The Most Effective Way To Keep Rodents Away From Your San Mateo Home

Nobody wants to find mice in the walls or rats on their roof, but rodent problems are more common than you might think for San Mateo residents. Here's what local homeowners in San Mateo should know about the types of rodents they may encounter and how dangerous these pests can be.

Just as importantly, we'll share how you can prevent or safely get rid of them – and keep them away permanently – with pest control in San Mateo.

Common Types Of Home-Invading Rodents In San Mateo

The first step to rodent control in San Mateo is figuring out which type of rodent you're dealing with, and for local residents, it's usually one of these types:

• Roof rat: Growing up to seven inches in length not including their long tails, roof rats have dark fur and are known for their great climbing abilities.
• Norway rat: Norway rats aren't as agile or slender as roof rats are, and tend to have bulkier, longer bodies that can grow up to eleven inches in length. You may also hear these rats referred to as brown rats.
• House mouse: House mice are significantly smaller than roof rats, only growing up to four inches long. Their bodies are also rounder with cream-colored bellies, beady eyes, and round ears.

No matter which type of rodent has found its way into your house, their presence is sure to spell trouble.

All The Problems Rodents Can Create Around Your House

Nobody wants to share their house with a mouse or a rat, but there are several reasons why rodents pose a dangerous threat to homeowners, such as:

Disease: Are rodents dangerous? The biggest reason that rodents are dangerous is that they can spread different diseases and bacteria. Some of the most common diseases that rodents are responsible for spreading include tularemia, hantavirus, salmonella, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. While a bite or scratch is not out of the question, rats and mice primarily spread these diseases through their urine or fecal matter.

Damage Property: Besides spreading disease and bacteria, rodents can also destroy your property and home. Rats and mice can chew through a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, vinyl, and more. These rodents may chew through your walls to gain entry into your home, tear up insulation so they can build a nest, or chew through electrical wires.

Parasites: As if the diseases they carry on their own aren't enough, rodents also have the potential to bring in other parasites as well, like ticks, fleas, and mites. Not only can these parasites infest your home and your pets, but some parasites, like ticks, also carry their own risks for spreading disease.

A little mouse may not seem like such a big deal, but any rodent in your home should be cause for alarm.

Five Easy & Effective Rodent Exclusion Tips

While rodents can sometimes end up in your home accidentally, these pests are usually attracted to your home for one reason or another. Some easy ways to prevent rodents in your San Mateo home include:

1. Use steel wool, caulking, or another type of rodent-proof material to seal off any tiny holes or cracks that you may find around your home.
2. Use airtight containers and packages to store leftovers, and make sure your trash bags are durable enough not to leak or leave holes.
3. Avoid creating clutter around your home that rodents may try to use as nesting areas.
4. Trim back any low-hanging tree branches that are too close to your home, and if you've got fruit trees, pick up fallen fruit.
5. Avoid feeding any outdoor animals or birds, which may also attract rodents.

The final step is working with a residential pest control professional to ensure your home is not attracting rodents or to get rid of an existing infestation.

The Secret To Total Rodent Control For Your Home

You may not be able to control every factor that attracts rodents to your San Mateo home, but you can still keep rodents out if you use professional help from Pacific Pest Management. We're the trusted choice for rodent management in San Mateo, and we've dealt with rodent infestations of every size.

If you suspect you may have a rodent problem or you've already identified one in your San Mateo home, there's no time to waste. Contact us today at Pacific Pest Management to learn more about our rodent control services.