Rodent Identification & Prevention

Rodents are a type of mammal, identified by its front incisors on the top and bottom jaws that grow continuously throughout their life. To prevent their teeth from overgrowing and to keep them sharp, rodents chew on almost anything they come across. Rodents live throughout much of the world and are common invaders of our homes and businesses, taking advantage of any food or shelter they offer.



Rodents are an important part of the ecosystem because they act as prey animals for a lot of predators. However, when they decide to take over our properties, they are unwanted pests that require fast action to control and eliminate from our home and yard. Common species of rodents that live and invade properties in our area include the house mouse, roof rat, and Norway rat.

Rodents are more than just annoying or even destructive pests; they are dangerous pests. The leading cause for concern when it comes to rodents is the number of harmful diseases they can spread. As they move throughout your home, traveling across counters, floors, sink areas, cabinets, and drawers and feeding on our food, they are spreading disease-causing pathogens.



In addition to the health risks rodents pose, don't forget about the damage they can cause to our home and personal belongings. Rodents chew on and damage things in our homes like wires, cables, pipes, drywall, flooring, furniture, boxes, and more.

Rodents are not a species of animal that hibernates, though they do look for warm, secluded shelter to spend the winter. Our homes often provide them with a place to nest that is safe and near sources of food.

Rodents are adaptable creatures and can become a problem in any home or business, as well as any urban, suburban, or rural area. Things that attract rodents to any property are sources of food they can gather from open containers of trash or compost, pet food, outdoor eating areas, fruit trees, and gardens.

Rodents are prey animals and prefer to live in secluded areas out of sight. Outside, they like to live in areas of tall grass or dense vegetation, under logs, woodpiles, or fallen trees, or in the abandoned burrows of other small animals. Some rodents, such as the roof rat, prefer to nest up off of the ground. You'll find them nesting in trees or on roofs.

When rodents find their way into our homes or commercial properties, they retreat to quiet, dark areas like basements, the backs of closets, behind cabinets and large appliances, behind walls voids, and inside attic spaces.

Signs that rodents leave behind and alert you to their presence include the following:

• Droppings that look like small grains of rice
• Teeth marks on furniture, boxes, floors, and baseboards
• An unpleasant musty smell around their nesting sites
• Hearing rodents move about above ceilings or behind walls, usually at night

For a long-term solution to ridding your North Carolina property of rodents, it is best to partner with a professional. At Ray's Pest Control & Wildlife Removal, we work closely with our customers to learn about the specific pest problems they have been experiencing. Our pest experts provide our customers with the highest quality service to solve their current pest problem and keep them from returning. Since 1972 our family has been helping the families in the Winston-Salem, and surrounding areas maintain pest-free properties.

If you are experiencing problems with rodents, reach out to Ray's Pest Control and learn about our effective rodent control solutions. For more information about our residential or commercial pest control programs, call us today!

Don't leave whether or not rodents invade your property up to chance; partner with Ray's Pest Control and implement the following rodent prevention tips:

Eliminate access to your home . Cut shrubbery and tree branches away from your exterior walls. Seal up cracks and other openings in the foundation and walls of your home. Put caps on chimneys and repair roof damage. Place door sweeps on exterior doors and covers over vents and drains. Use expandable foam to seal openings around wires, pipes, and cables entering your home.

Remove access to food . Keep tight-fitting lids on trash cans and recycling bins, and maintain compost areas. Keep outdoor eating areas free of food debris. Pick up uneaten pet food to prevent rodents from feeding on it during the overnight hours. Harvest fruits and vegetables from garden areas on a regular basis. Inside, be sure to keep your family's food stored either in the fridge or containers with locking lids. Limit the spread of crumbs throughout your home by only allowing food in the kitchen and dining areas. Regularly vacuum, wipe down counters, and clean behind large appliances.

Reduce hiding places. Keep storage areas free of clutter. Closets, basement, and attics areas should all be well-organized. Store personal belongings in plastic containers with locking lids instead of cardboard boxes that rodents can get into.