Rodents are notorious for contaminating food, water, and personal possessions and are a high risk of disease. Both through direct contact and through feces, they expose people to the diseases. Rodents spread a long list of diseases including leptospirosis, salmonellosis, hantavirus, and tularemia. Chewing through everything including wood, insulation, plastic, and wiring, rodents are also quite destructive, and their habits can lead to structural damage and fire risk. Inside walls, attics, and crawlspaces, basements, and some, rodents will nest and breed, and some even burrow underneath plants and other structures. With this in mind, we at A Five Star Termite & Pest Control would like to offer you the basics about rodents in general in the Greater San Antonio, TX area.
How Can You Tell if You have a Mouse or Rat Infestation?
One of the most common pests found in homes throughout Southwest Texas are perhaps rodents. Many homeowners will find themselves having to deal with a rodent living on their property or in their homes, at one point or another. if you want rodent removal done fast and right, you want to hire the experts, such as A Five Star Termite & Pest Control, though you can try to deal with it on your own. There are many signs of rodents that you should be on the lookout for, although most rodents are sneaky and can be difficult to detect. These signs include:
– Hearing from your walls any scurrying and squeaking
– Finding around the house chewed wires
– Furniture that looks gnawed on
– Boxes of food in your pantry that have been clawed into
– Rodent droppings
What Kind of Rats, Mice & Other Rodents are in San Antonio?
1) Roof Rats. Roof rats are a big problem in San Antonio. They are brown with black spots and lighter undersides and roof rats are usually about 8 inches long not including the tail. Usually, they are drawn to the upper levels of buildings, tall shrubbery, and trees. In addition to food scraps and garbage, they are attracted to things like bird feeders or pet food kept outside and breed very quickly.
2) Norway Rats. These rats are slightly larger than black rats and can get up to 12 inches long in the body. Usually with some black markings with lighter colored underbellies, they usually have brown or gray fur. They like warm dark areas of homes and Norway rats like to burrow near building foundations. Even just an inch or so size opening is all they need as they can squeeze in through very small holes.
3) House Mouse. The most encountered mouse across the country and in San Antonio is the house mouse. With a rounded shape, they are a light gray with a cream-colored belly. House mice can be anywhere from 2 to almost 4 inches long.
4) Deer Mouse. Typically, they often nest in places like hollow trees, piles of debris, fence posts, and more as deer mice prefer to live outside. They may seek shelter inside homes, garages, outbuildings, and even parked cars in the colder months or if opportunity strikes. These mice are slightly larger than house mice, ranging from about 5 to 8 inches long. Deer mice are brown with white-colored feet and lighter underbellies.
5) Squirrels. Squirrels can be quite destructive, though they are mostly an outdoor pest. They are foragers and are constantly on the lookout for food along with carrying diseases. If food is available, they will go into gardens, sheds, even outdoor cooking areas.
Rodent Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal, Management & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
If you are having a rodent problem in San Antonio, TX and surrounding areas, contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control and let us assist you!
