Rodents are mammals that are characterized by a single pair of unremittingly growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are rodents. Most rodents are small animals with robust bodies, short limbs and long tails. They use their sharp incisors to gnaw food, excavate burrows and defend themselves. Rodents are serious agricultural pests, eating quantities of food stored for humans. Rodents are a nuisance and endanger public health. Contact the experts at A-Tex Pest Management to discuss rodent prevention, exclusion and removal in Greater Austin, Texas.
Common House Mouse Facts
House mice are quite common in Texas. They are covered in short hair that is light brown or gray with lighter colored bellies. Adult mice weigh approximately 0.4 to 1.0 ounces and can grow 7-8 inches in length from the nose to the tip of the tail. The droppings of a house mouse are rod shaped and pointy at both ends. House mice do not hibernate so when the temperatures begin to drop they will search for warmer places to live. The smell of food will attract them and they will get in through utility lines, pipe openings, and gaps beneath doors.
Signs of a Rodent Infestation
If you see droppings, you have a problem. Rodent feces and urine can contaminate surfaces with which we come into contact with. The droppings will tell you the path they are traveling. Another sign is the accumulation of fresh shavings and teeth marks along runways. Runways are worn areas created during travel by rodents. Look for gnawing or burrow openings. The opening of a burrow is about the size of a tennis ball. Rodent holes are both unsightly and dangerous as they are an entryway for other pests as well. Rodents are also a short-circuit fire danger if they gnaw on electrical wires. Places to look for rodent infestations are around pipes, behind walls, and near garbage cans. You may also hear sounds during evening hours when it’s quite and dark like scratching and squeaking noises.
Rodent Control Methods
Rodents can harbor and transmit a number of serious diseases. They can also introduce disease-carrying parasites such as fleas and ticks into your home. Keep food sources in sealed containers. Remove cardboard items, as they are very attractive to rodents because they like to chew them up and use it for their nests. Rodents prefer dark, shaded areas and they avoid sunlight so trim/cut low lying bushes and shrubs and keep your grass short and tidy. Remove junk piles and keep wood piles up off the ground. Prevent rodents from coming into your home by sealing all openings with concrete or metal. Cleanliness is extremely important in controlling rodents. Removing food, water, and shelter along with pest control (trapping and baiting) is the best way to eliminate an infestation. They like to colonize in attics, burrows, under concrete and porches, in wall voids and other hard-to–reach places. Deterrents may prevent a rodent infestation but eradication requires treatment. Different rodents require different eradication methods.
Rodent Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal, Exclusion & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
The most important step in the prevention process is to prevent rodents from gaining access into your home. If a home is already infested, prevention methods prove inefficient. The most effective rodent control methods are those administered by the professionals. Call A-Tex Pest Management if you think you have a rodent issue, no matter what stage it is in, or you want to prevent an infestation before it begins!
