Rodents

(Rodentia)

What are rodents?

Rodents are mammals, and something that every species of rodent has in common is that throughout their life, their chisel-like front teeth are continually growing. In order to prevent their teeth from overgrowing, rodents are constantly chewing on anything they come across, including our homes and belongings.

House mice, roof rats, and Norway rats are examples of rodents that have adapted to living near people. They are common throughout our area of Texas and across the country. In the Conroe area, rodents thrive year-round in our warm-humid weather and can become a problem for home and business owners at any point during the year.

Female mice and rats can reproduce very quickly, giving birth to hundreds of babies in their lifetime! A rodent’s prolific breeding habits and adaptability make these pests very difficult to prevent.

Are rodents dangerous?

If given a choice, mice and rats would want the benefits people provide but would prefer to never come into contact with us. Rodents aren’t aggressive; they tend to be shy and reclusive and do their best to stay out of the limelight. So while being attacked by rodents isn’t generally a concern, they do pose other significant problems when living on our properties and or in our homes.

A rodent’s constant need to chew is one of the biggest problems associated with these pests. They will chew through siding, drywall, wires, pipes, insulation, and anything else they can get their teeth on. Boxes, clothing, shoes, wood trim, and furniture are also regularly damaged by rodent intruders.

As rodents move around, they leave an almost constant urine and feces trail, contaminating the surfaces of structures and food as they travel and feed.

Many diseases and parasites are spread to people and our pets by rodents. Rodents are typically heavily infested with fleas and ticks, parasites that bite, feed on blood, and transmit many serious diseases. Rodents themselves also carry and transmit many bacteria and disease-causing pathogens, including salmonella, rat-bite fever, murine typhus, hantavirus, and leptospirosis.

Why do I have a rodent problem?

You have a problem with rodents because they live all around us. Rodents have adapted quite well to the fact that our habitats have merged and have learned that our properties offer them the things they need to survive. Leaky pipes, yard debris, dense landscaping, gardens, and trash cans can all provide rodents with water, food, and shelter.

Once in our yards, as they explore and look for new food sources or safe shelter, they often end up in our homes, moving inside through spaces they discover in the exterior. Mice only need an area the diameter of a pencil to crawl through, and rats only need the diameter of a quarter!

Where will I find rodents?

Rodents will live almost anywhere and are an issue for people in the country, the suburbs, and urban centers. However, where exactly a rodent prefers to live depends on the species.

• House Mice: Outside house mice nest in tall grass, tree stumps, woodpiles, construction debris, and things like rarely used play structures or playhouses. Attics, basements, storage boxes, cabinets, closets, and other dark, quiet areas provide indoor nesting sites for house mice.
• Roof Rats: These slender rats prefer to nest up off the ground. Outside they nest in trees, vines, woodpiles, and on the roofs of buildings. Inside, attics, the tops of cabinets, roof eaves, rafters, and chimneys are common nesting sites for these rats.
• Norway Rats: These heavy-bodied rats prefer to nest at ground level. Outside, they nest under woodpiles or other piles of debris, along riverbanks, in fields, or under building foundations. Indoor nesting sites usually include crawl spaces, basements, closets, and wall voids.

How do I get rid of rodents?

There is no getting around it; rodents are troublesome pests that want to live near people and will make themselves at home on almost any Texas property. The easiest and most effective way to eliminate rodents and prevent their return is to partner with a local professional. Since 1997 Chase Pest Control has helped people maintain properties that are free of rodents. To combat rodents, we offer the effective services necessary to eliminate these pests, minimizing their dangers and damages quickly.

Give Chase Pest Control a call today and learn more about our reliable rodent control solutions in Conroe, Tx! Let our family protect your family from rodents and other common household pests!

How can I prevent rodents in the future?

When it comes to preventing problems with rodents, it is always best to partner with a professional. In addition to implementing professional pest control services from Chase Pest Control, the following tips will help you avoid problems with rodents.

• Keep rodents out by blocking or repairing as many access points into your home as possible.
• Keep covers on chimneys and vents.
• Place weatherstripping around windows and doors.
• Seal space in the foundation and roofline of your home.
• Fill in gaps around pipes, wires, and other utilities.
• Keep lids on trash cans and compost bins to keep rodents from foraging for food in them.
• Maintain your lawn and garden.
• Indoor and outdoor eating areas should always be free of food debris and cleaned regularly.
• Remove clutter and storage from your yard where rodents could nest and stay hidden.

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest management solutions.