The Trick To Effective Rodent Control In Washington D.C.

10/20/2021

Rodents   

Rodents are a typical home and business invading pest. In the Washington D.C. area, home and business owners might have to deal with these rodents:

Mice (house mice):

• Small species between 5 1/7 to 7 inches in length, including their scaly tail
• Grayish-brown to blackish fur with a lighter colored underbelly
• Large round ears
• Pointed nose

Rats (roof rat and Norway rat):

• Roof rats are much larger than mice, between 12 to 16 inches in length, including their tail

• Are dark brown or black with some gray and a lighter colored underbelly

• Pointed nose, large ears, and large eyes

• Roof rats get their name for being excellent climbers

• Norway rats are long and heavy, between 14 to 17 1/2 inches long, including their bi-colored tail

• Have shabby brown and black speckled fur with a lighter color underbelly 

• Rounded blunt nose, small black eyes, and small ears

Squirrels may also be an occasional invade in the D.C. area. No matter what kind of rodent you are dealing with, they can cause many problems. All rodents have teeth that never stop growing. To keep their teeth from overgrowing, rodents must constantly chew. If they are on a residential or commercial property, or worse, inside, they can damage the structure and personal belongings. Rodents are also known to spread a host of diseases and parasites, including, but not limited to, salmonellosis, dysentery, leptospirosis, fleas, and ticks.

Why Do Rodents Invade?

Rodents have a long history of human dependency, which is why homes and businesses are often subject to infestations. Rodents have become reliant on people for food, water, and shelter. Many species will consume almost anything from people and pet food to garbage and compost. Because of this, it can be challenging to know what exactly is attracting them.

A rodent infestation is more likely to happen because they only need a small space to squeeze through. Mice only need a dime-sized hole to get through, while rats only need a penny-sized hole.

Why Is It So Difficult To Get Rid Of Rodents?

Getting rid of any rodent infestation on your own is nearly impossible. This is because rodents are excellent at hiding, and without finding the entire infestation, you won’t be able to trap them effectively. It can also be hazardous to handle rodents if you are not appropriately trained.

The safest and most effective way to get rid of rodents is to contact professionals. If you live in Washington D.C., you should call American Pest.

What Can I Do To Prevent Rodents?

In addition to recurring professional guidance, which is your best line of defense against rodents, you should also implement the following tips to help keep rodents away:

• Remove food sources by storing people and pet food properly, taking the garbage out regularly, and using tight-fitting lids on garbage bins. You should also remove bird feeders from your property and clean up any crumbs and spills in your kitchen.

• Remove entry points by inspecting the exterior of your home and sealing any cracks, crevices, and gaps. Make sure to check around windows and doors, using screens and door sweeps. Using a chimney cap, vent covers, and repairing holes on the roofline is also essential as roof rats can easily get in up there.

• Remove harborage areas by storing woodpiles away from your home and decluttering both the inside and outside of your home.

Call our experts at American Pest, and we will inspect your property for entry points, active nests, and conducive factors, all of which will lead to the successful exclusion of rodents and help keep them from coming back again. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you!