Is Professional Rodent Control Necessary For My Ventura County Home?

Rodents have always been a problem in California, but cases have been on the rise in recent years. It is not uncommon for Ventura County residents to discover mice or rats on their properties. If your home has rodents, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of dealing with the infestation. Rats and mice are a nuisance and can even be dangerous, so it is crucial that rodent issues are handled promptly, safely, and effectively. Effective rodent control begins with identifying an infestation. Continue reading to learn the signs of rats and mice, the hazards they pose, and your options for eliminating them.

Home-Invading Rodents In Ventura County

There are two types of rodents that you may encounter on your Ventura County property: rats and mice. Typically a home will have one or the other, but it’s very rare to have both at the same time. Both mice and rats can expose you and your family to disease and damage your property, but they differ in size and appearance. It’s important to be able to identify each of these rodent species:

Rats

Rats are the larger of the two rodents, typically measuring between 6 and 9 inches, not including their tails. They are usually brown with some black hairs interspersed, with lighter undersides. Rats have long bodies, small eyes and ears, a blunt muzzle, and scaly tails.

Mice

Mice are quite a bit smaller than rats, usually 2 ½ - 3 ¾ inches long, plus their tails. They have dusty gray or brownish fur, with cream-colored bellies. Their bodies are rounder than those of rats, and they have pointed muzzles, large ears, and long fur-covered tails.

Hazards Of Rodents

Rats and mice aren’t just annoying; they are also dangerous. Both types of rodents can carry leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and tularemia. Some species of mice also transmit lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) and the deadly hantavirus, and rats can cause rat-bite fever and typhus. Rodents can additionally cause allergies and bring parasites like fleas and ticks into your home.

Rodents are detrimental to property as well as people. Both rats and mice will chew through materials such as drywall and wood while searching for food and water, and rats can even chew through lead pipes. Rodents will also chew through electrical wiring, which increases the risk of fire. If left to their own devices, these pests can inflict serious damage that is costly to repair.