If you suspect you might have rodents in your house, don't hesitate to take action to get rid of them for good. Rodents can carry a variety of diseases and cause a massive amount of property damage. That's why you need a professional Austin pest control company to help you eradicate the rodents in your house once and for all.
Common Types Of Home-Invading Rodents In Austin
There are many Texas rodents that could invade your Austin home. However, the most common are deer mice, house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats. Mice can enter your home through cracks the width of a pencil and holes the size of a dime. Rats only need a little more space – they can get through holes the size of a nickel. Both types of rodents have collapsible rib cages, so if they can get their head through a space, their body will fit as well.
The Dangerous Diseases Rodents Are Known To Spread
It's important to get rid of rodents in your Austin home as quickly as possible because rodents are known to carry many dangerous diseases, including:
- Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Hantavirus
- Leptospirosis
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM)
- Plague
- Rat-bite fever
- Ringworm
- Salmonellosis
- Tularemia
Some of these diseases may be fatal, especially in small children or the elderly. Avoid coming into contact with the rodents in your house if at all possible. When cleaning up their droppings and urine from your counters or floors, wear disposable gloves and use paper towels to avoid contaminating your sponges and washrags. Wash your hands thoroughly after throwing away your gloves.
Rodents can also cause serious property damage with their constant gnawing. They have to chew on things to keep their teeth sharp and prevent them from overgrowing. Mice have front teeth that can grow four inches in a year, and rats' front teeth can grow nine inches in that same time period. The gnaw marks on your furniture, walls, floors, cupboards, doors, and door jambs can be minor annoyances when compared to the real danger when rodents start chomping on your pipes and electrical wires. They can cause water and gas leaks and electrical fire hazards.
Why Traps Won't Get Rid Of The Entire Rodent Infestation
You may be tempted to try trapping the different rodents that are living in your home. However, trapping is ineffective for two major reasons. The first is that rodents are smart. They'll learn to associate any traps you might put out with death and avoid them. They may even figure out how to take the bait without triggering the trap.
The second reason is that rodents reproduce faster than your traps can catch them. Female rats can produce up to 40 young in one year. Female mice can have 35 babies every year. Even if you're catching a rodent a day, there's no possible way for you to keep up with the growth of their colonies.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Rodents And Keep Them Out
The best way to get rid of rodents and keep them out for good is to call in professional rodent control in Austin. They can help you identify where the rodents are hiding in your home, tell you the best way to get them out, and provide information about rodent exclusion, or outdoor rodent control.
At Roberts Termite & Pest Control, we have 36 years of experience that you need to deal with your rodent infestation. Our technicians are highly trained to provide service you can rely on. They'll help with rodent exclusion in addition to getting rid of the rodent colonies in your home. Call today to schedule your free estimate and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Austin.