As the weather turns cooler, some pests start to make their presence known more than property owners in Streator would like. The main culprits are rodents. While there are many animals classified as a rodent, the ones most likely to invade the home are rats and mice. People often think they are quite similar, but they are actually quite different.
The breakdown of these two rodents is as follows:
Mice
Traditionally grey in color and only grow up to 3 and 3/4 inches long. They possess a rounded fur-covered body complete with large ears and a long thin tail.
Rats
Their appearance is similar to mice with key differences. They possess much larger jaws and smaller ears. In addition, their tails are thick and scaly and most importantly they can grow up to 16 inches long. They are usually brown in color with black intermixed.
Despite both belonging to the rodent family, you're unlikely to experience both at the same time. They have different nesting habits and rats are territorial to the point of killing mice when food is scarce.
Hidden And Not So Hidden Danger
Whether it's a mouse or a rat, the end result is a danger for Streator property owners. Some of the dangers are obvious and not so hidden when experienced. This generally manifests as property damage. Not only do they scratch up the surfaces they run on, but they are also known to gnaw on everything. Since their teeth never stop growing, they need to chew constantly to wear them down. This translates to holes in the wall, chewed wires, holes in clothing, and other signs of property damage if not addressed.
However, it's the hidden danger that truly makes a rodent infestation a problem for property owners. They are known to spread disease thanks to carrying their own pathogens along with their habits. Some common illnesses associated with rodents are Rat-bite fever, Hantavirus, Bubonic Plague, Salmonella, Tularemia, and more.
In addition to their own pathogens, they're also carriers of fleas, which can bring their own pathogens, which only worsens the conditions. Besides pathogens, the urine and droppings left behind by rodents have been known to make people sick. The bottom line? They need to be removed quickly to limit exposure to the dangers they bring.
You Won't Win With DIY
There are a lot of DIY rodent control options but you won't win against them with these options. As a rule, the DIY methods are targeted on a one-on-one basis. Considering that rodents reproduce rapidly, this is not an effective solution.
Also, rodents are sneaky and possess intelligence. As a whole, they are extremely cautious. That's why professional residential pest control is necessary to address a rodent infestation properly.
Rodent Prevention With Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators
Rodent infestations harm the property and the people within it. At Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators, we know that's unacceptable. That's why our team has developed comprehensive solutions that are designed to be effective while remaining affordable so your rodent infestation will quickly become a thing of the past. With more than 70 years of experience, we've honed our process to perfection ensuring you benefit from the guaranteed results needed to deliver peace of mind.
Are you in need of effective rodent control? Then call or go online to schedule your free inspection and start benefiting from rodent control services provided by our team at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators.