Rodent Identification & Prevention

Rodents, specifically rats and mice, are small mammals in the order Rodentia. All rodents have several things in common, but their constantly growing teeth are one of the most significant of these commonalities. Rodents in San Diego have a long set of incisors at the front of their mouths that never stop growing, which means they have to file them down all the time to keep them at the correct length.

When rodents invade, they can pose a danger to both people and their property and have the potential to transmit a wide variety of diseases and bacteria to humans. In fact, rodents are responsible for spreading Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), salmonellosis, dysentery, Hantavirus, and leptospirosis. When they find their way into homes and businesses, mice and rats can contaminate the food items and the surfaces inside with trails of urine and feces.

Another danger rodents pose when they invade properties is structural damage. Due to their constant chewing habits, rodents damage pipes, wires, insulation, flooring, and drywall throughout homes. In addition, they may also destroy personal items such as books, clothing, shoes, pictures, furniture, and other items.

Rats are semi-dependent on humans here in Southern California because of our desert environment. Non-native rat and mouse varieties especially need us for water and food. And no rodent is going to pass up the opportunity for safe, predator-free shelter. Therefore, all human habitations are going to be attractive to rodents. There’s just no avoiding it.

However, you might also be doing things to further attract them. If you’re leaving out pet food or letting your garbage sit uncovered, you’re setting out the rodent buffet. And rodents will, of course, find easy access to your home’s interior through cracks and holes irresistible.

Rodents don’t like to come into contact with humans. That means you’re unlikely to see a rat or mouse hanging out in your living room even if you have a serious infestation. Look for these animals in places where you don’t spend much time, like basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, etc.

Getting rid of rodents can be virtually impossible on your own. Snap traps and poisons are just not effective enough to eliminate an entire infestation. That means you’ll probably need to contact the experts here at Bite Away Termite & Pest Control for comprehensive rodent control in San Diego. We’ve got the tools and techniques to ensure your rodent problem is eliminated entirely and for good. 

While you can never make your home completely rodent-proof, you can do plenty to make your home both harder to enter and less attractive, including, keeping all trash covered at all times, storing pantry foods in airtight, hard plastic containers, sealing up potential entry points in your home’s exterior, and never leaving pet foods or dirty pet bowls sitting out.

Taking these and other measures can help you avoid a rodent infestation by encouraging them to move on to greener pastures. Reach out to us today to discuss our eco-friendly pest control service or learn more about our home pest control options.