Rodents are, unfortunately, a common problem. They can enter our homes through the tiniest of cracks; they reproduce quickly and plentifully; they cause damage throughout the house and spread disease among your family.
At the pinnacle of San Mateo pest control is the remediation of rodent infestations and prevention of such issues on a go-forward basis. Pacific Pest Management has provided residents of San Mateo and the surrounding areas with professional and reliable pest control services. Read on to learn more about rodents and how you can safeguard your family and home.
How To Identify Common Types Of Rodents In San Mateo
Among the most common types of rodents in San Mateo are house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats.
- House mice: Have smooth, grey fur and are 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 inches long. Their tails tend to be 2 to 3 inches in length.
- Norway rats; Have brown fur and can grow 7 to 9 1/2 inches long. Their tails are an additional 6 to 8 inches.
- Roof rats: Have brown and black fur. They can grow 6 to 8 inches, and their tails are almost as long as their bodies.
Aside from direct sightings of the common rodents, if you have a rodent problem, you will find visible gnaw marks, droppings, damaged food, and food containers, rub marks, and ammonia-like odors throughout the house. Our professionals at Pacific Pest Management will identify rodent species and provide solutions to eradicate them.
Rodents Can Spread Disease And Damage Property
All rodents are far from benign, and they pose many dangers. While you certainly may have a rodent sighting, they are nocturnal creatures. You are more likely to see signs of them rather than the pests themselves. There are over 35 diseases associated with rodents, some of which are:
- Hantavirus
- Cowpox virus
- Plague
- Rat-bite fever
- Tularemia
- Food-borne illnesses such as salmonella, listeria, and E. coli
- Jaundice
Rodents will also carry fleas, ticks, and mites into your home on their fur, infesting you and your pets. In addition to diseases you can contract directly or indirectly from rodents, these pests can damage your home.
Rodents’ teeth are constantly growing and forced to gnaw continually. Often, they damage the home's floorboards, moldings, and other wood. They can chew through electrical wiring that could cause a fire in your home. Rodents defecate and urinate throughout the house, staining and soiling your property and contaminating any surface they touch.
The damage that rodents bring about ranges from a nuisance to costly issues, encompassing our possessions and, most importantly, our health and the health of our families. As soon as you observe a rodent problem, call our professionals at Pacific Pest Management.
How And Why Rodents Find Their Way Into Our Homes
Rodents invade our homes to find food, water, and shelter. Once inside, they tend to breed quickly. For instance, a single female mouse can birth as many as 140 offspring per year. As a result, fledgling rodent issues can quickly become a runaway problem.
Mice can enter our homes through holes and cracks as small as a dime, and rats can enter through an opening as small as a penny. As you can imagine, there are many of these access points for small rodents to make their way into our home. Some of these are:
- Cracks in the exterior of the home
- Improperly installed or torn window screens
- Compromised or worn weather stripping
- Missing door sweeps
- Chimneys and vents
- Ivy growing along the home, and tree branches touching the roof
Rodents get into our homes in various ways. Luckily, when you call our rodent control professionals at Pacific Pest Management, we can not only eliminate your rodent infestation but recommend a comprehensive, tailor-made plan to prevent further rodent problems by blocking these access points.
The Most Effective Rodent Control For San Mateo Homes
Since rodents multiply quickly and are known to spread numerous severe diseases, rodent pest control is a serious topic. Among the most effective methods for rodent control are:
- Early detection
- Sealing cracks and openings (everything the size of a dime or larger)
- Installing window screens
- Screening vents and chimneys
- Trimming shrubs and cutting back branches so they are not touching the roof
- Disposing of trash quickly
- Keeping your home clutter-free (including storage areas)
- Storing food in airtight containers.
Above all else, if you have any signs of a rodent infestation, take it seriously and call our pest control professionals at Pacific Pest Management immediately. We will thoroughly inspect your premises, treat the problem, and follow up to ensure there are no relapses.