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Professional Mouse And Rat Pest Control Austin TX
Rodents are some of the unruliest pest species. This especially applies to the rat and mouse, which are commensal. A term utilized in reference to household pests, the commensal rodent invades residential, commercial, and industrial properties. These rodents can also be found in public facilities, such as subways, sewage, landfills, and train stations. There is no place off-limit for the commensal rodent. In fact, rat and mouse sightings have been reported in hotels, hospitals, homeless shelters, skilled nursing facilities, supermarkets, bakeries, and food manufacturing facilities.
What Mouse Species Inhabit Properties In Austin?
More house mouse and deer mouse sightings are reported in Austin than any other species of mouse. Both the deer mouse and house mouse share many of the same physical characteristics. Differentiating between the two mouse species is extremely difficult without prior experience.
House Mouse Species – A small rodent with round-tipped ears, black eyes, and brownish/gray to brownish/black fur. The nose is pointy and pink like the feet, with tiny sharp claws. The commensal rodent infiltrates commercial and residential establishments through public utility passages, damaged siding, missing crawlspace vents, and improperly installed doors and windows.
Deer Mouse Species – The larger of the two species, the deer mouse “eastern deer mouse” is a member of the “Cricetidae” family and “Rodentia” order. The rodent has brownish/black or grayish/black fur, growing up to 3 inches in length. The belly is off-white or buff in color. The tail measures about the same length as the body and head combined.
Mouse Fecal Droppings
The fecal droppings of nearly all mouse species are similar in size, color, shape, and odor. Most mouse fecal droppings are black, measuring between 2 and 6 millimeters. The scent is not really noticable when only a few droppings are present. A pile of mouse fecal droppings is another story. It is not unusual for mice to drop their feces in feeding areas, along frequently traveled pathways, and other areas.
The mouse’s fecal dropping has pointy tips. In infested properties, mouse droppings can be found underneath appliances, near the trash bin, on countertops, in kitchen cabinets, and near access points into the home.
What Are The Most Common Signs Of A Rodent Infestation?
The most reported sign of an infestation is live rodents. However, this is a rare sighting that generally takes place after dark because rodents are nocturnal rodents. Nocturnal mice and rats spend the night foraging for food, feeding, building nests, and gnawing holes to infiltrate homes.
Other signs of a rodent infestation are gnawing marks on different surfaces and items. Rodents are unique creatures, as they have incisors (front teeth) that continuously grow. To prevent the incisors from growing out of control, rodents are drawn to continuously gnaw. This is where the damage caused by rodents comes into play. Gnaw marks can be found on just about every item in infested homes. They can also be found on the exterior of the home around crawlspace doors, the bottom of siding, and other window frames.
Why Are Mice Infiltrating My Austin Property?
Mice and rats are drawn to properties with the essentials of survival. Whether the home can be infiltrated or not has no bearing on the rodent’s decision to target a specific property. These rodent species have sharp incisors that can gnaw through wood, plastic, fabric, drywall, insulation, carpet, and other materials. If the rodents want to infiltrate your property, they will if it is at all possible.
If your home is already infiltrated, there should be one or more visible access points. Once the rodent has created an access point into your home, other pest species will utilize the same opening(s). At this point, your home becomes extremely vulnerable to insects and rodents.
Do Mice And Rats Transmit Diseases To Humans?
Rats and mice spread disease to humans through contaminated fecal droppings and urine. Rodents drop their waste in the victim’s food supply. Every household member who ingested the contaminated food will be at risk of a foodborne illness.
Rodents have scientifically been linked to various illnesses:
- Plague
- Salmonellosis
- Shigella
- coli
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
- Lassa fever
- Rat-bite fever
- Leptospirosis
- Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
- Lymphocytic Chorio-Meningitis “LCM”
- Omsk hemorrhagic fever
- South American arenavirus
- Tularemia
Rodents have also been known to be infested with fleas and tick, which can spread to cats, dogs, and ferrets.
Are Mice A Fire Hazard?
Yes, mice and rats have been linked to house fires. The rodents utilize their incisors to gnaw through the protectant layer covering electrical wiring. The damage leaves the electrical wire exposed to the elements, insultation, and other materials. The naked wire makes contact with flammable materials, it could ignite a fire.
Rodents And Structural Damage
Rodents have been linked to thousands of dollars in structural damage. Property owners across Texas have reported structural damage related to the gnawing of rats and mice. It cannot be stressed enough rodents can gnaw through a broad range of structural components. The damage caused by rodents will leave your home vulnerable to other pest invaders, including insects.
What Is The Most Effective Mouse Management Strategy?
Texas consumers have several pest control strategies at their disposal. Professional and do-it-yourself pest control strategies have both pros and cons. For example, do-it-yourself pest control is limited to mild rodent problems, not an infestation.
Our professional rodent management combines visual inspections with high potency rodenticides and traps. We believe such combinational treatments offer maximum effectiveness, resulting in a full eradication.
How Long Will It Take For The Exterminator To Arrive For The Rodent Inspection?
We need 24 to 48 hours to process your pest control service request. A qualified customer support representative will process your request. When the processing is complete, the representative will reach out to your regarding an appointment for the inspection. We highly suggest a date and time that will not interfere with your schedule.
How To Prevent Future Rodent Infestation In Austin?
Once a property has been infested with rodents, it becomes vulnerable to future insect and rodent invasions. It will not be easy to put a stop to these pests from infiltrating your home, but it is possible. With the help of our trained pest control technicians and every member of the household, we can build a barrier around your property to keep rodents out.
You can help protect your property from repeat rodent infestation by:
- Sealing all open access points with metal screens or sheeting
- Removing all household waste from the inside to an outdoor trash bin
- Transitioning from store-bought packaging to glass and stainless-steel food storage containers with resealable lid
- Spending more time inspecting high-risk areas in and around your home
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
Our Service Area
Canyon Lake, Schwertner, Fischer, Granger, Red Rock, San Marcos, Liberty Hill, Walburg, Bastrop, Lockhart, Wimberley, Taylor, Weir, Maxwell, Dale, Georgetown, Coupland, Elgin, Hutto, Spicewood, Driftwood, Kyle, Dripping Springs, Cedar Creek, Leander, Round Rock, Buda, Cedar Park, Mc Neil, Pflugerville, Manor, Manchaca, Del Valle.
Zip Codes We Service
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