Too often, homeowners only think of pest problems when they are apparent. By then, though, elimination can be nearly impossible and real dangers can be posed to you and your loved ones. Rodents in Dallas are some of the trickiest and most dangerous pests, so it pays to learn how you can spot the signs of infestation early and take proper action.

Rats Vs. Mice

Homes that have a rodent infestation usually have one of the two most common infestations: rats or mice. It can be comforting to note that it’s almost always one or the other since territorial rodents don’t like to compete with others for food and shelter. It’s not much of a comfort, however, since this means that rodents will infest the maximum number of households possible in an area.

Learning to tell the difference between mice and rats will help you know which solutions to apply to the problem:

Mice

Size: Mice typically only grow to a couple of inches in length, though their long tails trail far behind them.
Ears: Mice ears are almost comically large and circular, resting right atop their heads.
Head: Mice have triangular heads with short snouts and button-like noses.

Rats

Size: Rats can grow much larger than mice, with some even growing to a foot in total length. Those that thrive on urban trash can especially grow large.
Ears: Rat ears are pinched at the edges and sit far back on the skull, rather than on the top of the head.
Head: Rats have long, slender faces that give their heads a sleeker appearance than snub-nosed mice.

The Dangers Of A Rodent Population

Once introduced to your home, a rodent infestation can pose direct threats to your health and property. Here are some of the most common problems associated with a rodent population:

Disease: Rats and mice carry and spread dangerous diseases, including hantavirus, rabies, and plague.
Damage: Rodents chew incessantly on household items in order to keep their ever-growing front teeth filed down. This leads to damaged materials and chewed-through wiring. Rodents all dig and scratch through woods and insulation to get around inside of walls.
Odor: The presence of smelly rodent urine and feces doesn’t make for a pleasant aroma. The mere presence of rodent droppings can even make one sick.

Not Just Anything Works

If rodent elimination were easy, pest companies wouldn’t exist. The fact of the matter is that rodents are extremely difficult to get rid of. These wily pests stick to the shadows and are good at avoiding detection. Even if you know they’re there, rodents can escape from store-bought and homemade traps. Unproven baits can simply end up feeding the problem rather than eliminating it. The longer a rodent infestation goes untreated, the worse it gets. Mice and rats grow very quickly, able to become mature and breeding members of a population in a matter of weeks. Every rodent female can give birth to several litters of pups a year. That’s a whole lot of rodents in a very short time!

Professional Protection Is A Click Away

Since rodent removal is such a tall order, and since the dangers of a rodent problem can be far worse than simple annoyances, the smartest course of action is to turn to the professionals. At Addison Pest Control, our expert staff can provide you with helpful tips to prevent and spot the signs of a rodent infestation. Our routine and thorough inspections help catch pest populations early and determine your home’s risk of invasion. If problems are spotted, you can trust our methods to not only work but keep rodents from moving in later, too.

For superior rodent protection, trust Addison Pest Control.