There is a fine line between a house pet and a house pest, and rodents often walk this line. On one hand, these furry creatures can make amazing furry friends and provide years of cuddles and entertainment when domesticated. On the other hand, wild rodents are incredibly noisy, destructive, and dangerous and regularly cause trouble in and around Raleigh homes.
So what sets pet rodents apart from pest rodents? Three words: freedom of choice. When rodents are allowed to roam freely around homes, they get into trouble. To keep furry pests off your Raleigh property, here are five no-sweat prevention tips you can try.
Common Rodents Around Raleigh
Several species of rodents claim Raleigh as their home. Thankfully, only a few are known for invading homes. Here are four of the most common pest rodents in our area and a little information you should know about each.
House Mice: The house mouse is one of the smallest rodents in our area and uses its size and agility to climb, chew, and squeeze its way into homes. Identify this common pest by its light brown fur, 7 ½” body to tail length, and lighter colored underbelly.
Deer Mice: The deer mouse, like the house mouse, is small and agile. This pest’s large back feet give them an advantage with both running and jumping, both of which are helpful skills when looking to invade a property. Identify this pest by its brown fur, 5 to 8” body to tail length, and white feet/underbelly.
Roof Rats: The roof rats, as its name suggests, is adept at climbing walls, jumping from branches, or tight walking over electrical wires to gain access to the roofing of homes. Identify this agile rodent by its dark brown to black fur, and 16” body to tail length.
Norway Rats: The Norway rat is the most common home-invading rat around the world. Despite its larger size, this pest rodents find no trouble in chewing and squeezing its way indoors. Identify this invasive pest by its brown fur, 17” body to tail length, and lighter colored underbelly.
The Three Things That Attract Rodents
Rodents are drawn to properties by three things: food, water, and safety. Food is found in the form of leftovers on countertops, rotting garbage inside trash cans, scraps forgotten under appliances and furniture, and from boxes of stored food within pantries. Water is easier to find as it often builds up around homes, leaks from pipes indoors, and is regularly easily available inside sinks, laundry rooms, basements, and toilets. Finally, shelter is the easiest thing for rodents to find around homes, especially considering that they spend the majority of their time inside wall and ceiling voids where homeowners cannot reach them.
5+1 Prevention Tips For Rodents
- Use a caulking gun and some steel wool to fill gaps, holes, and cracks in the exterior of your home’s foundation.
- Repair serious damage to shingles, siding, and your home’s roofline.
- Address moisture issues around your home.
- Clean your home regularly.
- Store leftover foods inside airtight rodent-proof containers.
As a bonus tip to handling rodents, get an expert involved and make your life a thousand times easier! At Pest & Termite Consultants we provide comprehensive solutions to our community to both eliminate and prevent troublesome rodents in Raleigh. With prices you can trust and a team that will always have your back, you won’t ever have to think twice after choosing us.