Rodent Identification & Prevention

There are many reasons why we consider rodents dangerous and never want to share our spaces with them. Dangers associated with rodents include the following:

• Rodents spread around 35 different diseases to humans worldwide. They transmit these diseases through direct contact with either the rodent or their feces, urine, or saliva.
• Rodents carry and spread parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites.
• When rodents are in our homes, they will chew through food containers and contaminate stored foods. 
• Rodent infestation can be the root cause of short circuits, fires, and water damage.
• Rodents gnaw through floors, furniture, walls, clothing, and other things stored within your home. 

While there are many examples of rodents that people choose to keep as pets, wild rodents are a different story. Sharing your home with wild rodents is never ideal, and you should reach out to a local pest control professional at the first notice of them on your property. 

Rodents live in large populations throughout Florida. Some live outside, deep in wooded areas, marshes, fields, and other uninhabited areas. Others have learned that where people live, they will have easy access to their basic needs. 

Many rodents have come to live quite successfully with people. Rodents in Bradenton live successfully in suburban and urban areas. 

Anywhere there are trash cans, outdoor eating areas, garden areas, fruit trees, and bird feeders or pet feeding areas, there is likely to be rodent activity. Rodents are omnivores and eat most of the same foods we do, making our yards and homes places that attract the attention of these animals.

Where rodents prefer to live in our yards and homes depends on the specific species. Most rodents in Florida like to live outside but will move indoors to escape harsh weather conditions, lack of food, or to have a safe space to nest. 

Roof rats like to nest up off the ground. Places they nest in our yards include fruit trees, woodpiles, dense shrubbery, and construction debris. They usually inhabit roof eaves, ceiling rafters, chimneys, and attic spaces if they decide to move indoors to nest.

Norway rats nest and forage for food in fields, farmlands, riverbanks, docks, and under concrete slabs and woodpiles. When Norway rats decide to move into our homes to nest, they usually find entry and exit points at the ground level. Common entry points include gaps in foundations, vents, and cracks under doors or around windows. Inside our homes, Norway rats nest in crawl spaces, clutter, and behind wall voids.

House mice nest outside anywhere that offers protection from predators. Common outdoor nesting sites and resting spots for house mice include tall grass, tree stumps, woodpiles, yard debris, playhouses, sheds, and garages. Mice are agile climbers who move inside our homes through any opening. Once inside, they will live in any space that provides them with quiet shelter.

Field mice like to live in open grassy areas. Homes near parks, fields, and other open spaces tend to have the most problems with these rodents. Though they prefer to live outside; however, sometimes they will move into our homes and, like house mice, will take advantage of any dark, quiet nesting spot they come across.

Rodents want to live near people and take advantage of the food, water, and shelter our properties offer them. Keeping these pests away from your home is a year-round commitment. 

The easiest way to maintain a rodent-free property is to partner with a local company that offers quality pest control. Here at Westfall’s Lawn and Pest, we customize our pest control services to meet the unique needs of each family and home we serve.

Our quarterly pest control services will provide you with the regular, guaranteed services necessary to solve your rodent problem and prevent a future infestation. If you are concerned about rodents living in or around your home, call today to schedule a free inspection and to learn more about rodent control in Bradenton!

We have put together a helpful list of rodent prevention tips. Use the following information to make your property less attractive to these problematic pests.

• Remove construction and yard debris like fallen trees, leaf piles, and the like from your yard.
• Cut back shrubbery and bushes from your home’s exterior that offers hiding spots for rodents.
• Remove their easy access to food by keeping lids on trash cans, harvesting gardens, and fruit trees, and maintaining indoor and outdoor eating areas. Store your family’s food in the fridge or airtight containers out of the reach of rodents. 
• Eliminate water sources by repairing leaky fixtures and air conditioners. 
• Remove clutter from your home where rodents nest.
• Inspect your home for possible entry points and make any necessary repairs. 

For more rodent prevention tips or to learn how to partner to maintain a home free of rodents and other common household pests, please reach out to Westfall’s Lawn and Pest today.