This winter season, many different types of rodents will be trying to get inside your Moline home. Knowing how to prevent them from doing so is key to saving yourself time and money. There is a different ‘best’ method of extermination for each rodent, so being able to identify which pest is invading your house is a priority when trying to eliminate them effectively.
Identifying Common Rodents
The most likely culprits that will try to invade your home are house mice and Norway rats. House mice usually have pointed noses and are gray with long hairy tails. They are around 3 to 4 inches long and have large round ears. Norway rats, on the other hand, are nearly three times as long, growing up to 11 inches in length. They are usually brown or dark gray with a lighter belly and have a slanted nose and smaller ears than other common rats.
While these two are the most common, other rodents that may invade are deer mice and meadow voles. Deer mice are about the same size as house mice, and can be similar in color to them, but have distinct white undersides and feet. Meadow voles usually grow to about 4½ inches long but are much rounder in appearance. They are brown to black and have a short, stubby nose. Being able to identify each type of rodent that may infest your home is essential in order to deal with them correctly.
How to Spot Infestation
Both mice and rats are nocturnal creatures. They are most active at night and rest during the day, making finding them somewhat tricky. Unless you stay up searching the dark for them, you aren’t likely to just run into them during the day. Rodents are usually territorial, so mice and rats aren’t likely to occupy the same space at the same time, which fortunately means that you won’t have to deal with both together.
Since the pests themselves are hard to find, you should hunt for other signs of an infestation. Signs include droppings, scratching noises (usually inside the walls or ceiling), small footprints in dusty basements or attics, and gnawing damage to any surfaces in your home. If you find any of these, there is likely an infestation somewhere in your house.
Preventing Infestation
If rats and mice are entering your house, that means there is something inside that is attracting them. Mice like foods such as fruits, grains, and seeds. If you have any of these sitting out for an extended period, you are pretty much inviting pests in for a meal. Make sure you don’t leave food out for longer than necessary, including pet food, and make sure all trash ends up in a sealed location. If possible, seal up any holes or gaps that lead inside your house, including the areas around utility wires and pipes. Caulk or seal around windows and doors. Use door sweeps under doors, especially garage doors.
Professional Help
Despite taking measures to try to stop rodents from getting into your Moline home, you may still find yourself with an infestation. You shouldn’t attempt to get rid of rodents on your own, as it can be dangerous. Rodent droppings can transmit bacteria, and cornering rodents can cause them to go on the defensive. The best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to contact the professionals at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators. At Quik-Kill, our trained technicians can help you with a year-round pest control plan that will keep your Moline home free from rodents and other pests.