Rodent Identification & Prevention

Rodents are mammals that, no matter the species, share one physical characteristic; their continuously growing front incisors. A rodent’s front incisors grow throughout their lives, and to stop them from overgrowing, they constantly gnaw on anything they can get their teeth around.

Rodents make up the largest group of mammals and can live almost everywhere. Examples of rodents that are most likely to become a problem for you in Elk Grove, California, are rats, mice, and voles.

The rat is the largest of the three species. Rats have blunt heads, hairless ears, and long, scaly, hairless tails. Mice are small rodents that have oval bodies and small triangular heads. Their ears and long tails have a light layer of velvety fur covering them. The vole looks similar to the mouse; the easiest way to tell the two apart is by their tail. Voles have short tails covered in fur. Reach out to us today for help with pest control in Elk Grove, CA.

Rodents are dangerous; they pose health risks and damage our property. These animals carry many diseases that they spread through their saliva, excrement, or through direct contact. When rodents enter our homes, they contaminate food and surfaces with many bacteria and pathogens that can make us ill. Additionally, the build-up of their excrement and shed fur emits many particles into the air that can trigger allergies.

Rodents are capable of causing a lot of damage to the structure of our homes and the things we have stored inside using their sharp front incisors. Rodents commonly damage pipes, wires, cables, drywall, and flooring. They will also chew through clothing, upholstered furniture, rugs, books, and other personal items.

Voles are the most destructive rodents in our yards. They feed on grass and garden and landscape plants. Voles also create unsightly trails in the grass as they move back and forth daily from their nest to food sources. They will also damage your lawn and dig up the grass to create shallow nesting sites and food storage burrows.

You have a problem with rodents because these animals live outside all around us. As we have encroached on their outdoor habitats, they have adapted and learned to live near and with people. They often find their way to our properties because our yards and homes supply their necessities. Rodents find easy access to food, water, and safe shelter in our yards, garages, sheds, and houses. Rodents are prolific breeders, so once they find their way to your property and become comfortable, it doesn’t take long for them to establish large, difficult-to-control populations.

Rodents are prey animals, so they like to live in areas that protect them from the elements and predators. When mice or rats have found their way to our Elk Grove yards, they nest in areas of tall grass, dense vegetation, and under woodpiles, rocks, or yard debris. Mice and rats will also nest inside unused grills, lawnmowers, and cars.

When mice or rats get into our homes seeking shelter or food, they do their best to stay out of sight, hanging out behind walls, appliances, cabinets, or crawl spaces.

Voles are outdoor pests. They like to live in open grassy areas, making our yards places they can successfully call home.

California rodents are crafty, and getting them to leave can be difficult when they become comfortable on our properties. The easiest and fastest way to solve your rodent problem is to contact an experienced pest control professional.

At Bell Pest Control, our top priority is to remove unwanted pests and help people regain control of their homes. We offer effective rodent control and exclusion services that work to remove rodents from your property and help ensure they won’t return. To learn more about our cost-effective rodent control solutions, please reach out.

You can take several steps to help stop rodents from becoming a problem on your property. Below are our top rodent prevention tips:

• Fill in ground holes and reseed bare spots in your lawn.
• Regularly mow your grass and remove yard debris.
• Keep lids on trash cans and recycling bins that produce food odors that will attract foraging rodents.
• Help keep rodents out of your house by repairing cracks in the foundation, installing weatherstripping and door sweeps, and placing caps on chimneys.
• Regularly vacuum your home and maintain a clean kitchen to reduce food debris that rodents can use as a food source.
• Always inspect boxes and other items for rodents before you bring them indoors.

Call Bell Pest Control today to learn more about the best rodent exclusion in Elk Grove.