Rodent Identification & Prevention Guide For Alabama

What are rodents?

Rodents are a type of mammal that can be found throughout most of the world, and many species including mice and rats have adapted to living near people, which makes Alabama the perfect place. Rodents are prolific breeders and voracious eaters; this means they are continuously searching for food. Unfortunately, our homes and businesses often provide mice, rats, and other rodents with their basic needs. Rodents are part of the order “Rodentia.” Rodentia means “to gnaw” and is what these furry creatures are well-known for. All rodents, no matter the species, have front incisors that are constantly growing which means rodents are constantly chewing to prevent overgrowth.

a house mouse under a rock over hang

Rodents tend to be a year-round problem and we need to take great care to make our properties as unappealing as possible in order to keep them away from our families, homes, and personal belongings.

Are rodents dangerous?

Mice and rats pose many serious dangers to your family and your home's structure. The high metabolism of a rodent causes it to process the food it eats quickly and produce a lot of waste. As rodents travel through a home, they contaminate food and surfaces with their excrement. Rodents spread bacteria, disease-causing pathogens, and parasites that make people ill. An unpleasant musty odor often develops near where rodents build their nest from the build-up of urine and excrement.

Mice and rats love to chew on things to help keep their teeth from overgrowing. This need to chew means rodents will gnaw on wires, pipes, drywall, wallpaper, flooring, furniture, clothing, and other structural and personal items once they find their way inside your home. A rodent’s chewing habits may cause short circuits, which can lead to fires. Holes made by rodents in pipes may lead to water damage and mold issues. In addition, when rodents move into sheds or garages, they can damage cars, lawnmowers, and other equipment by nesting inside them or chewing on wires and cables.

Why do I have a rodent problem?

Rodents have become a problem on your property because they have discovered it offers them the things they need to lead a happy life. If your yard provides mice and rats access to food and shelter, they won’t hesitate to take advantage. Gardens, trash cans, compost areas, pet food, and outdoor eating areas are very inviting to rodents. Pair easy access to food with lots of dense vegetation, tall grass, woodpiles, and other places to hide and rodents won’t be able to resist.

Why shy, once living in your yard, rodents will begin exploring and searching for even more food sources. If the weather becomes too hot, too cold, or otherwise unsuitable, rodents will move indoors to escape it.

Where will I find rodents?

Rodents are prey animals and prefer to live in dark, quiet areas that are not heavily traveled. Outside, rodents nest in tree cavities, under woodpiles, near tree stumps or fallen trees, and in areas of dense vegetation. When inside our homes or businesses, they nest in areas close to food sources like behind wall voids, under floors, in attics, in closets, and basements.

Since mice and rats are both nocturnal, most people won’t see them during the day (except in the case of a large infestation). People often hear rodent activity at night when they are most active. If rodents are present, you may hear scurrying or scratching sounds above ceilings or behind walls.

How do I get rid of rodents?

If you are looking to eliminate rodents from your property, reach out to the professionals at Prewett Pest Control. Through advanced technology and convenient and modern services, we offer our customers exceptional rodent control and prevention services. Get rid of rodents and keep them from returning to your residential or commercial property, by reaching out to the experts at Prewett Pest Control. Contact us today to learn more about our local and effective rodent control plans in Auburn, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, and the surrounding communities!

How can I prevent rodents in the future?

To help stop mice and rats from taking over your Alabama property, we want to offer some easy-to-execute pest prevention tips:

Block entry points into your home; make sure to seal any cracks and crevices, seal spaces around utilities, and place covers over vents.
Cut tree branches and shrubbery back away from the exterior of your home.
Make sure the seals under and around exterior doors, sliding glass doors, or garage doors are intact.
Keep trash cans, compost bins, and recycling bins away from the outside of your home and make sure they have tight-fitting lids on them.
Rodents love bird seed, remove bird feeders from your property, or place them at the edge of your property away from your home.
Store pet food in plastic or metal containers with locking lids.
Inside your home, keep floors and counters clear of crumbs and other food debris and vacuum floors regularly.
Only eat in the kitchen or dining room.
Inside, keep storage areas clear of debris and organized to limit the number of rodent hiding spots.