The Most Effective Rodent Control Solution For Plymouth Properties

A pair of upper and lower incisor teeth distinguish rodents from other mammals. Rodents in the yard (i.e., moles, voles, gophers) use these ever-growing teeth to cut through roots, while others use them to cut down small trees and access nuts (i.e., beavers and squirrels). While most rodents are wild animals that prefer to live apart from humans, some rodents, like mice and rats, don't mind sharing space with people. These commensal rodents use their sharp, long teeth to cut holes in walls and floors to access homes when they need food, water, and shelter. Because of the razor edge on their teeth from the intersection of enamel and dentine, these animals can gnaw through wires, thin aluminum siding, plastic, wood, glass, and even concrete. 

The following are the rodents that infest many Plymouth homes:

• House mice
• Norway rats
• Roof rats
• Wood rats

We will briefly describe each rodent so you can identify the types of rodents in Plymouth. 

House mice are the smallest compared to rat rodents. Not including the tail, these dusty grey or light brown furry creatures have a body measurement of 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 inches; add another 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 inches for their long tail. House mice live in secluded areas in Plymouth homes in nests created from paper, insulation, fabrics, and other materials. 

Norway rats are the largest-bodied rodents infesting many Plymouth homes, with a total body length of 16 inches. Although roof rats have a similar overall measurement, Norway rats are heavier. Also called street, sewer, or brown rats, these animals have brown fur interspersed with black hairs on the topside and a grey-to-white belly. They also have a blunt muzzle. 

Sometimes called black or ship rats, the roof rats are similar in size and coloration to Norway rats but are lighter, have slender bodies, and have scaly tails. As their name suggests, these rodents prefer to live in attics and second or third floors of homes which they access using tree branches touching the house. 

Whether they know it or not, if someone accuses you of being a pack rat, they think you act like a rodent. Wood rats, also known as packrats or trade rats, have the same brownish-grey coloration as the other rats on our list. Sometimes called packrats because they collect food, bones, sticks, shiny metal objects, and other debris near their dens, these rats have bushy tails and vary in body length depending upon the species. 

If you have been searching for rodent control near you, look no further than Combat Pest Control. Our trained and certified technicians know the signs of a rodent infestation and will provide you with a solution to your rat or mouse problem.

When we hear what we believe are rodents in the walls, crawl space, basement, or attic, there is a good reason we intuitively want them removed. Rodents carry bacteria and viruses that can transfer to surfaces, items, and people in the house. Disease-causing pathogens from surfaces in sewers, drains, trash, and compost bins, stick to the feet and oily fur of rats and mice as they forage in these areas. Fleas and ticks also inhabit these areas where they hitchhike onto the passing animal by jumping onto it or through questing (ticks). 

Other sources of bacteria, viruses, and roundworms via rodents are their feces, urine, and saliva. When these mammals feed in unsanitary, germ-saturated areas, they consume the pathogenic organisms, which they later spread when they defecate or gnaw on objects. 

House mice spread leptospirosis, tularemia, salmonellosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), which produce flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, and cramps. Rats transmit some of the same bacterial diseases plus rat-bite fever; they also spread the cowpox virus and roundworms that cause trichinosis. 

When the hitchhiking fleas and ticks move from the rodents and attach to humans, they can infect their host with similar diseases and other serious infections. Ticks can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. Fleas can transfer bacteria, viruses, and tapeworms to their human and pet hosts causing murine typhus, tungiasis, bartonellosis, and tapeworm and anemia in pets. Symptoms from these infections range from mild, flu-like to life-threatening issues requiring immediate medical attention. 

In addition to the infections rodents spread, they also trigger allergic reactions such as runny nose, itchy eyes, etc., from dried airborne fecal matter.  

While rodents endanger the health of occupants, they can cause physical damage to the property. Destruction can be the marring of furniture and holes in the walls and floors; however, there is potential for worse to happen. Because rodents live where wiring is present, they chew the wires to trim their teeth and remove the protective coating. The combination of electrified exposed wires, moisture, and the shuffling of materials by the movement of rodents in walls can spark electrical fires. It is possible rodents are involved when a seemingly uncaused house fire begins. 

Protect your family's health from the diseases rats carry and the other dangers rodents cause by partnering with Combat Pest Control. With over a quarter-century of experience, we know how to remove rodents from your Plymouth home.

You do not have to battle rodents if you take steps to keep them from entering your property and home. Here are a few rodent prevention tips that will keep rodents out of your house:

• Prune tree and shrub branches away from the structure
• Install 1/4 inch wire mesh over the crawl space and attic openings
• Seal gaps between incoming pipes and wires with steel wool
• Close dime-sized or larger holes with steel wool or a mortar mix

In addition to preventing rodents from entering the house, deter them from staying on the property by removing pet and bird feeders, keeping outdoor garbage containers closed, and providing proper drainage to ditches and low-lying areas. 

Reduce enticement to enter the house by keeping indoor garbage cans closed, regularly vacuuming the house, suctioning out corners and cracks, and removing excess boxes, magazines, and debris from the garage, crawl space, basement, and attic. Maintaining a clean, dry interior and exterior will deter rodents from staying on the property and entering the house.  

When a certified pest control technician from Combat Pest Control arrives to provide rodent control for your home, they will inspect the house for attractants and entry points. We will give you additional suggestions for the house and property based on the information collected during our investigation.

Removing rodents is more complicated than purchasing a few traps because many rodents quickly multiply. These furry, disease-ridden creatures will infest the property until you address the den, attractants, and entry points, and most people do not know the solutions to those problems. 

When you contact Combat Pest Control for effective rodent control in Plymouth, we will listen to your concern and dispatch a pest control technician to your location. We will inspect your property to determine the items mentioned above. Utilizing training and experience, our technician will use the data to create a rodent removal plan incorporating bait stations and strategically located traps. 

We are the local, fast, and effective pest control service that is the solution to your rodent problem. Contact us today to learn more about rodent control plans and get a free estimate.