The Secret To Effective Rodent Control For Jacksonville Property Owners

Have you ever heard the old adage, “a carpenter's home always creaks, and a plumber’s home always leaks”? This is to say; a craftsman doesn’t like to do their job when they are home. What does this have to do with rodents and pest control? Well, even pest control professionals make sure rodents stay out of their homes. Why? Because rodents are dangerous, destructive, and all-around horrible house guests. If you are worried about these furry invaders causing trouble around your Jacksonville home, here is our secret to effective rodent control.

Common Rodent Invaders 

There are over 1,500 species of rodents around the world. Many live here in Jacksonville, however, only a few are known for invading and causing trouble inside homes. The roof rat, the Norway rat, and the house mouse are the three most common. Here is how to identify each:

Roof Rats

Color: Brown with black hairs intermixed; black, white, or grey underside

Size: 6-8” body, 6-8” tail

Distinguishing Features: Long thin body, large ears/eyes, scaly almost hairless tail

Norway Rats

Color: Brown with black hairs intermixed; white to grey underside

Size: 7-8” body, 6-8” tail

Distinguishing Features: Long heavy body, medium-sized ears/eyes, blunt muzzle, long almost hairless tail

House Mice

Color: Dusty grey with a cream underside

Size: 2.4 to 4.3” body, and equally sized tail

Distinguishing Features: Round small body, large ears/eyes, pointed muzzle, hong tail covered in fine hairs

One thing you should know about rats and mice is that they are extremely territorial. A home can be infested by one or the other, rarely both at the same time.

Problems Rodents Cause

Rodents are filthy, annoying, and destructive creatures. Inside homes, these pests chew holes through walls, sever electrical wires, gnaw on utility piping, and cause other severe damage with their teeth. With their fecal matter and urine, rodents threaten homeowners with dangerous bacteria, pathogens, and parasitic worms. If all of this wasn’t enough, rodents are nocturnal, meaning when you are trying to sleep, they will be moving around making noise. This alone is enough to drive any sane individual crazy.

How Rodents Get Into Homes

Many pests wander into homes; rodents intentionally search for ways to invade. If any indication suggests that your home has food, water, or shelter, there is not much that will stop a rodent from getting inside. Most often, rats and mice will use gaps, cracks, and holes in a home’s exterior to squeeze inside. If the opening is not large enough they will use their sharp teeth to widen it. Plastic, wood, and aluminum are just a few materials rodents can chew through.

Prevention Tips

To keep rodents out of your Jacksonville home, you have to do three things: reduce attractants, eliminate harborage, and seal off points of entry. Here are a few practical ways to do this:

• Keep your yard free of clutter and debris
• Store woodpiles and lumber at least 30 feet from your home’s exterior
• Use a caulking gun to fill in gaps, cracks, and holes in your home’s exterior foundation
• Store leftover food inside airtight containers
• Make sure your trash cans are equipped with tight-fitting lids
• Repackage pet food and dried foods into larger heavy plastic, metal, or glass containers
• Invest in quality rodent control
• The Best Way To Handle Rodents

Whether rodents have invaded your Jacksonville home, or you are looking for a way to keep these pests out for good, we have options for you at Lindsey Pest Services. Using only the most advanced pest control methods, and industry-leading equipment/treatments, our team will ensure your home gets the care it deserves. Call us today to find out more about our rodent control or to schedule a quality inspection for your home with Lindsey Pest Services.