Blog Layout

What To Do About Rodents In Your Pleasanton Home

May 8, 2023

Common Rodents To Find Invading Your Home

The two most common home-invading rodents are mice and rats. They look similar and both pose some major problems to your health and property. Learning how to tell them apart is important, however, since a home is almost never infested with both of these territorial mammals at the same time. Here’s how you can tell mice apart from rats: 

  • Size: Mice are much smaller than rats, often only a couple of inches in length. Rats, however, can grow up to a foot or more in length.
  • Ears: The most drastic difference between mice and rats, besides their overall size (which can be misleading when you’re determining a baby rat vs. adult mouse), is to check the ears. Mice ears are large and circular, while rat ears are pinched at the sides and tucked far back on their heads. 
  • Droppings: You’re more likely to see the feces they leave behind than you are to spot a rodent. As such, checking the droppings can help identify the problem. Rats have large, often crescent-shaped feces, while mice have small rice-sized ones. 

The Dangers Of A Rodent Infestation

Rodents aren’t just creatures of squalor, they are actually hazardous to your health and property. Here are just some of the biggest issues that a rodent infestation can expose you to

  • Damage: Both rats and mice have front teeth that never stop growing, meaning they must file them down by chewing on hard surfaces. This results in marks and holes in household items and materials.  
  • Disease: Rodents are known to spread many harmful diseases, including plague and rabies. They also frequently carry parasites like fleas and ticks, which are also dangerous. 
  • Odors: With their unclean habit of leaving their urine and feces all over, rodents will quickly contribute to foul smells in your home.

DIY Methods Almost Never Work

While certain preventative measures, like proper food storage and frequent cleaning, can help make your home less attractive to foraging rodents, there are truly no guarantees when it comes to do-it-yourself methods of removing rodent infestations. By their nature, mice and rats look for shelter to survive cold months and find easy sources of food. As such, anyone can wind up with a rodent problem on their hands and it can quickly grow out of control. Many homeowners try to solve the problem on their own, using unproven treatments they heard about or turning to store-bought traps and chemicals. Not only can these methods be dangerous, but they also rarely work to get every rodent. Only professional solutions can root out and eliminate an entire rodent population , and keep you safe from future invasions. 

Safe & Effective Rodent Control From Patriot

Rather than waste time and money on unsafe and ineffective measures, choose the sure approach by partnering with local experts. At Patriot Pest Management, our trained technicians can get started immediately on an inspection of your home, determining if a rodent population is already there or if one could easily become a problem. We’ll not only help you with our proven prevention and elimination , we’ll follow up to make sure the issue stays resolved. For rodent control that you can rely on, turn to Patriot Pest Management today. 

23 Oct, 2024
Many pests can cause havoc in your home, even during winter. Read our blog to learn about the importance of hiring pest control during the winter.
24 Sep, 2024
If you're a restaurant owner, read our blog to learn why rodent control is necessary and how to implement comprehensive prevention strategies.
28 Aug, 2024
If you have a bat infestation on your property, read our blog to learn the dangers of an infestation like this and how to address it.
A wasp nest is sitting on top of a wooden fence.
19 Jul, 2024
Are you worried your property has a hornet infestation? Read our blog to learn the signs of a hornet infestation and what to do if you spot them.
04 Jul, 2024
Got pests in your home? Learn effective tips to prevent bugs from invading your home this summer, including DIY methods and professional pest control.
A man in a protective suit is spraying pests with a sprayer.
23 May, 2024
Read this blog to learn how professional pest control services protect your business from pests, ensuring a safe, healthy environment for your customers.
A brown and white dog is scratching its head in the grass.
08 May, 2024
Pests can pose threats to your pet's well-being. Understand the risks that common pests can bring to your beloved animal companion.
A man in a protective suit is spraying a bed with a sprayer.
08 May, 2024
There's nothing more comforting than knowing your home is free from pests. Read our blog to learn more about vital pest control services.
A mouse is standing on a wooden floor next to a wall.
08 May, 2024
Rodent infestations pose significant risks to homeowners, from property damage to health hazards. Read our blog to learn what you need to know.
A black bug is crossed out in a red circle
20 Apr, 2024
Read this article to learn about the problems bed bugs can cause your hotel and why you should call a pest control company to get rid of them.
More Posts
Share by: