Winston-Salem is home to several types of rodents. While the pests differ in many ways, they all share one trait - the ability to make your life miserable. If you want to keep your home comfortable and safe, learn the best way to keep rodents out.

What Rodents Live In Winston-Salem?

There are two types of rodents that you are most likely to encounter in your home. First, there's the house mouse. This rodent has a hairy tail and a triangular nose. Usually, it's tan or brown in color. Secondly, there's the rat. It's often smaller than a mouse and has a naked tail. Additionally, it has a blunt nose. While rats can be brown or tan, they can also be black. Fortunately, you're unlikely to find both mice and rats in your home. Once one rodent invades, others tend to stay away. It's very rare for mice and rats to coexist in a home.

Are Rodents Dangerous?

Rodents are noisy and may make your skin crawl. And as much as they are a nuisance, they have many other undesirable traits that make them bad house guests. For one, rodents carry diseases. They urinate and defecate throughout your home. As they do, they leave behind bacteria and pathogens.

Rodents carry some serious diseases that put you and your family in danger. You or your loved ones may become seriously ill as a result of your rodent problem. If anyone in your home is elderly or has a compromised immune system, they are in even more danger of becoming sick.

Rodents also have the ability to cause property damage. If they chew through your electrical wires, they could start a house fire. Even if they don't start a fire, they could cause significant property damage. Their sharp teeth can chew through various building materials.

Why Are Rodents So Hard To Get Rid Of?

What's the problem with one or two rodents? Unfortunately, it's never as simple as having a few rodents. Mice and rats reproduce quickly, doubling and tripling their population in almost no time. The longer you wait to handle the issue, the worse your problem will become.

Another issue is the fact that rodents are highly elusive. Because they are small in size, they can hide in your walls and in other unusual areas. They're also active at night, which makes it difficult to find. If you don't know much about rodent behavior, you'll find it difficult to know where to look for mice and rats.

Many homeowners turn to do-it-yourself methods of rodent removal. But this is a big mistake. Typically, DIY methods are ineffective. Although traps may work to catch some rodents, they don't catch them all. You will need to pick the right bait for the trap, set it in the right place, and hope that you catch every rodent. If you don't catch all the pests, the remaining ones will reproduce and continue to put you at risk.

Work With A Professional

There are some simple steps you can take to deter rodents from coming into your Winston-Salem home. For instance, you could keep your trash cans sealed and maintain a clean home. Another way to deter rodents is to seal up all potential entry points. By using door sweeps and other tools, you can make your home more inaccessible to rodents.

Despite your efforts, mice and rats may be able to find their way into your home. To get the best prevention and elimination of these rodents, you need to work with our team of experienced professionals. For total rodent control, contact the Winston-Salem pest control professionals at Ray's Pest Control today!