Rodents have depended on humans for thousands of years, much to the dismay of the civilizations they plagued. It all started when colonies became more sedentary, rather than migratory, and cultivated crops and cattle instead of depending on foraging and hunting. Colonies built grain houses to store their wheat and, eventually, all that stored food attracted rodents like rats and mice. Ever since, these pests have been depending on the hard work of humanity, and we've been stuck dealing with the short end of the stick; learning how to prevent rodents from entering your home is paramount!
Most Common Rodents Found In South Pasadena
Rodents are native to almost every country on Earth, except Antarctica and New Zealand, and there are roughly 1,500 different species worldwide. Still, thankfully they don't all want to shack up in your attic and steal your cereal. In South Pasadena, there are only five different species that homes and businesses have to worry about:
- Roof Rats
- Norway Rats
- House Mice
- Field Mice
- Squirrels
Rats range from dark dusty brown to black with cream-colored underbellies, long hairless tails, and can measure up to be around 17 inches long, nose to tail. Mice are generally lighter in color, with beige to light dusty brown fur and cream-colored underbellies, long hairless tails, and only measure up to five to seven inches long, nose to tail. Squirrels have rusty brown fur, long bushy tails and are more commonly seen nesting in trees.
Rodent infestations come with many problems, including property damage, contaminated food and surfaces, and dangerous pathogens. These pests are carriers of diseases like plague, salmonella, dysentery, and rat-bite fever, and they also bring their pests such as ticks, fleas, and mites. They also have constantly growing incisors to add insult to injury, which means they have to chew to keep them filed down. They can chew through wood, drywall, electrical wires, water pipes, plastics, rubber, and even low-gauge metal sheets.
How To Prevent Rodents From Infesting Your South Pasadena Property
Like all pests, rodents are drawn to favorable environments containing food, water, and shelter, and South Pasadena homes and businesses possess all three. The best way to prevent rodents from infesting your South Pasadena property is to limit their accessibility:
- Repair any damage around the exterior of your home; siding, foundation, roof and trim, and around pipes and wires
- Fill in any ground holes you find on your property
- Address any moisture issues around your home; leaking pipes, compacted soil, clogged gutters, moisture-retaining rooms, extensive water damage
- Keep dried foods stored in airtight containers
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly
- Clean up any food and drink spills immediately after they occur
- Wipe down all counters and food prep areas daily
- Downsize on household clutter to remove nesting spots
The Best Way To Eradicate A Rodent Infestation In Your South Pasadena Home
Rodents are dangerous pests because of their ability to inflict structural damage and spread diseases, and dangerous pests should never be dealt with alone. Not only would you run the chance of getting injured, but you could also push them farther into hiding, and homes and businesses have a lot of inaccessible hiding spots that rodents can utilize. Instead of taking a chance on extermination methods that might not work, give your friendly neighborhood Kat a call.
At Kat's Pest Solutions, we know how scary a rodent infestation can be, and we do our best to make your pest control experience an enjoyable one. We're prompt, thorough, and effective, and we have South Pasadena pest control plans to fit in any budget, guaranteed! With our high-quality home pest control products and free inspections, you're sure to have a smile on your face by the time we finish treating your property. So please get in contact with us today, and let the Kat handle your rodent control needs in South Pasadena.