The most common types of rodents that are found in Pensacola homes are rats and mice. These small animals can easily invade your home and cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. At EnSec, we have been providing comprehensive pest control in Pensacola for decades, and we know exactly how to get the pesky rodents out of your home for good.
How To Identify A Rodent Infestation In Your Home
Both mice and rats like to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible. They will usually wait until you are asleep or out of the house before they come out in the open to search for food. If you are unable to catch sight of these sneaky rodents, there are a few clues that you can watch out for that will let you know that you have rodents in your home.
Some of the telltale signs that rodents leave behind include:
- Holes on your walls: Both mice and rats will chew holes in the walls of your home, cabinets, furniture, and any other object that is not primarily made of metal or glass.
- Rodent droppings: Rodents have high metabolisms which cause them to defecate often. A rat dropping is about ¾ of an inch long, dark brown or black, and shaped like an oval. A mouse dropping looks quite similar, but it is much small and usually only measures about ¼ of an inch long.
- Musty smell: Both mice and mice will leave urine and feces all over your home. Most of the time, the waste is left in between your walls, which makes it almost impossible to clean up. After a few weeks, the rodent waste will start to smell. If you start to notice a strong, musty smell that won't go away on its own, there is a good chance that you have a rodent problem.
- Bite marks: Rodents will chew on anything and everything that they can. If you notice small bite marks on your furniture, walls, cabinets, baseboards, or food packaging, you should have your home inspected for rodents as soon as possible.
- Squeaking sounds: If you have mice or rats in your home, you may start to hear high-pitched squeaks or chirps coming from your walls or ceiling. Both rats and mice will let out these sounds when they are scared or angry. If you hear them often, you probably have a severe rodent infestation.
Mice and rats will usually spend the majority of their time in between the walls of your home. This means that you will more than likely hear scratching sounds coming from your walls. If you think that you have rodents in between your walls, you should call a pest control specialist as soon as possible.
Both Rats And Mice Are Dangerous To Have In Your Home
Mice and rats can cause a lot of damage to your home that could be potentially dangerous. For example, they can get into your walls and chew on the electrical wiring, which could cause a short or could even cause your electrical system to catch fire.
Rodents are also known carriers of a wide range of diseases. Some of the diseases and viruses that they have been known to spread include:
- Leptospirosis
- Monkeypox
- Salmonellosis
- Lassa fever
- Hantavirus
- Luju hemorrhagic fever
- Rickettsialpox
People can catch these diseases through direct and indirect contact. There is also a virus called rat-bite fever that people can catch by being scratched or bitten by a rat or by unknowingly touching or consuming rat fecal matter and urine. If you develop symptoms of any of these illnesses, you should see a medical professional immediately.
Factors That Attract Rodents To Your Home
Rodents will come into your home in search of food, shelter, and water. Some of the things that may attract a rat or mouse to your home could include:
- Open garbage cans that are left outdoors
- Leaky pipes or any other open water source
- Pet food or any food that is left out in the open
- Fruit trees and vegetable gardens
- Boxes, bags, and other clutter laying around your home
During the winter, rodents will try to find a place to escape the cold temperatures. If they can sense warmth through any gaps or cracks in your home, they will do their best to come inside your house.
The Safe And Effective Way To remove Rodents On Your Property
Getting too close to rats and mice can be extremely dangerous. At EnSec, our number one goal is to keep our customers safe. If you see any signs of rodents in your Pensacola home, give us a call today. We have a team of specially trained professionals who know how to get rid of rodents quickly and permanently.