Rodents  – Rats & Mice Exterminators

Here in Des Moines, rodent problems are a common pest issue for property owners. The most common rodent pests we deal with include:

1. House mice: Adult house mice range in total size from 5-8 inches in length, including their tail. Their ears are moderately large and their bodies can be light brown to nearly black in color, with a slightly lighter belly. House mouse tails are hairless and as long as the body and head combined.
2. Norway rats: These rats are relatively large. The average adult measures 16 inches in total length from its nose to the end of its tail, and weighs about 12 ounces. The length of the tail is shorter than its body and it is typically grayish brown to black or reddish-brown in color. The Norway rat’s tail is darker on top and more pale underneath. 

Mice and rats alike can squeeze through very small openings to get into your home. This is especially common in the fall and winter months as they enter homes in search of warmth and shelter for the colder season. Getting indoors is easier for them than you may think. Rats in particular are excellent climbers and rats can jump from overhanging trees to access roof lines and attics. Rodents enter homes using gaps around dryer vents, utility pipes, exterior doors, chimneys, and garage doors.

In general, rodents aren’t going to go out of their way to be in contact with you. However, rats and mice can still bite. Rats will bite you if they feel threatened, even going so far to lunge. This defensive bite is rare, but can have serious repercussions. Rat saliva in some species carries dangerous diseases such as leptospirosis and hantavirus. In even more rare circumstances, bite victims may contract rat-bite fever or tetanus infections. Always seek professional medical attention when bit by a rat or mouse.

Rodents are both dangerous and destructive. With their ever-growing incisors, rats and mice are compelled to chew 24/7. This means chewing on wood, wires, insulation, and more right inside your home. Chewed, exposed wires from rodents are especially dangerous as they create a fire hazard inside your walls. Their nesting habits are also messy, not to mention the mess created from their urine and droppings.

Rodents are tied to more than 35 potentially dangerous diseases. Some of these include:

• Hantavirus
• Salmonella
• Lassa fever
• Leptospirosis
• Tularemia
• LCM
• Rat-bite fever
• Plague

To avoid a rodent problem, it’s important to know how they get inside in the first place. Because they can squeeze through such tiny holes, it’s crucial to seal off your property to them. Seal gaps and holes around utility cables, outdoor vents or pipework with steel wool or silicone-based caulk. Remove clutter, keep a clean home,  and use tight-fitting lids on trash bins. Outdoors, pick up fallen fruit, clean up around bird feeders or use a “no-waste bird food”, remove clutter, and ensure trash cans are secure. Learn more >>

Out of all pest problems, it’s easiest to tell when you have a rodent infestation. Rats and mice aren’t very subtle and it won’t take long until you begin to hear (or smell) their activity. Here are some of the main signs of rats and mice:

• Gnaw marks on door corners and walls, or gnawed fruit in trees
• Odd noises or scratching sounds at night in the walls.
• Rat droppings are shiny black and up to 3/4″ long. Mice droppings are smaller with pointed ends.
• Spotting burrows outdoors along foundations, walls or trees is a sign of Norway rat activity.
• Foul odors that are otherwise inexplicable could be due to a rodent problem.

When you have rodents in your property, it’s best to get rid of them in the most effective way possible. The most effective way? Hiring a professional rodent exterminator. DIY methods such as glue or snap traps may work for a smaller rodent problem but will never be enough to control an entire infestation. A rodent control company can ensure all rodents are removed from the property and help protect your property from future infestations as well.