If you’re working out in your yard or sitting and relaxing inside our home, noticing a rodent scurrying by can ruin your good day and freak you out. Many people are frightened of these small mammals, but even those who aren't scared of them should be aware of the risks they pose. Rodents, namely mice and rats, are extremely common pests in Torrington, Connecticut, and they cause more issues than you may realize.
First of all, mice and rats carry diseases including salmonellosis and rat-scratch fever, but they also carry parasites like fleas that can transmit other diseases including the Bubonic plague. These rodents also trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues.
Along with health concerns, both mice and rat behavior involves constantly chewing on a variety of materials in order to grind down their teeth. This means they can destroy anything from clothing to plastic to electrical wires.
Because of the many issues that come along with rodents, knowing how to prevent them is key to protecting yourself, your family, and your home. This where professional pest control in Torrington is important.
A Brief Guide To Mice And Rats
It can be easy to confuse these two species of rodents as they look quite similar especially at first glance. Mice, while smaller, can be confused for baby rats, but there are some select differences you can use to tell them apart. Mice are a brownish-grey color with triangular faces, long tails, and large ears. Rats, however, are much larger when full grown and can range in color from grey-brown to black. They have short, scaly tails, smaller ears, and blunter faces.
Four Factors That Attract Rodents
To keep rodents out, you first need to understand the things that attract them to your home in the first place. Both mice and rats are attracted to food, water, and shelter, so the overall best preventive measures involve removing or reducing these factors.
Here are four ways you can make you property less appealing to rodents:
- Make sure to focus on proper food storage which includes storing pet and people food in airtight containers.
- Keep trash cans covered with lids and regularly clean up any garbage around your yard.
- Rodents also thrive in cluttered areas where they have more places to hide, so take the time to remove excess clutter both inside and outside.
- Clean kitchens regularly focus on cleaning up food and drink spills, sweeping and mopping, and doing dirty dishes.
Four Ways To Keep Rodents Out
Along with removing the elements that attract rodents, you can also deter them by getting rid of potential entry points around the building. Keep in mind that rats can chew through many things, so it’s important to seal up any holes or crevices using rodent-proof materials.
Here are four specific ways to remove access points:
- Look for any holes or crevices bigger than a dime and fill these up with a mixture of caulk, steel wool, and wire mesh.
- Place screens on vents and chimney openings.
- Replace weather-stripping and loose mortar especially around basements and the home’s foundation.
- Fix or replace damaged screens in doors and windows.
Get The Best In Rodent Prevention
Making an effort to prevent rodents goes a long way in reducing the likelihood of an infestation, but these pests can still be difficult to completely deter. If you are looking for effective, ongoing professional assistance with rodent prevention, or need a current infestation removed, contact the experts at Rescue 1 Pest & Termite Control. Our residential pest control services will protect your home and family from the risks of mice and rats while giving you peace of mind that these methods are safe and effective. Give us a call today to get started or to learn more.