Understanding the Most Common Types of Rodents and How to Deal with Them

Most Common Types of Rodents and How to Deal with Them

Rodents are among the most prevalent problems faced by house owners and can sometimes be annoying and dangerous to one’s health. These little creatures are capable of destroying your property and poisoning your food. Thus, knowing the familiar rodents and how to control these pests is fundamental. In this paper, we shall look at different rodent types available inside the house and provide prevention measures and rodent control methods.

House Mice

Mice live under our roofs more than any other creature. These tiny brown things have long tails and big ears. At night, they explore, and through thin spaces, their bodies slip in, making it easier for them to be inside your home. Their nature is bad because they ruin your house items and pollute your food with harmful germs, like hantaviruses and salmonellas.

To successfully eliminate rodents who have taken residence in a home, it is imperative that all the crevices or gaps on the outside of the house be covered. Also, maintaining a clean and tidy house without any mess may prevent mouse infestation; food should only be stored in airtight containers. Nevertheless, traps and bait for house mice can be effective, provided they are used safely as per instructions given to them.

Norway Rats

Norway rats are significantly larger than house mice and are characterized by their brown fur and blunt noses, prompting their alternative name, brown rats. These rodents normally dwell in basements, attics, and creep spaces but can also live outdoors. Besides chewing wires and insulation, which can damage properties, Norway rats harbour numerous diseases, including leptospirosis and typhus.

To stop and control the Norway rat infestations, first seal up any cracks or holes outside your house, especially around the foundation. Keep your space neat and tidy, and remember to keep foodstuffs in airtight containers.

Traps and baits can also work well, but it is paramount that you use them safely by adhering strictly to the manufacturer’s directives. To deter and handle Norway rat invasions, start by closing off any gaps or openings on the outer side of your house, particularly near its foundation. Avoid making a mess and overstuffing things within; store groceries in airtight boxes.

Traps and bait work effectively; however, it is important to be cautious when using these tools and follow their respective instructions carefully.

Roof Rats

Old Roof’s Rats, also an appetite for black rats, have dimensions less than those of Norway’s, with black or brown covering fur plus pointed nostrils. They commonly reside in attics and other high places or may even be on the street sometimes. Roof rats carry diseases like the plague and typhus. They chew out every wire they see like a toxic parasite or destroy any insulating material.

To stop and manage infestations of Norway rats, one should seal any holes and/or gaps in his/her residence’s outer layer, particularly around the foundation. Cleaning a house and keeping it free from mess ensures that food is stored in containers that do not allow air into it. However, it is essential to use the traps for Norway rats with caution and as per the guidelines provided to control these rodents most effectively.

Squirrels

Squirrels, in contrast to rodents, are not genuinely rodents. However, they can lead to the same difficulties in houses. They are characterized by biting through wires and damaging attics and crawl areas. Moreover, these pests are also agents of some diseases, like tularemia or salmonella.

To prevent squirrel infestations, you should seal off all the cracks and gaps on your house’s exterior. Pay attention to the roof since that is where most gaps are located. Tree branches that touch the house should be trimmed off since they provide easy access for the animals. Squirrel traps and exclusion devices can also be effective, but they need to be used safely and according to instructions.