There are many pests you might encounter in your Sacramento home, but some of them are more of a problem than others. Some pests are small insects that don’t do a lot of damage or pose any health risks, but others, like rodents, can spread disease and damage your home. While rodents can seem small and even cute, they can actually be some of the most troublesome pests.
Rodents are some of the most common house-invading pests in the Sacramento area, and they aren’t harmless. Here are the most common rodents found in the area and what they look like:
- Brown rat/Norway rat: This is a stocky species of rat that is often found in the foundations of homes. They have thick bodies and small ears and eyes. Their tails are shorter than their bodies.
- Roof rat/black rat: This species of rat tends to live in places like trees and bushes, but they do get into homes in places like walls and cabinets. They are more slender than the brown rat and have larger ears and eyes. Their noses are pointed, and their tails are longer than their bodies.
- House mice: They are smaller than rats and have a dusty gray color most of the time. Their bodies are round with large, furry ears. They have pointed noses.
It’s important to note that it’s very rare to have both rats and mice at the same time, so if you’ve noticed signs of rodents, you're likely only dealing with one species.
Rodents And Property Damage
While rodents might seem small, looks can be deceiving. Both mice and rats constantly gnaw on things which can lead to big problems for homeowners. Rats are bigger so they can do more damage, but mice usually grow in numbers more quickly so the amount of damage can equal out.
The damage that rodents can do to your Sacramento home is more than just surface or cosmetic issues. Both mice and rats can:
- Chew through and gnaw wires
- Gnaw through plumbing and water lines
- Chew through pipes
- Eat and contaminate food sources.
By chewing through things like electrical wires and piping, rodents can cost homeowners a lot of money on home repairs. It can also be difficult to tell if you have rodents right away, so they could start doing damage before you're even aware of them.
Rodents And Health Risks
While dealing with a pest that causes property damage is bad enough, rodents are a two-fold problem. They can significantly damage your home, but, even more seriously, they pose health risks for you and your family.
Here are some of the risks that rodents pose:
- They have been known to carry and spread 35 diseases.
- They can spread disease through their droppings, saliva, and urine.
- In some cases, they may bite and bites can cause allergic reactions.
- For some people, their droppings and hair might cause allergies or asthma attacks.
- They can sometimes cause respiratory issues as they fill the walls of a home with feces.
- Many rodents, especially rats, carry other parasites that spread pathogens that can harm humans.
Protecting Your Home From Rodents
Rodents pose many risks to Sacramento homeowners, so it’s important to seek professional help at the first sign of an infestation. Neighborly Pest Management and our team of technicians will safely and effectively get rid of rodent infestations or provide prevention assistance. With over 40 years of experience, you can trust our high-quality pest control and affordable prices.