Rodents might be the ultimate pests. These small mammals are often more clever than we may give them credit for and can wreak havoc on your property if left unaddressed. They spread disease, they destroy property, and they cause serious stress.
If you’ve got rodents on your property, just getting a good night’s sleep can be a challenge. So, if you’ve been wondering how to get rid of rodents on your Sacramento property, keep reading.
About Rodents In Sacramento
While squirrels and groundhogs cause their share of trouble in Sacramento, it’s their smaller cousins that tend to be the most disruptive for local homes and businesses. Common rodents found in Sacramento include:
- Roof rats - Roof rats are black or dark brown in color and usually measure between 6 and 8 inches in length. As their name implies, they prefer to live in elevated areas like roofs and trees. Roof rats are very adaptable and often live in colonies with many members.
- House mice – These innocent-looking pests are typically gray in color and measure between 2 1/2 to 4 inches in length. They have a rounder, softer appearance compared to rats.
- Norway rats – Also known as “sewer rats” or “city rats” these rodents are big, bad, and mean business. Norway rats can grow up to 10 inches or larger and have brown fur with a light underbelly and a long tail.
Rodents like these can cause a number of diseases including salmonellosis, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and rat bite fever. They can gnaw through wood and heavy plastic and may even damage electrical wires, which can potentially cause a fire. These pests are dangerous to have on your property, and getting rid of them should be your top priority.
Why Rodents Invade Homes & Businesses
Human settlements offer easy access to food, water, and shelter. Rodents infiltrate our property to feed and for a safe place to breed and raise their young. As long as there have been people living indoors, there have been rodents sneaking around.
Rodents are highly resilient pests that can adapt to a variety of situations and environments. They also don’t need much space to enter your home or business. Most mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel while rats only need a hole the size of a quarter.
Why Rodents Are Difficult To Get Rid Of
Rodents often hide in out-of-reach areas that are difficult to access. They breed relatively quickly and produce a lot of young. A single female mouse can give birth to up to 56 pups per year. Multiply that by several female mice and you’re looking at a severe infestation.
Many rodents are also smart enough to avoid store-bought baits and traps. That’s why the best way to get rid of rodents on your Sacramento property is to call the experts at Neighborly Pest Management. We offer a full range of rodent control services including free inspections, trapping, exclusion, and sanitation.
If you’ve got rodent problems in Sacramento, contact us to learn more about how we can help you.
How To Prevent Rodents
You can keep rodents off of your property with some easy everyday practices. To prevent rodents, you can:
- Clean up. Simply make sure there are no food scraps or crumbs to attract rodents. Wipe down countertops, sweep floors, and vacuum carpets often.
- Seal entrances. Inspect the exterior of your property for holes, cracks, and openings. Stuff holes with steel wool and patch cracks with metal lathe.
- Switch to metal. Use metal or glass containers to store your pantry foods. Try switching to a metal garbage can to discourage rodents.
For more information about rodents in Sacramento or assistance with rodent control services, contact Neighborly Pest Management today.