Rodent Identification & Prevention

Rodents are warm-blooded animals that vary in size from teeny tiny (a few ounces) to quite large (more than 150 pounds). What all rodents living here in Maryland and worldwide have in common are their front incisors which grow continuously throughout their life. They use these chisel-like teeth for many things, including feeding, gnawing, gathering nesting materials, and defending themselves from predators.

Mice and rats are two types of rodents that most people are familiar with both from TV shows, movies, and books and because they are among the most common pest invaders of homes and businesses in the Gaithersburg area!

Rodents pose significant dangers to both people and our properties. Worldwide, mice and rats spread more than 35 diseases. People can become sick with the illnesses that rodents spread by directly handling them or coming into contact with their excrement, urine, or saliva. Rodents contaminate surfaces and food with the bacteria and pathogens that make us ill when they get into our homes.

Not only do rodents spread diseases, but they also are destructive. To stop their teeth from overgrowing, they gnaw on objects they come across, and when they get into our homes, they damage structural elements and chew through wires, cables, floors, cabinets, and walls. They will also chew holes and damage clothing, shoes, bedding, and upholstered furniture.

It is not uncommon for a rodent infestation to be the root cause of short circuits, fires, and leaky pipes. You should never underestimate the problems rodents and their teeth cause.

The good news when it comes to rodents is that you usually won’t have an infestation of both rats and mice at the same time; it will be one or the other. The reason a mouse or rat has found their way to your property is that they know it can provide them with access to multiple food and water sources and places to hide.

Both rats and mice are prey animals and do their best to keep away from people and larger animal predators, including your family’s cat! A rodent infestation can remain hidden for some time because they are experts at hiding. Signs that typically indicate a rodent infestation include:

• A stale, musty odor in your home that suddenly pops up.
• Rodent droppings on the floor along walls, in cupboards, and under sinks.
• Nesting materials such as shredded paper and fabric around walls or in cabinets or storage boxes.
• Small holes in food packaging or cabinets that look like gnawing teeth made them.
• Grease or dirt marks along walls.

As soon as you think rodents have found their way onto your Maryland property, reach out to us for professional help. The sooner we eradicate the rodents, the better!

Where rodents prefer to live does depend on their species, but what all rodents have in common is that they like to build their nesting sites in sheltered locations that keep them safe from the elements and nosy predators.

Norway rats prefer to live at ground level, and when they are outside, they like to burrow under things like construction debris, woodpiles, and dense landscaping. Inside our homes, they nest at ground level behind walls, in crawl spaces, and under clutter.

Roof rats are small, agile rodents that are excellent climbers. They like to build nests up off the ground in trees, shrubs, and roof eaves. Inside they like to nest in attics, the tops of cabinets, and behind wall voids.

House mice and field mice both regularly find their way into our homes. Field mice are most common in the homes located in rural areas near fields, meadows, and other large open areas. House mice are known to develop large populations in more urban areas and suburban areas where there is plenty of food and shelter for them to thrive.

If you are looking for a long-term solution to keep rodents away from your Maryland property, Absolute Home and Pest Solutions has what you are looking for! We will work with you to remove rodents from your property and complete the exclusion work necessary to stop them from returning. With over 20 years of experience, we know that rodent control in Gaithersburg doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution, which is why we customize pest control plans for each of our customers! To learn all the benefits of choosing Absolute Home and Pest Solutions to solve your rodent problems, give us a call today!

Use the following suggestion to help keep rodents from taking over your Maryland property:

• Clear away anything that could provide rodents with cover like leaf piles, woodpiles, construction debris, fallen trees.
• Secure potential food sources by keeping lids on trash cans, recycling bins, and compost bins.
• Remove things like bird feeders, uneaten pet food, and leftover food from outdoor eating areas to stop them from foraging for food in your yard.
• Keep the grass in your yard cut short and regularly cut back and prune shrubs and bushes.
• Seal gaps around water pipes, utility lines, vents, crawl space access, and doors. Use a material that can stand up to their sharp teeth like steel wool, sheet metal, galvanized hardware cloth.
• Maintain a clean kitchen, regularly vacuum your home, and store your family’s food safely in the fridge or airtight containers.

For homeowners looking for the best protection against rodents and other common household pests, Absolute Home and Pest Solutions is your pest control answer! You can also read our blog for more information "Gaithersburg Homeowners' Complete Guide To Effective Rodent Control".