Rodents are mammals that live worldwide. Many live far from our homes and businesses, but others have learned to benefit from living near or with people. Many rodents call Fort Lauderdale home, and keeping them from becoming comfortable on our properties can seem like a never-ending task.
The most effective way to deter rodent activity is to partner with the experts in rodent control in Fort Lauderdale at Mitchell Pest Services. Through regular inspections and services, rodents won’t be made to feel welcome on your property. To help you learn more about the common rodents that call our region of Florida home, we have put together this informative guide. We are here to help keep rodents and their dangers away from people and their property.
Common Rodent Species: Identifying Different Types Of Rodents
Did you know that rodents make up the largest order of mammals? There are more than 1,500 different types of rodents living worldwide. Luckily, only some of those rodent species have developed close relationships with people. In Fort Lauderdale, the rodents most likely to find their way to your property include:
Mice: Mice are small rodents with oval bodies, triangular heads, and pointed noses. They have long, thin tails, and their tails and ears are covered in a light layer of fur.
Norway rats: These rats are big rodents and heavy-bodied. These rats prefer to live at ground level.
Roof rats: This rat species is smaller than the Norway rat and more agile. They are excellent climbers and like to spend their time up off the ground.
No matter the species of Florida rodent that finds their way to your property, one thing is for sure: you need to remove them quickly. All rodents have continuously growing front incisors. To prevent them from overgrowing, they constantly gnaw on objects they come across. In our homes, rodents cause a lot of damage to things like wires, pipes, drywall, furniture, clothing, bedding, and more with their gnawing habits.
Health Risks Of Rodent Invasions: Protecting Your Family And Pets
Not only are rodents destructive pests, but they are a health risk. Keeping rodents away is vital to the health of your family and pets. Rodents are pests that can spread a variety of diseases. They spread disease by contaminating surfaces and food sources directly or with their saliva, urine, and feces. Rodents spread dangerous bacteria, human pathogens, and parasites. Addressing a problem with rodents as quickly as possible is vital to keeping you, your family, and your pets healthy.
Rodent Exclusion Tips: Safeguard Your Property from Invasions
When guarding your property from rodents, you need to be proactive. Use the following tips to safeguard your Fort Lauderdale property against rodents:
Remove harborage sites like leaf piles, construction debris, and fallen trees from your yard.
Store outdoor trash cans away from the outside of your home and keep tight-fitting lids on them.
Eliminate standing water from your yard that can offer rodents a water source.
Use door sweeps and weatherstripping to help keep rodents away.
Use caulk, expanding foam, or steel wool to seal gaps or other spaces that develop in your home’s exterior.
Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home and seal spaces around wires and pipes entering your home.
Use the above easy-to-execute rodent prevention tips to help win the fight against rodents and keep them out of your Fort Lauderdale home.
Professional Rodent Control: Why Expertise Matters
Never try to handle a problem with rodents on your own. If you spot rodent activity on your property, don’t waste time and money trying to address the issue alone. The most effective way to handle a rodent problem is with the help of an experienced professional. At Mitchell Pest Services, we offer rodent control in Fort Lauderdale and beyond that homeowners can trust to remove unwanted rodents and stop them from returning. Reach out to us today to learn more about the safe rodent treatments that you can count on to be effective. Our service professionals are here to meet your rodent and pest control needs!