Milford, MA
Rodent Control

When I think of rodents I think of my nephew’s favorite show “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”. Though unlike mickey mouse and his friends, the rodents found here in Milford are pests that can invade our homes and bring in disease or cause damage. They are smart and can even use teamwork towards the same goal. Rodents are known for their fruitful breeding ability and it can turn into a problem quickly. Milford homes, whether new or old have cracks and crevices that form throughout over the months and years. As you guess, this is exactly what a rodent needs to get in. Milford rodent control includes addressing the structure as well as the rodents at hand.

Rodents are omnivores so they can consume animal products as well as food sources from plants. Most rodents tend to prefer eating plant-based foods like grains, seeds, or any type of carbohydrate. That being said, rodents pretty much eat anything that we do plus a whole bunch of things that no normal human should eat.

Rat and mouse food preferences develop along with their surroundings. When performing Milford rodent control that includes baits of any sort, it is important to note what they have been feeding on. Feeding them what they are used to eating is the best way to quickly affect the population.

Let’s explore some of the rodents that we encounter frequently around here.

These rodents are typically identified by having pointed noses, large round ears, and a long hairy tail. House mice can have black, gray, or brown hair and anything in between. They are roughly 3.4 inches in length. They typically have very short hair on their ears and tail.

House mice are one of the most adaptable species of mice. When the weather gets colder, they typically move indoors for warmth and shelter. This means they will be scavenging your home for food. In many cases, people will start to encounter food stores from mice in the fall as they start to stash food for the cold.

Deer mice share a lot of similar characteristics to house mice. They tend to be a little larger in size than the house mouse. They are usually some combination of grey, white, and tan with white underbellies and feet. They also have smaller noses and ears than the house mouse.

Studies have shown that they can be carriers of Lyme’s diseases. They are also the ones associated with the hantavirus. The mice act very similarly to their cousins.

This type of rat is one of the largest rodents in the family. It can grow to nearly 12 inches long including its tail. Keep in mind, the younger Norway rats are going to be much closer in size to a mouse. Many people get thrown off by a passing Norway rat mistaken for a large mouse. They are typically brown or grey in color and have a large body-to-head ratio.

These rodents pretty much like to live anywhere humans do. Norway rats are found in every continent excluding Antarctica. Like their cousins, they come into homes to shelter from harsh climates.

Rodents tend to move with the change of climate. In the fall and winter, you will see more activity in your house as they seek shelter. Identify points of entry around the exterior of your house and block them or repair them. Don’t forget to think like a rodent. Get down on their level and look at things from different angles. We are typically looking down where they are looking up. We see wires and they see tree branches leading to food.

For mice that have gotten in as well as reducing population pressures on the exterior of structures, well-placed bait stations and traps can be key. Keep in mind Milford rodent control is more successful when the trap or bait station can be entered from either side.

Additionally, mice and rats like to run lines. They will use their vibrissae to track their position along walls and around corners. Orienting traps and bait stations to these lines will prove more successful than just dropping the trap where Uncle Ned claims he saw it scurry across his shoe.

Rodents love running along things, hiding, and making nests out of soft materials. Reducing clutter, eliminating nesting sources, and keeping plants trimmed away from structures will deliver huge benefits in the overall Milford rodent control plan.

Think of rats and mice as teenage boys. Take away the food and they will go somewhere else. Keeping the food out of their reach and sealed up can take some focus and concerted effort, but is well worth the time it takes. Don’t forget they will eat the crumbs that fall out of obvious sight. Also, they are not averse to garbage feeding.

Controlling rodents can be tricky as they love to nest in the walls and hang out deep in the foundation of your home. The best way to take care of a rodent presence is to call a certified pest controller. Rove Pest Control’s team of rodent experts are handy resources for both eliminating and preventing rodent issues with a plan customized to your specific needs.