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Rodent Control In Tucson Can Be Hard To Handle

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There are few pest problems quite like a rodent infestation. Some rodents in Tucson are worse than others. Join us today as we look at rodent control, what it is, why it is necessary, how to get rid of rodents, and how to keep rodents from coming back. You'll find everything you need to know about the kinds of rodents we have in Tucson. If you'd like answers to rodent questions and want to speak directly with a professional about your rodent concerns, we're happy to help with that as well. Give us a call for advice and guidance, or request rodent pest control in Tucson, AZ.

What Is Rodent Control?

Rodents are wild animals. As such, some Tucson residents get wildlife management and rodent control mixed up. Rodent control is the systematic removal of rats and mice. Wildlife management is the safe and humane trapping of wild animals that accidentally find their way indoors. Why are rats and mice put into their own category? Because they don't just get into attics. These two rodents explore every level of a home and do things other animals aren't capable of doing. What things do they do?

Mice are tiny rodents and can slip through tiny gaps the width of a dime. They scale rough surfaces, run along thin ledges, leap several feet, and fall from great heights without harming themselves. If one of these little rodents happens upon a hole too small to fit through, they are equipped with teeth that can chew through wood. It is hard to keep mice out of places you don't want them.

Rats are big rodents, but as large as they are, full-grown rats can slip through gaps the width of a quarter. They scale trees, run across power lines, leap through the air, fall from great heights, and chew holes through wood, just like mice. They also gnaw on concrete around pipes and slip through gaps that would surprise you, or enter homes by coming up through sewer pipes.

These pests are prolific, and it is necessary to eliminate them. They are efficient breeders, and there is no shortage of rats and mice in nature. Complete control is the best option to prevent rodents from causing unnecessary harm as they quickly grow their numbers. Let's look at some of the ways these two kinds of pests cause harm. 

How Rodents Create Damage And Spread Disease

One little rodent isn't bad, is it? It may surprise you how bad they are. Even a little mouse can present a serious threat to your health and property. Here are a few facts to consider. 

  • Rodents chew holes. The holes they create in your exterior can let scorpions and other stinging pests into your home. So, while rodents are not going to sting or bite you, other pests may.
  • It is not good to have wild rodents in your home as they leave their waste material as they explore. These materials can contaminate stored items, stored foods, and surfaces. 
  • When rodents leave urine in wall voids, a bad smell can develop over time, and you can't get in there to clean.
  • When rodents leave droppings in attics, air ducts, and other secluded spaces, the material can dry and become a source of airborne contamination.
  • Rats and mice carry ticks, fleas, and other parasites. Ticks are the worst. In the last two decades, Lyme disease cases have risen dramatically, and experts believe that Lyme disease cases are significantly underdiagnosed. Along with Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, red meat allergy, and other concerning diseases are growing in case numbers. 
  • Rodents chew on stored boxes, furniture, and other items in attics and storage rooms. They also soil stored items with feces and urine.
  • Rodents that live in your attic are likely to also soil your insulation and other building materials.
  • Common diseases spread by rats and mice are hantavirus, leptospirosis, LCMV, tularemia, and salmonellosis.

The worst outcome of a rodent infestation is a house fire. It only takes one tiny rodent to chew on a wire in your wall and create a spark. Experts say 20 to 25 percent of structural fires that are ignited by sources that are untraceable are likely linked to rodent infestations.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of All Rodents In Your Home For Good

In light of the many ways rats and mice can cause harm, we recommend professional rodent control to get rid of rodents. Rodent control is a scientific process, and a trained technician has specialized knowledge and the right tools for the job. If you're in Tucson, contact Green Home Pest Control for assistance.

We start with a professional inspection. During your inspection, your technician will look for rodents hiding in your home. We check all the places rats and mice like to hide. Your technician will consider evidence of activity, such as droppings, grease marks, noises, and more. Conducive conditions and entry points are cataloged, and we share our findings with you.

We listen to your concerns and guide you in selecting treatment options. On the inside of your home, your technicians will deploy traps and other control products to arrest the infestation. If necessary, tamper-resistant bait traps are deployed outside to cull populations and monitor activity. We use botanically and organically derived products that are safe and effective.

Our technicians are IPM-trained professionals. Since they apply Integrated Pest Management, you can expect that they'll use eco-friendly solutions first, such as exclusion work. Your technician will apply professional-grade materials to seal ground-level entry points that rats or mice are using to enter your home.

When we're done applying rodent control in and around your home, you can rest easy. We track the success of our control programs to ensure successful results. If you like the idea of results-based rodent control, contact us for assistance.     

Four Easy Rodent Exclusion Tips To Prevent Future Infestations

Once the mice and rats are gone, you're going to want to keep them gone. We get it. That is why we support you by providing steps you can take to deter rodents and keep rodents from gaining access to your home in the future. Here are four tips we suggest.

  1. Rats and mice get into downspouts and climb up through gutters. You can keep them from doing this if you put a mesh inside your downspouts. The mesh allows water to run out and stops rodents from going up to your roof. They may also use the outside of gutters or scale pipes that run up your exterior walls. You can prevent them from doing this by installing guards. These guards look like upside-down cones. When rats and mice get to them, they can't get around them.
  2. Rats and mice can climb trees, run down branches, and leap several feet to get onto your roof. Trim tree branches well away from your roofline to prevent them from doing this. If you can't trim the branches, you may consider putting sheet metal around the trunks of these trees. Rodents can't get their claws into the metal, and the surface is too slippery to climb. A foot-and-a-half band is all that is needed to stop all rodents from climbing your trees.
  3. Rats and mice can scale rough surfaces and climb right up the exterior of some homes. It is essential to protect gable vents and other potential entry points. Even a tiny mouse can scale your exterior wall and chew through wood to get into your attic through a gable vent. Remove your gable louvers and apply hardware cloth to create a barrier rodents can't chew through. 
  4. Inspect your exterior and look for any damage to your exterior or foundation wall. Consider hiring a contractor to fix these damaged areas. For example, a rotted sole plate may need replacing. If you can't afford to make a complete fix, get some expanding foam and seal any gaps or holes. Make sure to check your weatherstripping, door sweeps, screens, and frames. These are all common entry points for rodents. Home repairs are an effective and long-lasting way to deter rodents from getting into your home. They'll also help you keep that precious cool air inside your home during hot Tucson days. It is a win-win. 

Along with exclusions, reduce food sources in your yard. Rodents eat seeds, so bird seed and grass seed will provide food for them. They eat rotting organic matter, so keep your trash receptacles covered and clean. Rats and mice eat nuts, just like squirrels. Refrain from feeding peanuts to the squirrels and rake nuts up underneath trees that produce them. While simple to understand, these rodent control tips take effort. If you need assistance with baiting and trapping, contact us for assistance. We can give you the support you need if vulnerabilities exist. Give us a call, connect with us by text, or connect with us through our contact page. We're here to help!