Rodents are a huge problem for Eureka home and business owners. They spread disease. They destroy property. They devalue homes and commercial buildings. And they’re just plain nasty and unpleasant. There’s pretty much nothing good about getting a rodent infestation. That means you’ll need to do everything you can to keep these pesky pests off your property. Let’s talk about what you need to do.

Common Rodents In Eureka

There are three common rodents endemic to our area: rats, mice, and squirrels. Each of these rodents poses its own problems.

Rats: Of the three common rodents in our area, rats are the least picky. They’ll root through your garbage, drink out of your toilet, and nest just about anywhere in your home (including empty grills, unused cars, chimneys, and other crazy spots). Rats are typically the biggest rodent problem that homeowners can face. They’re bigger and meaner than mice, meaning they leave more droppings and are more likely to bite than their smaller cousins.

Mice: Mice are smaller and meeker than rats, so they may be harder to detect. They’re also pickier than rats, meaning they’re more likely to stick to your pantry over your garbage. You can differentiate between mice and rats mostly based on their size – mice are much smaller than rats. Mice also have proportionately larger ears and smaller faces, and they have more pointed faces than rats.

Squirrels: We have both ground squirrels and tree squirrels here in California, though the differences may not be obvious if you’re looking at these animals from a distance. Squirrels are not as bad as rats and mice. They don’t spread as many diseases, and they tend to live outside, though they can occasionally nest in attics or other areas that don’t see much human traffic. Squirrels don’t really eat anything in your house, but they are attracted to the nuts and seeds your trees produce.

Rodent Prevention

Rodents get into your home through legitimate openings like vents and condensation lines, and they also enter through damage in your home’s exterior like holes in siding or doors and windows that don’t fit. For squirrels, nesting sites can include chimneys, attics, and exterior walls. That means these eight preventative measures need to include exclusion as well as attractant reduction:

1. Seal up all unnecessary openings in your home’s exterior – like cracks and holes – with silicone caulk.

2. Make sure doors and windows fit well in their frames and screens have no damage.

3. Cap chimneys and put anti-rodent mesh over ventilation and condensation openings.

4. Ensure all indoor and outdoor garbage cans are tightly covered.

5. Keep all foods either in the fridge or in airtight, hard plastic containers.

6. Trim branches and shrubs back away from your roof and siding.

7. Clean out gutters and pick up tree litter like acorns and nuts off the ground around your home.

8. Have an ongoing professional service plan.

Rats, mice, and squirrels are some of the toughest pests to get rid of. They all have multiple pups in every litter, and these pups mature into breeders of their own in no time. Traps and poisons are typically ineffective because they just kill a few individuals without doing anything to exclude others. That means these solutions just make room for new rodents after they get rid of the old ones.

Fortunately, there’s a better way. Here at Accurate Termite & Pest Solutions, we’re Humboldt County’s most trusted pest control experts. Our services include thorough inspections, effective treatments, and ongoing service plans so your home stays rodent-free – guaranteed! So give us a call at (707) 682-7637 or visit our contact page to schedule your inspection today.