Did you know that around the world there are more than 1,000 species of rodents and that they can range from only a few ounces to over 100 pounds? This makes rodents a much more diverse and prevalent kind of mammal than you might have realized.
Luckily, there are only a couple of rodents in Pompano Beach that are likely to become a problem for homeowners: mice and rats. While mice and rats are two different species, they have a lot of similarities in how they look and in how they act, as both can pose health risks and cause property damage. However, it is very unlikely to have an infestation of both at the same time.
To help you identify rodents around your property and figure out which species you're dealing with, there are a few key differences between the two that you should know. First of all, mice are a light brownish-grey color with pointed noses, large ears, and proportionally long tails covered in fur. On the other hand, rats have blunt noses and small ears, and they range in color from brownish-grey to black.
The Many Risks Of Having Rodents In Your Home
While some people keep mice and rats as pets, the wild species that invade area homes are not harmless. They bring with them many serious health risks including the potential to spread up to 35 different diseases, including hantavirus and salmonellosis. As well as spreading diseases themselves, rodents can carry parasites like fleas that can spread other illnesses. On top of this, having mice and rats inside your home can lead to food contamination, allergic reactions, and respiratory issues.
While the health concerns are the biggest issue, mice and rats can also cause property damage as they will constantly gnaw on many materials including drywall, cloth, plastic, and wood. They often damage electrical wires and plumbing, too, which can cause safety risks.
Signs Of A Rodent Infestation
While noticing a mouse or rat scurrying around is an obvious sign of an infestation, there are other signs you are likely to notice first if you know what to look for. Some of the most common signs you have rodents around your property include:
- Small, rod-shaped droppings
- Gnaw marks around walls and baseboards
- A musty, urine odor
- Scurrying or squeaking noises coming from walls
Can You Remove Rodents On Your Own?
While some property owners try to get rid of rodents themselves, this isn’t a good idea. For one thing, mice and rats are prolific pests that can hide in many hard to reach places, so most DIY attempts just aren’t effective. You'll likely end up wasting a lot of time and money trying to remove the infestation with little to no success.
The other concern with removing rodents by yourself is that some methods, such as bait, can be dangerous. This is especially true for households that have pets and small children, as they might mistake the brightly colored bait for food and end up consuming a poisonous substance.
What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Rodents?
Instead of dealing with ineffectual and sometimes dangerous, do-it-yourself rodent removal methods, let the residential pest control experts at Pest-Aside remove them effectively and safely. Our team receives ongoing training and has years of experience removing both mice and rats from Pompano Beach properties.
We provide same-day or next-day services in most cases, and we can even offer free, no-obligation inspections. Discover more about our rodent control services by giving us a call at (561) 933-6857 or sending us a message online.