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Professional Mice, Rat, And Rodent Pest Control Charlottesville, Virginia
Most people can ignore a tiny insect, but a rodent, not so much. Why are rodents so feared by humans? First, and foremost, rodents, such as rats and mice, are unpredictable. Yes, unpredictable! You just never know what a rodent is about to do. Even scientists find rodents unpredictable, which is they are oftentimes the target of scientific studies. While some species of rodents are useful for science, humans are not open to sharing their homes with them. However, if your home is not secure, it will become infiltrated by rodents.
What Are The Two Most Common Species Of Mouse In Charlottesville, VA?
When a mouse is visually detected in a residential or commercial setting, witnesses are overwhelmed with fear. Their only thought is the mouse. The species never enters their mind. And, this is not to mention, many Charlottesville residents are not even aware there are more than one species of mouse.
There are primary mouse species found in Charlottesville, and throughout the State of Virginia for that matter. These include the deer mouse and the house mouse. Differentiating between the two species is extremely difficult because they share many of the same features. Fortunately, each mouse species has a few unique physical characteristics that simplify this process. If you do not allow fear to overtake you, you should be able to easily identify each mouse species. But, first, you must learn the physical characteristics of the house mouse and the deer mouse.
Deer Mouse – The “Peromyscus maniculatus,” grows up to 3 inches in length. The round-tipped ears stand up off the head most of the time. The eyes are black and large for such a small rodent. The fur ranges between dark brown and brownish/gray, with a white underside. Like the abdomen, the feet and legs are white in color. The nails are translucent-like and the pads on the bottom of the feet range between white and pink.
The tail measures nearly the length of the head and body combined. The tail is covered with multi-colored fur, which is generally dark brown and white or gray. The weight is between ½ to 4 grams.
House Mouse – The “Mus musculus” grows up to 4 inches in length, slightly larger than the deer mouse. The body is covered with short fur, ranging between light brown, dark brown, gray, and black. The feet and underside range between an off-white and buff coloration. The ears have rounded tips and stand up off the head. Unlike the deer mouse, the house mouse’s fur is short and thin.
The eyes are black. The pointy tip of the nose and inside the ears are pink. The tail is covered with a thin layer of hair. At maturity, the house mouse will weigh around 45 grams (1-5/8 ounces).
Rodent Infestation Signs To Know!
Every Charlottesville homeowner, tenant, landlord, and business should know the signs of a rodent infestation. There is no property 100 percent safe from the rat and mouse. It is unfortunate, but your property is a target just because it exists.
Knowing the signs of an infestation of rats will ensure early detection, resulting in more cost-efficient extermination. These signs include, but are not limited to the following:
- Fecal droppings on countertops, sinks, waste bins, dining tables, and floors
- Nests constructed from paperboard, twigs, grass, twine, and other materials found underneath or behind appliances
- Gnaw marks on structural components like studs, cabinet doors, drywall, flooring, and siding
- Damaged food packaging on countertops and in pantries
- Scurrying and gnawing noises audible through thin walls
What Are The Characteristics Of Mice Fecal Droppings?
Fecal droppings belonging to varying mouse species are slightly different. Some fecal droppings are longer, thinner, darker, and larger than others. However, most mouse feces is shaped like a cooked granule of rice, but, instead of being white or brown, they are dark black.
The tips are pointy or rounded, measuring between 3 and 6 millimeters in length. The mouse will drop its feces in feeding and nesting areas. They can also be found along frequently traveled pathways.
Why Are Rats Infesting My Charlottesville Home?
Rats and mice are highly known for residential and commercial infestation. These rodents are also known for infesting public facilities and services, such as sewers, landfills, drain manholes, and underground subways. There is no public place, government entity, commercial facility, or residential establishment off-limits to the rat and mouse.
Rodents infiltrate the human habitat through exterior-to-interior openings no larger than ¼ of an inch in diameter. If there is no accessible entry point, the rat will create one. Unfortunately, most buildings are vulnerable, meaning they have at least one, more in most cases, opening that is accessible to rodents.
Do Mice Spread Disease To Humans?
Yes, mice and rats have been known to spread disease to humans. Rat– and mouse-borne illnesses spread through contaminated fecal material and urine. Both rodent species drop their contaminated urine and feces everywhere they go. Homes infested with rats are nothing less than a danger zone for both animal and human occupants.
Rat– and mouse-borne illnesses include:
- Hemorrhagic fever
- Plague
- Leptospirosis
- Lassa fever
- Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
- Hantavirus
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
- Mycoplasma pulmonis
While rats and mice are linked to the above diseases, not all species are infected. As an inexperienced individual, differentiating between the hundreds of rat and mouse species is impossible. Since there are only two mouse species known to inhabit Charlottesville, it is possible.
Rats and mice are also known to spread fleas to domesticated animals – felines (cats) and canines.
Do Rodents Cause Structural Damage To Houses?
Yes, rodents do cause structural damage, which is related to the need to continuously gnaw. The rodent’s incisors, front teeth, are constantly growing. To prevent out-of-control growth, rodents constantly gnaw on various structural components, surfaces, and materials.
Are Rodents A Fire Hazard?
Yes, rodents are a fire hazard? How? As mentioned previously, rodents are constantly filing down their incisors. By gnawing on different structures, such as electrical wiring, the rodent can keep its teeth from growing out of control. Electrical wiring is covered with a layer of protective material. When rodents gnaw through the protective layer, the electrical wiring is exposed to the elements. If the electrical wiring is not hot, there is no fire hazard when making contact with flammable materials, such as insulation paper.
When a naked hotwire makes contact with flammable material, it is an electrical fire hazard.
What Is The Best Rodentcide?
An industrial-strength rodent bait has proven time and time again to be the most effective rodenticide. Rat bait utilizes toxins that are fatal to rodents. When rodenticides are combined with adhesive and conventional traps, it is possible to eradicate an infestation in the shortest duration.
The rat and mouse are nocturnal rodent species, meaning they surface at night, while humans are generally asleep. Witnesses claim to have heard scurrying and gnawing noises coming from their kitchens, dining rooms, basements, crawlspaces, and attics.
Professional rodent control helps control the population in Charlottesville. Rodent population control decreases the number of new infestation cases and the risk of rat– and mouse-borne illnesses.
How Do Consumers Request A Free Home Rat Inspection?
Our Charlottesville customer support is available Monday through Friday and some weekends. We operate extended hours to ensure all Charlottesville consumers have access to a high-quality rodent management service.
Our pest control services include same-day, emergency, and appointment-only. We suggest opting for a service that will best suit your needs and preferences. Our same-day and emergency rodent control are highly recommended for signs of an infestation. If signs of a rodent infestation are present, the initial infiltration took place weeks or months previously.
Our service request processing takes between 24 and 48 hours to complete.
Does Conventional Rodentcide Contain Harmful Ingredients?
Yes, conventional rodenticides do contain toxins that pose a danger to rats and mice. These substances also pose health risks to children and animals when accidentally ingested. When utilizing these rodent baits, we highly recommend extra safety precautions. Keep out of reach of cats, dogs, wild animals, and children.
Our rodenticide product line consist of brands approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency “EPA”. The EPA oversees the production and sale of all rat and mouse bait within the US borders.
What Is The Best Mouse Prevention Strategy For Residential Establishments?
There is no single mouse prevention technique that offers 100 percent effectiveness. A combination of prevention measures will offer more protection against all rodents. With the client’s help, our extermination team can customize a rodent prevention strategy guaranteed to deliver 100 percent effectiveness.
- Develop a non-perishable food storage system utilizing glass and stainless steel containers with resealable lids
- Develop a household waste disposal system to remove food sources out of the reach of rodents
- Seal all exterior-to-interior openings, including utility line passages
- Install metal sheeting barriers to seal off all large exterior-to-interior access points
- Routinely vacuum kitchen countertops, pantries, and underneath appliances
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
Our Service Areas
Dayton, Bridgewater, Harrisonburg, Clifford, Mitchells, Pleasant-Valley, Piney-River, Mount-Crawford, Goochland, Arrington, Brightwood, Massies-Mill, Tyro, Sandy-Hook, Roseland, Mount-Sidney, Rapidan, Cartersville, Weyers-Cave, Locust-Dale, Verona, Penn-Laird, Norwood, Buckingham, Hadensville, Stuarts-Draft, Mc-Gaheysville, Oakpark, Fort-Defiance, Wingina, Wolftown, Elkton, Fishersville, Madison, Woodberry-Forest, Lovingston, Graves-Mill, Port-Republic, Orange, New-Hope, Lyndhurst, New-Canton, Pratts, Radiant, Shipman, Grottoes, Columbia, Aroda, Arvonia, Nellysford, Louisa, Waynesboro, Hood, Rochelle, Bremo-Bluff, Crimora, Howardsville, Kents-Store, Montpelier-Station, Trevilians, Quinque, Stanardsville, Fork-Union, Somerset, Faber, Schuyler, Afton, Dyke, Gordonsville, Esmont, Ruckersville, Greenwood, Crozet, Free-Union, Covesville, Scottsville, Batesville, Barboursville, Palmyra, White-Hall, Keene, Troy, North-Garden, Ivy, Earlysville, Keswick.
Zip Codes We Service
24599, 24590, 24581, 24562, 24533, 24486, 24482, 24477, 24471, 24469, 24467, 24437, 24441, 23921, 24431, 23170, 23153, 23123, 23093, 23084, 23067, 23063, 23055, 23027, 23038, 23004, 23022, 22989, 22987, 22980, 22976, 22974, 22973, 22972, 22971, 22969, 22968, 22967, 22965, 22964, 22960, 22963, 22959, 22958, 22957, 22954, 22952, 22949, 22948, 22947, 22946, 22943, 22945, 22942, 22940, 22939, 22938, 22937, 22936, 22935, 22932, 22931, 22924, 22923, 22920, 22922, 22911, 22910, 22909, 22908, 22907, 22906, 22905, 22904, 22903, 22902, 22848, 22901, 22846, 22841, 22827, 22840, 22821, 22812, 22801, 22748, 22738, 22733, 22732, 22731, 22730, 22727, 22729, 22723, 22721, 22715, 22709.