Common Rodents to Lookout for this Winter

Common Rodents to Lookout for this Winter

Jan 26, 2023 | Florida Pest Control, Pest Control

Common South Florida Rodents: How to Prevent

We don’t often see temperatures below freezing in Cape Coral, but we do experience colder months. While it’s a nice break from the humid weather, unfortunately, it can bring unwanted pests into our homes. Rodents are looking for a warm place to inhabit and search for a food source. If these pests get inside, they can cause significant damage, such as chewed wires, damaged insulation, and risk of disease. Check out our list of common rodents in your area and how you can prevent them from entering your home.

House Mouse

The house mouse prefers dark, secluded areas in your home, such as the crawl space, basement, or attic. These creatures can adapt very quickly to human environments, often hiding in household clutter and inside the walls of homes. Since they are skilled climbers and are able to jump a foot high, they will often reach isolated areas inside your home.

Norway Rats

One of the largest rodent species, Norway rats are nocturnal creatures, searching for food sources in garbage cans at night. You can often spot these creatures burrowing in areas that go undisturbed for a long time, such as crawlspaces and basements. Once inside, these creatures are known to gnaw on furniture, walls, plastic, lead pipes, and wires.

Roof Rats

Due to their padded feet, roof rats can easily climb up our homes, infesting our attics, eaves, and roof lines. Living in colonies, they will typically stay together in a familiar area instead of exploring new ones. If an area is providing both food and shelter, these rats will stay close or inhabit the area.

Preventing Rodents in Cape Coral

Rodents can adapt to almost any situation, making it more difficult to get rid of them. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to help deter these creatures away from your home.

To keep rodents out this winter, utilize these rodent prevention tips:

  • Empty your garbage regularly, utilizing a tight lid or lock
  • Utilize screens on vents, chimneys, windows, and doors
  • Keep your home decluttered and clean, wiping up any spills or crumbs immediately
  • Avoid leaving your pet food outside overnight
  • Keep piles of wood elevated off the ground and placed at least 20 feet away from your home
  • Check for sources of moisture throughout your home and eliminate them as soon as possible
  • Reach out to your local professional South Florida pest control company to help remove and prevent them in the future
Top 3 Common Florida Rodents

Top 3 Common Florida Rodents

Jul 5, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Wildlife

South Florida Rodent Control

While rodents are known to infest during the winter months that doesn’t mean they won’t sneak into your Florida home during the summer months. Once inside, rodents can cause significant damage to your home, including destroying insulation, chewing electrical wires, and leaving their droppings behind. Every homeowner should be aware of the types of rodents popular to their area and how to prevent them from infesting.

Norway Rats

Norway rats are larger rats with hairless tails and grey coloring. These rats tend to be ground dwellers, meaning they like to habitat in sewers or burrows, especially within the coastal communities in Florida. You can usually find their nests near homes or businesses, as they will forage for food in open garbage cans. These rats find their way inside through entry points close to the ground, such as your indoor plumbing drain system. Once infested, a female Norway rat will produce tons of offspring, growing an infestation very quickly!

Roof Rats

Smaller than Norway rats, a roof rat can weigh a half a pound or less! These rats are usually identified by their tail as it is longer than the distance of their body. Because of their slender body and longer tail, they are great at climbing, utilizing this skill to climb onto roofs through trees, shrubs, or power lines, typically nesting in the attics. These rats tend to stay in a familiar area, avoiding exploration. If an area provides shelter and a food source, they will stay close or habitat there.

House Mouse

Ranging from 5 to 7 inches in length, a house mouse has a long, rough tail with light brown to black coloring. These creatures are also known to be great climbers with a keen sense of hearing, touch, taste, and smell! The house mouse is known to live around homes, farms, and businesses. When they find a food source, they will establish a territory 10 to 30 feet in size. If they infest a home, they will gnaw on surfaces to wear them down, causing extensive damage and contamination.

If you have a rodent infestation or want to get on top of rodent prevention, reach out to your South Florida wildlife control company for a Rodent Control Inspection and Estimate.

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