A Helpful Guide To Effective Rodent Control For Boston Homeowners

Seeing as how some people keep rodents as pets, it might be easy to assume that they aren’t that much of a problem when found in your home. However, despite their size and even cute appearance, they are much more dangerous than you may know.

In the Boston area, mice and rats are the most common home-invading rodents. These two species have many things in common as they can cause property damage and also health issues. However, they are two different species. You’re very unlikely to have an infestation of both mice and rats at the same time.

Because mice and rats look and act similarly, it can be hard to tell them apart. However, there are some simple things you can look for to help you identify which species you are dealing with. Here is a quick guide to help you do so.

Mice: They are smaller than rats, but you can’t always rely on size since baby rats can be confused for mice. Other ways to tell mice from rats are that mice have pointed noses and proportionally large ears. They also have tails that are about the same length as their bodies and are a greyish brown color.
Rats: Rats have smaller ears than mice and their tails are usually longer than their bodies. They can be grey or dark brown depending on the species. They also have heads that are bigger and clunkier compared to their bodies than mice do.

Why Rodents Are So Dangerous

While there are other dangerous pests found around the area such as cockroaches, rodents are one of the worst kinds of pests because of how common they are. Mice and rats can cause many health concerns, and, in some cases, these health problems can be serious. The following are the health problems both rats and mice can cause:

They can spread around 35 different diseases such as hantavirus and salmonella.
Their fur, droppings, and urine can make you sick.
They may bite in rare cases.
They can carry parasites.
If their feces build up in walls, it can cause respiratory problems.
They can also trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.

Why It’s Hard To Get Rid Of Rodent Infestations

While there are some pests that homeowners can try to get rid of on their own with some success, rodents aren’t easy to prevent or remove. For one thing, common removal methods such as traps only handle a few rodents, but they will rarely get rid of an entire infestation. Mice and rats are also hard to remove because:

They are prolific breeders and reproduce quickly. It is really hard to keep their population under control. A female mouse can have up to 144 pups each year.
They are able to get inside easily because they can slip through small openings. A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime while rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter.

Get The Best In Total Rodent Control

Since mice and rats can be riddled with disease and are able to damage your property, they aren’t pests that should be taken lightly. While you can take steps to prevent them on your own, the most effective way to prevent and eliminate rodents is to get help from the pest control experts at Urbanex. Our rodent control services are effective and safe for pets and children. To get started, request a free inspection online or over the phone.

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