Some pests are easy to deal with, for instance: flies. With a small amount of effort and a handy fly swatter, these pests are hopeless. The same thing cannot be said about rodents. Not only can these pests not be killed with a fly swatter, but they also regularly evade traps designed to capture them. If this isn’t bad enough, trying to handle an infestation of rodents is also dangerous. Here are some things to consider to help you understand why you shouldn’t try to get rid of Houston's rodents on your own.
The Problems Rodents Cause
All pests fall into at least one of three problem categories: they are annoying, destructive, or dangerous. Rodents such as mice and roof rats are common rodents in our area that fit all three. Nearly everything these pests do is annoying, including the noise they make late at night while homeowners are trying to sleep. These pests annoy homeowners by chewing holes through walls, boxes of food, and furniture. They also tear up things like insulation and fabrics to build their nests. As for danger, rodents both directly spread disease off their bodies and through their droppings and urine and indirectly through parasitic pests they carry, such as fleas and ticks. Some of the most common diseases you might contract from having rodents inside your home are salmonellosis, hantavirus, rat-bite fever, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and murine typhus.
A Rodents Elusive Nature
Now that you know why you don’t want rodents crawling around inside your home, let's talk about why these pests are so challenging to deal with. To begin, rodents are elusive. Not only are they nocturnal, but they also have an aversion to humans. If your home has an active rodent infestation, you will only see these pests if you catch one late at night by flicking a light on or if your walls are getting crowded and they are being forced out into the open during the day.
How Rodents Use Their Intelligence
There is a good reason why rodents are regularly used in intellectual studies. These invasive creatures are hyper-intelligent and adept at solving puzzles, sensing danger, and adapting to their surroundings. This is seen in how they traverse wall voids, set off snap traps without being caught to get free food and avoid areas where pesticide has been applied.
Some Ways To Prevent Rodents
If your home does not yet have a rodent infestation and you want to keep it that way, you need some quality prevention tips. Here are some that are sure to help you out.
- Identify and seal holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Install wire screens over exterior vents and out spouts.
- Repair damage to window/door screens.
- Keep your living areas clean.
- Store leftover food away inside air-tight containers.
- Make sure your trash cans have rodent-proof lids.
The Only Way To Effectively Handle An Infestation of Rodents
It does not take long for two rodents to turn into a severe problem. To ensure these pests do not reproduce, damage your property, and threaten you and your family with sickness, hire the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite today. Our team has the advanced equipment to identify, eliminate, and prevent these nasty creatures. We would be happy to put our expertise to work around your Houston property. Call us today to find a time to have rodents removed from your living areas.