Rodents are usually black, gray, or brown in color. Their fur can be either glossy and sleek or dull and bristly. Most have small black eyes, rounded ears, and some sort of tail. Many also possess sharp claws on their feet that help them climb trees or dig tunnels. Gifted climbers, like mice and rats, have long tails, while burrowing rodents, such as voles and gophers, have short tails.

Types of Nusiance Wildlife Rodents

• Mice
• Rats 
• Squirrels
• Voles
• Gophers
• Chipmunks
• Beaver
• Muskrat
   

As they are some of the most diverse mammals on the planet, rodents can be found in a wide variety of habitats. Open grasslands, forests, deserts, tropical jungles, and even arctic environments host rodents. While some rodent species live high off the ground in trees and attics, others live in complex underground burrows. Some species even build their nests in secluded places beneath bushes or within the walls of houses. Many rodents are social and live in large colonies.

Since houses and yards provide plentiful food and shelter, rodents often set up nests on private properties. The smallest species are able to get inside through holes as narrow as half an inch in diameter. Rodents also employ their inherent climbing, running, jumping, digging, and swimming abilities to infiltrate manmade buildings. Warehouses, farm fields, and food processing factories are also prime targets for rodent infestations.

Too keep their large teeth at reasonable lengths, rodents must constantly gnaw. This behavior can lead to the structural damage of homes, as well as increase the risk of electrical shorts and fires. Mice and rats, tear up insulation for their nests, and burrowing rodents damage lawns, fields, and irrigation systems.

Not only do rodents constantly need to chew, but they also breed often. Squirrels breed twice per year with the potential to have almost 20 offspring each year while mice/rats can breed up to 10 times per year and have potential to have well over 100 offspring per year.

Rodents also carry a plethora of diseases, including leptospirosis, Hantavirus, plague, rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, and tularemia. Finally, they contaminate food and gnaw entrance holes in the exterior of buildings, which allows other pests to gain access to homes, as well.

The best way to reduce the possibility of letting unwanted rodents into homes is to seal possible entrances. Additionally, regular cleaning and sanitation helps eliminate potential food sources that entice rodents indoors. However, if the pests have already infested homes, individuals should never attempt to handle or remove them without professional assistance. Untrained individuals may be injured or contract diseases if they come into contact with rodents.

Modifying a house to keep rodents out can limit infestation problems. Exclusion methods include caulking cracks in foundations, capping chimneys, and installing mesh covers over vents and crawl space entrances. Even small gaps between roof joints or around utility pipes may let these animals inside, so thorough, expert rodent exclusion is key.

The type of rodents species found in your home will determine what type of trap should be used.

• With squirrel removal, the most common removal methods are live trapping, one-way doors, deterrent, and direct capture.
• When removing mice and rats, the most effective methods are using snap traps or live traps.

Are you finding droppings in the basement of your home? If so, then you may have a rodent control problem!

Rats, mice, and other rodents can become a nuisance when they come in close proximity to humans. In addition to spreading disease to both humans and household pets, rodents can also cause property damage and contaminate food sources. Critter Control specializes in rodent control and removal to help you get rid of rodents in your home or business. A variety of lethal and non-lethal techniques, including exclusion, habitat modification, deterrents, and trapping are available that may effectively control these pests.

At Critter Control we specialize in several rodent control services, including rat removal and mouse control, rodent damage control, rodent management, rodent prevention, residential and commercial rodent control. Our company consists of certified wildlife specialists and animal control operators that are trained with the most advanced rodent control techniques, ranging from rodent control through trapping to rodent damage repair, rodent prevention, and exclusion services.

Whether you have a rodent control problem for one pesky rodent or for an infestation, we have the expert rodent control services to help eliminate your rodent problems! Critter Control can install rodent traps and repair any points of entry to ensure that your rodent control problems won't continue at your home or office.

Please contact Critter Control at 1-800-CRITTER if you have a rodent problem so we can provide you with professional rodent control services.