Oh, rats - you’ve discovered rodents in your home! Don’t panic. Rodents are a common problem for Opelika homeowners, and there are solutions for getting (and keeping) them out of your house. Rats, mice, and even squirrels will enter homes searching for food, water, and shelter. To make matters worse, rodents can transmit diseases and cause property damage.
Every winter, these pests invade about 21 million homes in the United States. If your home is one of them, we can help you get them out. Read on to learn which rodents to be aware of, the risks they pose, and how to prevent and eliminate them in Opelika.
Top Rodents In Opelika
Rodents are small mammals characterized by strong incisor teeth and include mice, rats, and squirrels. Let’s look at the most common rodents in Opelika, Daphne, Fairhope, Orange Beach, and Foley.
House Mice
House mice are the rodents most likely to invade your home. They have gray or brownish fur and cream-colored bellies. Their bodies measure 2 ½ to 3 ¾ inches, with tails between 2 ¾ and 4 inches long. They typically nest in dark, quiet areas of homes, such as attics or basements.
Deer Mice
Deer mice are about the same size as house mice, 2 ¾ - 4 inches long. They have brown fur with white feet and undersides. Deer mice are typically found outdoors in rural areas, but they come indoors seeking warmth and shelter in the winter months. Deer mice are dangerous to humans because they can carry hantavirus, which is potentially fatal.
Norway Rats
Norway rats are 7-9 inches long, not including their tails. They are usually brown with interspersed black hairs and have lighter undersides. Also called street rats or sewer rats, they are well-known for their tendency to gnaw through almost any material, searching for food and water.
Roof Rats
Roof rats measure about 6-8 inches and have tails that are longer than their bodies. They are predominantly brown, with some black mixed in, and have white, gray, or black undersides. Roof rats get their name from their penchant for nesting in attics and rafters of buildings.
Squirrels
Squirrels are bushy-tailed, grayish rodents known for their climbing ability. They are less likely to invade homes than other rodents but will sometimes enter structures searching for food or shelter. While they are not known to spread disease, they can damage property inside and out of your home.
What Everyone Ought To Know About Rodents
Rodents have lived among us for centuries, depending on us for food, water, and shelter. Throughout our history, they have been annoying us, disgusting us, and even indirectly killing us.
Rats and mice are vectors of several diseases. Rats spread jaundice, typhus, rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, and more. At the same time, house mice transmit salmonellosis, leptospirosis, tularemia, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM). Deer mice are extremely dangerous as they carry the potentially deadly hantavirus, in addition to several other diseases.
Due to the health risks they pose, rodents should be kept out of your home at all costs, but this is easier said than done. Rats can fit through openings the size of a quarter, while mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. Once they gain entry, they damage wood, drywall, and other materials by chewing through them as they search for food and water.
Rodents are a serious issue. The potential for health risks and property damage makes it crucial that rodent populations are quickly eliminated from your home.
Professional Rodent Control In Opelika
Rodent populations can multiply rapidly and hide away in areas of your home that are difficult to access. This makes DIY rodent control a challenge for homeowners in the Opelika area. To ensure that rodents are fully eliminated from your home, contact the experts at Prewett Pest Control & Termite.
Prewett Pest Control & Termite serves the greater Opelika area, including Daphne, Fairhope, Orange Beach, and Foley, with quality pest control services. We have brought pest control into the 21st century, providing modern, convenient, and effective services. Whether you are dealing with mice, rats, or squirrels, Prewett Pest Control & Termite has got you covered. Contact us today to schedule your free inspection.
Preventing Future Rodent Problems
Once your home is rodent-free, be sure to take these precautions to keep them from coming back.
To prevent future infestations:
- Seal any cracks, holes, or crevices on the outside of your home.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your house.
- Use sealed containers for food storage.
- Store trash in cans with lids and dispose of it frequently.
- Declutter your home and clean up debris in your yard.
- Address any moisture or humidity issues.
Taking these preventative measures will help protect your property from rodents. Above all, seek professional residential pest control from the team at Prewett Pest Control & Termite if you have any rodent concerns.