Rodent control in Northern Virginia isn’t always an easy task. There are many types of rodents here that love to invade homes and yards alike, and you can easily find yourself living with a horde of unwelcome four-legged roommates. Learn more about the local rodents you may encounter and how to keep them away with the help of SPRK Pest Solutions.
Common Rodent Species: Identifying Different Types Of Rodents
There are several different types of rodents that can try to invade your property and live either in your yard or in your home. Some of the rodents you may encounter in Northern Virginia include:
- Voles
- Chipmunks
- Squirrels
- Rats
- Mice
It’s not always easy to identify whether you have a rodent infestation or which rodents are infesting your home. For instance, you might see squirrels running around your yard but not necessarily realize they are living in your attic.
You can also have a significant rat or mouse infestation inside your home without ever knowing because these indoor rodents are so good at keeping out of sight. That’s why you’ve got to be vigilant for the signs of a rodent infestation, especially indoors, as rodents inside your house are much more of a threat than outdoor ones.
Rodent Dangers: Health Risks And Property Damage
Rodents living outside are highly unlikely to expose you to disease. They might do some outdoor property damage or bring parasitic pests like ticks or fleas into your yard, but the most serious rodent threats are the rodents that live indoors with you.
Rats and mice are known or suspected to spread dozens of different pathogens. They have no problem leaving feces and urine virtually everywhere in your house, including inside your food stores. They also shed contaminated hair and spread germs with their filthy feet. All of this means that a rat or mouse infestation inside your home can make you very sick.
Rats and mice also love to chew on everything they can get their paws on. They have to grind down their constantly growing teeth, and this can lead them to gnaw on truly dangerous items like live electrical wires and plumbing pipes, which means they can do major property damage as well as jeopardize your health.
Proactive Rodent Control: Preventing Infestations Before They Begin
Rodent control in Fairfax is not easy for homeowners to accomplish on their own once they have an infestation. Existing rodent infestations almost always require professional help. However, there are plenty of ways for you to go about making your home less attractive to rodents in the first place. Take measures like:
- Store pantry foods in airtight, hard-shell containers.
- Keep all indoor and outdoor garbage cans on your property tightly covered.
- Never leave pet foods or pet bowls sitting out.
- Clean and declutter frequently to reduce crumbs and hiding spots.
- Use wire mesh to seal construction gaps around your home.
Taking these measures can help make your home less attractive to rodents and encourage them to move on to greener pastures.
Professional Rodent Control: The Best Way To Keep Mice And Rats Away
It can be tough to get rid of rodents after they’ve already invaded your home. Things like snap traps and rat poison aren’t just ineffective against entire infestations, but they can also be dangerous to pets and small children living on your property. This is why you should contact professional rodent control experts as soon as you suspect you might have a rodent problem.
Here at SPRK Pest Solutions, we offer premier Northern Virginia rodent control services. Rodents might be able to outfox and outbreed grocery store solutions, but they cannot get past us. So don’t live with these unwanted house guests. Give us a call or visit our contact page to schedule your rodent inspection today.
