3 Rodents to Lookout for this Summer
Summer is approaching, and as the weather warms, rodents are looking for a cool place to habitat and search for a food source. Once infested, rodents can cause considerable damage to your home and pose a serious health risk to your family. There are several rodent species to lookout for, all attracted to varied factors. To avoid them, every homeowner should be aware of the several types of rodents and how to prevent them.
Roof Rats
Around 8 inches long with a slender body, roof rats have smooth fur with gray coloring and shading throughout. These creatures prefer to nest in higher areas such as the top of buildings, trees, and homes.
While they prefer to eat fruit, they will still eat any available food source they can find. If you have fruit trees on your property, look to clean up any fallen fruit immediately as it will attract these rats to your yard. Repair any damage to your roof, such as gaps under eaves or broken tiles, as roof rats are notorious for sneaking into gaps as small as a quarter!
House Mouse
Only weighing 1 ounce or less, house mice can prefer dark, secluded areas of your home! These creatures will hide in household clutter, often found in basements or attics. Mice are also skilled climbers and can jump up to a foot in height, allowing them to reach isolated areas.
These creatures can be a threat to both your property and health. They are known to gnaw on wires, sparking electrical fires! Additionally, they will contaminate stored food and spread diseases such as salmonella. Look to close open gaps or holes, keep storage areas clean, and clean up any leftover spills or crumbs.
Norway Rats 
The largest rat species, Norway rats have thick fur, usually brown with black shading, and measure around 10 inches long! These creatures are nocturnal and like to search for their food source in piles of garbage. Invading homes when food is sparse, they can be found in undisturbed areas such as basements or crawlspaces.
These creatures cause serious interior and exterior damage and can gnaw through plastic and lead pipes. They can be a threat to your household pets as they will bring house fleas and mites into homes. Ensure that your outside trash is tightly sealed, seal gaps leading inside, and caulk around utility pipes.
If you suspect that you have a rodent infestation, contact your professional pest control company to ensure they don’t cause severe damage!
