
Texans love to see the changing colors of the leaves during the fall, but they do not necessarily love the pests that try to make their way inside. Although Texas has a warm climate all year round, it still becomes cooler in the fall months. Many people find these temperatures to be more comfortable but for rodents, it may be too cold, particularly in the overnight hours. As such, they may try to find their way inside where they can enjoy shelter and easy access to food. So, what rodents should homeowners be most concerned about during the fall months? The top three rodent concerns are found below.
House Mice
House mice are some of the most common rodents homeowners have to contend with during the fall months. They are also of great concern. Mice are known to carry the hantavirus and other diseases, such as salmonella. They can enter homes very easily, as they are very small and flexible, so they can fit into spaces as small as one-quarter of an inch. House mice have short hair, large ears, and a pointed nose.
House mice do not have good eyesight and so, they typically travel along walls. As such, smudges and greasy spots along the walls are signs of an infestation. House mice will also leave droppings wherever they go, so seeing feces shaped like a rod with pointed ends is a sure sign that an infestation has already developed.
Roof Rats
The most common type of rat in Texas is the roof rat. As their name suggests, roof rats prefer to be up high and once on roofs of high structures they will use their teeth and paws to rip off siding and chew through pipes and wiring to make their way into the walls and attic of a home. Like other rodents, roof rats will eat anything they find. However, they eat an enormous amount of food at one time before going to sleep for a short time, or they will store the food for later.
Norway Rats
Another, albeit less common, type of rodent in Texas is the Norway rat. The Norway rat is quite large with brown or gray coloring. They have small beady eyes, bi-colored tails, and small ears. The teeth of Norway rats constantly grow and so, they have to constantly chew to keep them filed down. Hard items, such as concrete, stone, and metal are especially useful as they help keep the teeth shorter. Like mice, Norway rats will eat anything they come across. Unlike mice, storing food properly will not necessarily keep Norway rats at bay because they will simply chew through the container, eating the storage method and the food inside.
Our Pest Control Experts in Texas can Help with Your Rodent Problem
If you have seen rodents in your home, or you suspect you have an infestation, our Texas pest control experts at Stride Pest Control are here to help. We know how to identify the type of rodent you are dealing with and how they are entering the home. We will then use our effective solutions to eliminate the infestation and provide professional advice on how to keep it from recurring, so you can enjoy your home once again. Call our Austin office at (512) 777-1339 or our San Antonio location at (210) 547-8410 to request a quote and to learn more about how we can help.