Dealing with any kind of pest in your Eureka home can be difficult and frustrating, but one of the worst to encounter are rodents. Mice and rats are common household pests in our area, and while they might seem small and relatively harmless, they pose many risks and problems.
Mice and rats are two different species, but they have some similarities in appearance and behavior. They cause similar kinds of damage and health risks, but there are some key differences. While you might encounter both rodents species at one point or another, it’s extremely rare to have infestations of both at the same time.
Since they look so similar, here is a brief guide to help you tell mice and rats apart:
Mice are smaller than rats, but baby rats can be about the same size as mice.
Most mice have tails about the same length as their bodies, while rats have tails that are longer than their bodies.
Mice are usually greyish brown, while rats can be anywhere from grey to dark brown to black.
Mice have large ears while rats have smaller ears.
Rats have heads that are bigger in proportion to their bodies.
Why Are Rodents So Dangerous?
Rodents like mice and rats are sometimes kept as pets, so it might be easy to assume that they aren’t very dangerous. The truth is that the feral infestations of mice and rats can cause both a great deal of property damage because they constantly chew on things, and they are a health risk.
Here are five main reasons why mice and rats are considered dangerous to human health:
They can carry and transmit about 35 diseases, including some serious ones like salmonella and hantavirus.
Even the things they leave behind like their fur, urine, and feces can carry diseases.
Large infestations can cause feces to build up, and this can cause respiratory issues.
Rodents can carry parasites
Some people can have allergic reactions and asthmas attacks because of the droppings and fur.
Why Are Rats And Mice Hard To Get Rid Of?
Since these pests cause many problems and threaten your safety, it’s important to guard against them and remove them if you have an infestation. However, they are rather difficult to remove for a few reasons.
One reason they are hard to get rid of is that they reproduce quickly. One female mouse can have up to ten litters per year and produce up to 144 pups. Secondly, rodents are hard to keep out of a structure because they can fit through extremely small cracks and holes. Despite their size, mice can fit through holes the size of a dime, and rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter.
On top of this, many removal methods, such as traps, are only a band-aid. They might remove a few rodents, but they don’t address the infestation.
What’s The Best Kind Of Rodent Control?
Getting rid of mice and rats can be extremely difficult on your own. The best way to protect your Eureka home from these dangerous animals is to contact the pest control experts at Accurate Termite & Pest Solutions. As a locally owned and operated company, we are committed to providing our customers with high-quality, customizable pest control options. Give us a call today to set up your free inspection.