, or any other miscellaneous object into which they can sink their teeth.

Finally, rodents are also known for carrying other pests on their bodies like mites, fleas, ticks. As such, they can bring these pests into your home which only makes your problem worse should these pests infest your home as well.

Why Are Rodents So Difficult To Get Rid Of?

When it comes to dealing with rodent infestations, most people resort to using various traps. However, these devices come with several drawbacks rendering them not wholly effective. For example, rodents are smart creatures who can recognize and avoid traps if they spot them. Furthermore, they are nimble enough that they can remove the bait from traps without triggering the mechanism. Finally, even if you do catch a rodent or two with a trap, given their prolific nature, you will likely not make a dent in the total infestation. As such, you need a better method for dealing with rodent infestations.

What To Do If You Have A Rodent Infestation?

If you do have a rodent infestation in your home, don’t delay; call the trained pest experts at Excel Pest Management for professional rodent control today.

Not only do we possess the required experience and expertise to effectively eliminate any rodent infestations with which you are currently dealing, but we also will work with you to take the necessary steps to prevent future infestations. Don’t put your family at risk by letting rodents roam free within your home. Give us a call today!

Tags: home pest control | rodent control | rodents |

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