Have you heard about how dangerous rodents can be if they invade your Fairfax property? The truth is that both mice and rats are some of the most frequent pest species in the area, but many property owners don’t think that much about them. Smaller insects are sometimes on people’s minds, but rodents are a real pest danger that it’s important to be aware of. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about deterring rodents from wreaking havoc around your Fairfax home or business.
It’s important to note that both mice and rats can be dangerous and destructive, and they are similar in many ways. However, it’s very rare to have an infestation of both at the same time. These species can also look rather similar, but some crucial differences help tell them apart. Mice are smaller, have larger ears, longer tails, and pointier faces. On the other hand, rats are larger, have smaller ears, shorter tails, and blunter faces. Mice have brown-gray fur, while rats have brownish-gray to black fur.
The Many Problems
Rodents Cause In Fairfax
The issues rodents can cause for residents fall under two categories: property damage and health risks. Here is what you need to know about both of these.
Property damage: Both mice and rats will chew through many materials, even some that you wouldn’t think they could. They can destroy electrical wires, plumbing, clothing, furniture, and other belongings. This can lead to damage to your items as well as expensive repairs to fix your building and the potential risk of fires or flooding.
Health risks: The other concern with rodents is just how dangerous they are to have around. They often have parasites like ticks and fleas living on them. Then, there’s the fact that they can spread illnesses such as salmonella and rat-bite fever. Lastly, the build-up of their fur, urine, and feces can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, allergies, and asthma attacks.
Six Effective Rodent Control Tips
One reason why rodents are particularly difficult to prevent is that they can fit through many small openings. Mice can squeeze through holes the size of a dime, and for rats, it’s the size of a quarter. Their ability to chew through materials also allows them to find ways indoors and expand even tinier holes into entry points.
But, this doesn’t mean there aren’t effective measures to protect against rodents. Here are some specific steps you can take to keep them away:
- Store pet food in sealed containers.
- Make sure to store trash properly by getting tight-fitting lids for all garbage cans.
- Keep your kitchen clean and wipe up food crumbs and drink spills.
- Seal up holes in exterior walls and the foundation using steel wool.
- Get wire mesh coverings for vent and chimney openings.
- Seek assistance from pest control experts.
Why Professional Assistance Is Crucial
Rodents are hard to prevent, but they are even more difficult to eradicate. They can spread quickly throughout a property because they reproduce quickly, and removing every single rodent is nearly impossible using DIY methods.
But, don’t worry, the professionals at Bluebird Pest Solutions are here to help. We offer ongoing rodent control services for commercial and residential properties. To find out more or request an inspection, give us a call today or send a message online.
