The Key To Effective Rodent Control For Sacramento Properties

We have several types of rodents in Sacramento. Some are yard rodents that damage lawns, get into gardens, and chew the bark off trees, but they never get into structures. Some are rodents that live in yards but get inside for a short time when conditions outside are unfavorable. Some live in yards and might be considered yard rodents but they can decide to get inside structures and stay.

The worst of the worst are the common rodents that readily choose to get into our homes and businesses and stay, such as house mice and roof rats. Today, we're going to focus on rats and mice since they are the rodents that are most likely to get into structures on your property. Let's look at the warning signs, diseases associated with rats and mice, natural rodent management, and what works best to control Sacramento rodents.

Signs Of Rodents Around Your Sacramento Property

Different types of rodents require different strategies. While all rats and mice can create trouble, some are worse than others. As an example, house mice are worse than deer mice. In most cases, deer mice won't infest domestic residents. If you see a gray mouse, that's probably a house mouse. If you see a mouse with a tawny coloration, that's probably a deer mouse.

Different types of rats also behave differently. Roof rats prefer to get into structures and stay while Norway rats sometimes live in yards and go in and out of structures. While they are common rodents, they're not necessarily common structural pests. It's good to know what you're dealing with. But this is not the primary reason to perform a proper inspection.

An inspection can help you determine whether or not rodents have gotten into a structure on your property and it will give you helpful information for applying a control strategy. After you've applied your strategy, an inspection can help you determine whether or not it was successful.

• Rodent scat is gross but it is useful. Droppings can help you tell if you have tiny rodents (mice) or big rodents (rats). It can tell you where the rodents may be living. If you clean the scat up, you can check back to see if your control has worked. Be sure to wear a mask, ventilator, and protective gloves when cleaning up rodent droppings.

• You don't want to see holes, but the holes rodents create can tell you that you still have a problem, and where the rodents might be living. Look for holes the size of a dime if you're dealing with tiny rodents and holes the size of a quarter if you're dealing with big rodents.

The Diseases Spread By Rodents In Sacramento

Rats and mice can make you sick when they get into structures on your property. This is because they feed on dirty things and crawl around in environments that are dirty. We won't get into the details, but it is important to know that domestic rodents tend to be far more likely to have diseases than woodland rodents. Here are a few common diseases associated with rodents:

• Hantavirus

• Leptospirosis

• Tularemia

• Salmonella, giardia, and E. coli

• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

It is also important to understand that rodents bring ticks and fleas into structures with them. This has the potential to expose you to even more diseases.

Easy & Effective Rodent Prevention Tips For Sacramento Properties

There are many things you can do to control rodents on your own. If you do these things, you may have no trouble with rodents afterward. Be sure to do routine inspections to evaluate the success.

• See holes in your exterior, particularly around utilities and entryways.

• Replace weatherstripping and door sweeps.

• Align double doors that don't have a good seal.

• Protect ventilation, louvers, and other potential entry points.

• Remove bird feeders. Seeds are a primary dietary source for rodents.

• Pick up nuts or fruits from trees that produce them.

• Keep your garbage in covered containers and make sure to remove the trash from your property weekly to avoid scents that attract domestic rodents.

• Stay on top of pet waste clean-up. While dog droppings aren't a preferred food source, urban mice can take to eating them.

• Reduce insects in your yard. Rats and mice eat insects. You can do this by reducing exterior white light. Replace white lights with yellow lights.

• Address standing water in your yard.

• Remove hiding places, particularly woodpiles, branch piles, and leaves.

The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Rodents On Sacramento Properties

Are you dealing with common rodents on your Sacramento property? Are there conditions that are difficult to address or are you experiencing higher-than-normal rodent pressures? If so, reach out to Neighborly Pest Management. Our licensed residential pest control and commercial pest management technicians know the most effective methods and products for removing rodent pests. You don't have to live with rodents. Get help today.