Rodent Identification & Prevention In Alabama & Florida

Frequently Asked Questions About Rodents

What are rodents?

Mice and rats are examples of rodents that live in large numbers across Alabama and Florida. Like all the other rodents living worldwide, mice and rats have front incisors that continuously grow throughout their life, and are what identifies them from other types of mammals. Though both rats and mice have some similarities, including long tails, fur-covered bodies, and beady eyes, they also have significant differences that help tell them apart.

Consulting with a professional to determine which type of rodent has invaded your space and determine a treatment plan to remove these pests from your home, is always essential as a young rat looks very similar to an adult mouse.

Compared to their body size, the tail and ears of a mouse are larger than the rat's ears and tail. The rat's tail is naked, while the mouse has a light layer of fur covering it. Mouse fur often looks neater and more well-kept than that of the rat. A rat's coat often looks coarse and disheveled. Another difference is their heads. Mice have a triangular-shaped head while the rat's head is more rounded or blunt appearing. Compared to the size of their body, the rat's head is larger than that of the mouse.

Are rodents dangerous?

Many things that rodents do and introduce onto our properties make them unwanted and dangerous pests. Here are some examples:

• Rodents carry and spread  pathogens, bacteria, and more in their waste and saliva that make people ill.
• Rodents contaminate food and food prep areas.
• Rodents carry various parasites like fleas and ticks in their fur that they will introduce into our yards and homes. Parasites also carry and transmit diseases to people.
• Their shed fur and feces trigger allergies in many people.
• They use their sharp teeth to create openings to get into and move throughout your home.
• Rodents chew through and damage wires, pipes, cables, insulation, and other structural elements.
• Their chewing behaviors can trigger fires and cause water leaks and water damage.

Why do I have a rodent problem?

Rats, mice, and other rodents thrive in the warm weather found throughout Alabama and Florida throughout much of the year. The warm temperatures keep them happy and provide them with plenty of food. Rodents are opportunistic by nature; if food suddenly becomes scarce, the temperature drops, or it becomes too hot for them to be comfortable, they will move into our homes and businesses.

Rodents are prolific breeders, and just a few finding food and shelter on a property can quickly turn into a large and difficult to control infestation.

Where will I find rodents?

Rodents are very adaptable and live in large numbers in fields, wooded areas, along riverbanks, near marshes and swamps, and in our yards. Many types of mice and rats have learned that our yards and homes provide the perfect place to live and breed.

They can get their breakfast, lunch, and dinner from our trash cans, our pet's food bowls, compost piles, and our gardens. Our yards also provide great places for them to hide: under decks, shrubs, and bushes, in our gardens, under fallen trees, or in our garages or sheds.

If they decide to move into our homes to escape bad weather or if food becomes scarce, they will move to dark, quiet areas to nest. Rodents like to nest near food sources, so some of their favorite nesting spots include the backs of cabinets, behind appliances, in wall voids, in crawl spaces, and inside attics.