One of the most common and alarming pests in the United States is rodents. While the idea of having rodents in your home is terrifying, it is actually pretty common. According to the United States Census Bureau, 14.8 million homes had a rodent issue in 2021.[1]
Have you ever heard scurrying noises in your walls? Maybe you have noticed scratching sounds that appear the loudest at night. If so, you could be dealing with a rat or mice infestation.
While you might be tempted to attempt to remove the rodents on your own, this is never recommended. First, it can be incredibly difficult to locate the rodents and be sure that you have eliminated them all. Even if you do find them, they can carry dangerous diseases that you could catch if they bite or scratch you.
Now that you know you shouldn’t attempt to eliminate the rodents by yourself, what should you do? The best way to get rid of rodents in your home or business is to contact a professional rodent removal company like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers.
In this article, you will learn:
- What types of rodents infest homes
- How to find rodent and pest control services near you
- Why you should choose a professional rodent control service to remove mice and rats from your home
What Kinds of Rodents Infest Homes?
Having a rat or mouse problem in your home or business can be incredibly stressful. They can leave their droppings in your home, spread diseases, and even do damage to insulation or electrical wires. When you have a rodent problem, it can be helpful to understand what types of mice and rats you might be dealing with.
The most common types of rodents found in homes include:
Deer Mice
Deer mice are found throughout the United States. They tend to prefer agricultural areas and make their nests in tree hollows and log piles. However, they might come inside of homes during the winter months to shelter from the cold.
These mice are the most common carriers of a disease called the hantavirus.[2] This disease can be spread to humans and may lead to life-threatening symptoms like kidney damage or respiratory issues. It is usually spread by inhaling dust particles that are contaminated with rodent feces or urine.
House Mice
House mice are the most common rodents to infest homes throughout the United States. They like to nest in dark and secluded areas. You might find them infesting your attic or another dimly lit area of the home.
The main risk associated with house mice is damage to your property. They can chew through insulation, drywall, and electrical wires. House mice can also spread diseases like salmonella by contaminating the food in your cupboards.[3]
Norway Rats
Norway rats are also found in every state in America. They are larger than mice and are nocturnal. If you have Norway rats in your home, you will notice that you hear scurrying noises in your ceiling or walls at night.
These rats can also do significant damage to your home by creating entry points in your drywall, chewing through insulation, and chewing electrical wires. They also carry a variety of diseases, including the plague, rat-bite fever, the cowpox virus, and more.[4]
Roof Rats
While roof rats are originally from Southeast Asia, they are now found in many states in America. They tend to live in colonies, which means if you have a roof rat infestation, there could be hundreds of them.
Roof rats can cause damage to your home and spread diseases. They tend to carry the plague, typhus, trichinosis, and more.[5]
How to Find Rodent Exclusion Near You
If you hear rodents scurrying around your home, you might be tempted to set up some bait stations to catch them. While this can work for small infestations, becoming rodent-free is usually a longer process. It can be difficult to determine how many rats or mice you have without hiring a professional.
Additionally, dealing with rodents on your own can be dangerous. When you come across a rat or mouse, you might scare it and cause it to bite you. As a result, you could contract a dangerous disease.
Instead of dealing with it yourself, you should consider hiring an effective rodent exclusion company in West Palm Beach. Thankfully, Nuisance Wildlife Rangers are here to help you. We serve the Palm Beach area and most of the state of Florida.
Once we assess the rodent infestation at your home or business, we will create a treatment plan. This plan will involve trapping, removing, and preventing future rodent infestations.
Get Connected to a Rodent Exclusion Service in Palm Beach
If you or a loved one is dealing with a rodent problem, Nuisance Wildlife Rangers are here to help. We have decades of experience in treating and preventing rodent infestations from reoccurring. In other words, we can remove all of the rats or mice from your house and prevent them from coming back.
Contact us today to learn more about our rodent exclusion service in Palm Beach.
References:
- The United States Census Bureau: How Many American Homes Have Pests
- Washington State Department of Health: Hantavirus
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Studies on salmonellosis in the house mouse, Mus musculus
- Los Angeles Department of Public Health: The Norway Rat in Downtown Los Angeles
- The University of Arizona: Roof Rats