The two main home-invading species of rodents are mice and rats, and they can both cause similar issues and even look rather alike. However, there are some key differences between them. While both are prevalent, it’s rare to have an infestation of both at the same time. You can use this guide to tell the two apart.
Mice are smaller than rats, and they have brownish-grey fur with light tan underbellies. They have triangular faces and long, thin tails, and their eyes and ears are proportionally large. Rats, on the other hand, have blunter faces and thick, scaly tails. They have somewhat smaller eyes and ears in proportion to their bodies, and they can range from brown-grey to black depending on the species.
Are Rodents Destructive?
Mice and rats, just like many other rodent species, have incisors that constantly grow. Because of this, they have a continuous need to chew in order to grind their teeth down.
This need means that they will gnaw on nearly anything they can get their mouths on including clothing, wiring, pipes, flooring, and much more. This can lead to a lot of property damage that costs a good deal of money to replace. And, if they destroy electrical wires or plumbing, it can be very expensive and even pose significant safety risks.
For these reasons, rodents are considered one of the worst pests, second to only termites and carpenter ants for property damage.
Why Are Rodents Dangerous?
Dealing with extensive property damage is frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive, but the even worse problem with rodents is that they pose many health risks. So, while many pests in the area are relatively harmless, rodents definitely are not.
Of course, not all rodent infestations are going to lead to health issues, but the risks are always there. And, the longer the infestation remains and the larger it grows, the higher the chances of having negative health side effects.
The following are some of the health problems that both rats and mice can cause:
- Both mice and rats can spread many diseases including hantavirus, rat-scratch fever, and salmonellosis.
- Also, even rodent feces, urine, and droppings can make you sick.
- They can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
- Rodent droppings can build up over time inside of walls and lead to respiratory issues.
- These rodents can also carry fleas and ticks and introduce them into your home. These parasites carry and spread even more illnesses such as the Bubonic plague, tularemia, and Lyme disease.
Young children, the immunocompromised, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the impacts of a rodent infestation.
What Is The Safest Way To Handle Rodent Infestations?
The easiest, safest, and most effective way to both prevent and remove mice and rats is through help from the professionals at Guaranteed Pest Service Of Oklahoma.
Our expert technicians provide ongoing residential and commercial pest control programs that will keep rodents from getting into your home or business. And, we can also remove any current rodent problems.
Contact us today at (405) 873-6692 to find out more or schedule an appointment. We guarantee results!
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