Rodent Control In New Haven County: The Issues With DIY

a rat inside a dark basement
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Hickory, dickory, dock. The mouse ran up the clock - hey, wait, what makes people think this is a cute nursery rhyme? If a mouse is running up your clock, you have rodent problems in your home! Whether it is mice or rats scurrying about your New Haven County home, the damage and diseases they bring with them can change a sweet nursery rhyme into a horror story.

Here’s A Quick Way To Identify Rodents And Their Dangers

Rodents are all over the United States. Several species of mice and rats are in the New Haven County area. To combat rodent infestations, homeowners should be aware of common species in their area.

Three common rodent species in New Haven County are as follows:

  • White-footed mouse: This rodent measures around six to eight inches long if you include their tails. White-footed mice coloring ranges from brown to reddish in the summer and gray in winter. Its sides usually are darker than its head and back and they often have a dark line running down the middle of their back. Their bellies are white, as well as their feet and ankles. Tufts of hair cover their large ears, and they have large brown eyes.
  • House mice: Ranging from two to four inches long, their tails extend an equal length. Their coloring is usually a dusty gray with creamy bellies, but colors can range from light brown to dark gray, depending on where they live. Their noses are pointy, and their ears are covered with large with bits of hair.
  • Norway rat: Growing up to ten inches long with a hairless tail that is typically shorter than its head and body, the Norway rat has coarse fur that is often brown or dark gray with a light gray or brown underbelly. It has a blunt nose and small ears and eyes.

Rodents can be found all over the world, and they can spread over 35 diseases. Diseases and allergic reactions can occur when people handle or come into contact with contact rodent droppings, saliva, or urine. Bites from rodents can also contribute to the spreading of diseases.

Who Else Wants A Better Solution To Rodent Infestations?

Rats and mice commonly infest homes. While any infestation is terrible, you are rarely invaded by both. Whether rats or mice, getting rid of either is difficult.

Six things that make rat or mice removal challenging:

  1. They are everywhere!
  2. They chew through just about anything.
  3. They slip through even the smallest of cracks or holes.
  4. They are intelligent and adaptable.
  5. They are nocturnal.
  6. They breed like crazy.

All this to say that once rodents move in, it takes a lot to successfully get them out.

Here Are Some Reasons DIY Products Fail And Their Dangers

As is typical with the Internet, do-it-yourself methods of rodent control abound. These methods can end up costing money and wasted time and energy. Some do-it-yourself methods are baits, poisons, traps, and repellants. Do-it-yourself methods typically provide short-term fixes that sometimes make the situation worse.

Some issues with do-it-yourself methods include:

  • Baits, poisons, and gases that are dangerous to children and pets.
  • Some traps must go in hazardous areas, such as attics and crawlspaces.
  • Trap effectiveness is costly with short-term efficiency.
  • Various traps are too small to capture some rodents.
  • Handling dead rodents can expose you to diseases.
  • Rodents are intelligent and adaptable and will often learn to avoid these measures.
  • Rodents breed rapidly - catching one or two doesn’t help when they are multiplying exponentially.
  • Ultrasonic repellants can cause people migraines and headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
  • While DIY methods can seem to be effective at first, they rarely take care of the entire population, leading to further problems down the road.

The Best Way To Remove Rodents From Your New Haven County Home

Why spend time and money on do-it-yourself methods that are doomed to fail. Fighting these critters alone can be frustrating and exhausting. Rescue 1 Pest & Termite Control is a family-owned and operated company with over 30 years of experience fighting these pests. Call us today for a free estimate and to learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services, and how we can rid your home of current rodents and protect it from future populations.