Domestic rodents like mice and rats can be wonderful furry companions, but wild rodents infesting your Fort Worth property are dangerous. Rodents such as mice, rats, and even squirrels can create many problems for property owners, both commercial and residential, and not everyone knows how to keep rodents away. With how common rodent infestations are in the United States, it's always important to know the best methods of prevention and eradication.
Rodents Most Commonly Found Infesting Fort Worth Properties
There are thousands of different species of rodents in the world, but thankfully most of them aren't interested in being household pests. There are only a handful of common rodents that infest Fort Worth homes and businesses:
- House mouse – five to seven inches long with tail, grayish-brown to dark gray fur with cream-colored bellies
- Field mouse – five to eight inches long with tail, gray to tawny brown fur with white bellies
- Roof rat – 12 to 16 inches long with tail, dark brown to black fur with lighter bellies
- Norway rat – 13 to 17 inches long with tail, brown fur with gray or white bellies
- Fox squirrel – up to 30 inches long with tail, gray and black peppered fur with orange bellies
There are huge differences between domestic rodents from pet stores and wild rodents, and it mainly has to do with the environments they're raised in. Pet store rodents are raised in clean environments with zero chances of contracting deadly diseases, but wild mice and rats can be found in dumpsters, sewers, and around damp, decaying plant matter. These locations are perfect breeding spots for bacteria such as salmonella, gastroenteritis, c. difficile, and plague.
Rodent Prevention Tips For Your Fort Worth Property
Rodent infestations don't only pose a threat to your health, they can also cause severe damage to your Fort Worth property. These pests constantly chew to keep their ever-growing incisors filed down to a manageable length, and their teeth are strong enough to chew through low-gauge metal. That means support beams, shingles, pipes, and electrical wires are all at risk of damage with rodent infestations.
It's not easy to get rid of rodents once they've gotten settled down in your property, but with the help of professional assistance and easy prevention tips, you should at least be able to keep rodents away:
- Keep trees and bushes properly manicured and trimmed back
- Remove debris and mulch piles from around your property
- Put tight-fitting lids on all indoor and outdoor trash cans
- Fill in any ground holes around the perimeter of your home
- Repair any gaps and cracks around the exterior of your home – foundation, siding, roof, trim, door frames, window frames, and around pipes and wires
- Install a gravel barrier around the base of your home, roughly two feet wide
- Store food in airtight containers, and don't leave any food sitting out overnight
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly
- Wipe down all counters, food preparation areas, and dining tables daily
The Most Effective Rodent Control For Fort Worth Properties
Rodent infestations are dangerous, but they're also challenging to control on your own. Professional help is always recommended when you're trying to get rid of rodents, and with All-Safe Pest & Termite you're always guaranteed to receive the best service with every visit. Our low-toxicity pesticides make our treatments family-friendly and safe for pets, our residential and commercial treatments are affordable for any budget, and every treatment comes with our very own pest-free guarantee. So get in contact with us today and see the difference our company can make for you.