Rodent Pest Control Howard County
Dealing with Mice and Rats
From Baltimore, MD’s Pest Management Experts
Mice and rats are pests common to homes and businesses across Maryland. Due to their size and quickness, they can enter a home, nest, and live undetected for weeks before homeowners take notice. Here at All Star Pest Management, we’ve put together a short guide on mouse and rat infestations designed to help identify and prevent rodent intruders in your home or business. We also offer humane trapping and extermination services for existing rodent infestations. Read on to learn more about mice and rats, and contact our pest experts today!
Mice
Mice are small rodents characterized by a pointed snout, rounded ears, short hair, and a hairless tail. There are several subgenres of mice belonging to the Genus Mus, including the common house mouse, white-footed mouse, and deer mouse, all native to Maryland. Mice are prolific breeders and are considered vermin in the U.S. due to their widespread crop consumption, structural damage, and diseasing-spreading. Mice can carry diseases such as Hantavirus, which may lead to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
I had a fantastic experience with All-Star Pest Management. When I found out I had a rodent problem, I called them on a Saturday, and they were able to come out within a couple of hours. The technician was super helpful, professional, and knowledgeable. I was really impressed with how thorough they were they also took all COVID precautions. They came back to check on the problem two subsequent times, free of charge. I will definitely be using them again for future maintenance and recommend them to others!
Rats
Rats are small to medium-sized rodents that, along with mice, belong to the superfamily Muroidea. While true rats belong to the genus Rattus, the common distinguishing trait between a rat and a mouse is size, with several members of the Genus Mus (including the pack rat and cotton mouse) commonly referred to as rats. Rats are omnivorous and may carry a large number of zoonotic pathogens such as the bubonic plague, Lassa fever, leptospirosis, and Hantavirus infection.
Identifying an Infestation
As small and resilient mammals, mice and rats can often make their way into homes and businesses and build nests in walls, drawers, cupboards, and other spaces. There are several telltale signs of a mouse or rat infestations, including:
- Small droppings around food packages, under the sink, or in drawers/cupboards
- Nesting material such as shredded paper, fabric, or grass
- Chewing marks on food packages
- Small holes in walls and floors (these are typically entry points for mice and rats)
- Stale smells
Prevention Tips
To prevent mice and rats from entering your home or business, it is important to make sure that all holes, cracks, and other potential entry points into your building are totally sealed off. It is also highly advisable to cover and/or remove food sources around your house (both inside and outside). Cover trash cans and be sure to turn compost piles over to hide new food scraps.
Comprehensive Rodent Control at All Star Pest Management
If you believe you may have a mouse or rat problem in your building, our pest experts at All Star Pest Management are the ones to call. We offer highly-effective and humane rodent-identification and trapping solutions for homes and businesses across Columbia, MD. To learn more about our services, contact our team today!