Rodent Identification

What are rodents?

Rodents are mammals and considered wild animals, but many species enjoy a close relationship with people. Over time they have learned that our lawns, gardens, outdoor eating areas, and homes provide them with easy access to their basic needs. While rodents don’t need people to survive, they also don’t avoid the food, water, and shelter our Phoenix properties provide.

The rodents living in our region that are most likely to make themselves at home on our properties include:

• Roof rats

• Norway rats

• Field mice

• House mice

• Gophers

• Ground squirrels

Are rodents dangerous?

In order to keep their teeth from overgrowing and sharp, rodents are constantly chewing on objects. Their chisel-like front incisors are strong enough to chew through things like siding, concrete, plastic, piping, wires, and more. Rodents can damage the very structures of our homes and are also destructive to our outdoor spaces. Ground squirrels and gophers wreak havoc in our yards and damage our lawns, gardens, and trees. 

Besides the damage rodents cause, They are also considered dangerous because of the health risks they pose. Rodents carry and spread bacteria, human-pathogens, and parasites, and they contaminate food and surfaces. As rodents move around in your  home, they leave behind excrement and shed fur; both can cause allergy symptoms in susceptible people. These pests should not be living in or around our homes.

Why do I have a rodent problem?

Rodents have a high metabolism and are active year-round. They are constantly searching for food, and our properties often provide them with easy access to it. In our yards, rodents are likely to find food in or around:

• Trash cans and compost bins

• Gardens and fruit trees

• Pet food

• Outdoor eating areas and grills

• Bird feeders

Once rodents have discovered food on your property, they will keep returning. Their keen sense of smell or need to find shelter due to unsuitable weather conditions will eventually cause them to move into your house to search for more food or a safe place to nest.

Where will I find rodents?

There are many places that rodents will make themselves at home on our properties. Common factors that help them decide where to live are that their nesting place will keep them hidden from view and that it is difficult to access. Rodents are prey animals, so they prefer to live and nest away from a lot of activity. 

Outside rodents will nest in trees, underground or under foundations, in woodpiles or construction debris, or in areas of dense landscaping or overgrown grass or weeds. 

Mice and rats often find their way into our homes, and when they do, they will nest in dark, quiet areas such as attics, crawl spaces, behind appliances, in wall voids, closets, cabinets, and behind large pieces of furniture. 

Rodents are nocturnal, so when in your home, you will often hear them behind your walls at night or see signs of their presence such as droppings or gnaw marks before you physically see the rodent invaders. Rodents are prolific breeders, so at the first sign of rodents in your home, immediately reach out to a professional!

How do I get rid of rodents?

Keeping rodents off our property is a difficult task to tackle on your own. With decades of experience, you can trust Green Flash Pest Control to rid your California or Arizona property of rodents. We understand how unwelcome these pests are and will take the fast action necessary to eliminate them and provide the regular services needed to keep them from returning. We are a locally-owned, family-based company that takes protecting our community from unwanted pests seriously. Through our wide variety of pest control services, outstanding customer care, and guaranteed solutions, we will take care of your pest control needs!

Get rid of rodents in a flash by giving us a call today and speaking with one of our helpful professionals about our effective rodent exclusion and sanitizing services in San Diego County and Riverside County, CA!

How can I prevent rodents in the future?

Taking the following steps will make your property less attractive to rodents and help you avoid problems with these pests in your home and yard.

• Repair damage to your home’s exterior 
• Make sure weatherstripping is intact around windows and doors.
• Place covers over vents and chimneys and a door sweep on exterior doors. 
• Cut grass and weeds back from your foundation.
• Your property’s trash cans, recycling bins, and compost bins should always have tight-fitting lids.
• Repair areas in your yard that allow standing water to build up and provide rodents with a source of water.
• Keep your grass maintained and cut short.
• Cut tree branches back away from your roof.
• Place metal flashing around the base of tree trunks.
• Keep a clean kitchen and never leave food sitting out on counters or tables.

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.