Rodents

Rodents are nocturnal creatures and can take over a property in the blink of an eye. A type of mammal, rodents come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors; those that have learned to live near people can become problematic in any Phoenix home or business. These pests are active year-round and are a constant threat to our sanity.

No matter the species, one thing is for sure, rodents do not belong in our homes or feeding from our tables! Preventing rodents is a year-round job and one best tackled by a trained professional.

Rodents that have become most comfortable on properties located in Arizona include the following:

• House Mouse: House mice are small and oval-shaped, with brown, black, or gray fur.
• Deer Mice: Deer mice a bit larger than a house mouse with a hair-covered tail and brown fur.
• Roof Rat: Roof rats have a thin body with a pointed nose and black fur peppered with gray hairs.
• Pack Rat: Pack rats are the size and shape of your average rat, but with a bushy tail.

Rodents are small active creatures with a high metabolism, meaning that they eat a lot and create a lot of waste. As rodents travel, they leave behind a trail of urine and excrement, and when in our homes, this is a fact that can’t be ignored.

Contaminated surfaces and food are among the biggest reasons rodents are such a danger to have in our homes and businesses. Rodents spread diseases like rat-bite fever, salmonella, and hantavirus that make people ill. Additionally, their shed hair and excrement cause many people to develop allergy symptoms.

Another reason to exclude rodents from your home is that every species has front incisors that continuously grow throughout their lives. In order to prevent their teeth from overgrowing, causing pain and the inability to eat, rodents chew a lot. They chew through wires, pipes, cables, walls, and floors. The teeth of rodents also damage furniture, clothing, books, and boxes.

Rodents are shy creatures by nature and want to stay hidden from larger animals and people. Yards with lots of landscaping, shrubs, woodpiles, and the like attract rodents. Their high metabolism causes rodents to have voracious appetites. They are always on the lookout for sources of food. Rodents are omnivores and feed on various things, including seeds, insects, proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Our yards often keep rodents well fed; they forage for food in trash cans, compost piles, gardens, pet food dishes, and grill areas.

Rodents live outside but do frequently make their way into homes and businesses to live. The two things typically drive them indoors are food and extreme weather. If food sources are scarce outside, rodents move inside through any small opening they discover. Usually gaining access through open vents, gaps in the foundation, cracks in the foundation, and spaces around windows and doors.

Extreme weather conditions also send rodents into our temperature-controlled homes and businesses. If it is too hot and dry or too cold, rodents will move inside to nest in a safe, comfortable place.

Inside, rodents nest in dark, quiet areas. Some of their most common hideouts include:

• Attics
• Basements
• Wall voids
• Behind or under appliances
• Closets and cabinets

Get rid of rodents with the help of the eco-minded professionals at Green Home Pest Control. We know how frustrating rodents are to deal with and will provide the services needed to eliminate any current intruders and prevent future problems with them. We are a local business and can effectively meet the unique needs of home and business owners living in the Phoenix area.

Our highly trained employees are committed to our customers, community, employees, and the environment. With more than 30 combined years of experience, you can trust us to protect your Phoenix, AZ residential, or commercial properties from pests. For more information about our rodent control services, call us today.

Use the the following prevention tips to help avoid problems with rodents:

• Store food in the refrigerator or airtight containers.
• Pick up uneaten pet food each evening; rodents feed mainly at night.
• Store pet food in plastic or metal containers with locking lids.
• Cut off entry points into your home by inspecting its exterior and sealing any spaces found. Make sure to use strong material that can hold up against a rodent’s sharp teeth.
• Leave a space between shrubs and bushes and other landscaping and your home’s exterior to limit hiding spots.
• Remove yard clutter.
• Eliminate access to water by fixing leaky pipes and hoses.
• Get rid of outdoor foraging sites by keeping lids on trash cans and compost bins, keeping outdoor eating areas free of food debris, and maintaining gardens and fruit trees.

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control offerings.