Rodent Control: A Complete Identification And Control Guide For Yakima County Homes

In our area, we have three common types of rodents. Do you know what they are? You will after you read this quick and helpful guide! We'll examine these common rodents, essential facts about each, four simple exclusion tips, and the secret to stress-free rodent control. If you've ever wondered how to get rid of rodents in your yard or how to keep rodents away from your home, you should find what you're looking for here.

Before we start, we want to remind you that help is available if you would rather have a licensed pest control technician evaluate your rodent problem and provide treatment options for an indoor or outdoor infestation. Prosite is your source for effective rodent pest control in Yakima County.

Common Types Of Home-Invading Rodents In Yakima County

There are a variety of rodents in our Yakima County service area. Most don't prefer to invade your home. For example, you won't likely contact us regarding a beaver infestation. 

While beavers, mice, and rats are all rodents, beavers can't find a suitable habitat inside a home. However, rats can find a suitable environment in the marshes and ponds where beavers live. Rats can tread water for as many as three days and hold their breath for at least three minutes underwater. These abilities, and their love of water, have earned one rat species the title of wharf rat and sewer rat. We'll explain why this is important in a minute. 

While rodents can live in damp or dry environments, the few that tolerate dry conditions are the worst pests because our houses are dry. Let's look at the three common home-invading rodents in our area and a few facts about each that will help you with identification and control. 

• House Mouse: These tiny rodents are typically dusty gray with cream-colored bellies. They range from 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 inches long. That length does not include the tail. The tail of a mouse is about the same length as the body. You'll have trouble controlling house mice because they prefer the interior of your home, even though it is dry. They also don't need as much food as rats. They can live off the crumbs that fall from your table. Literally 
• Norway Rat: These big rodents are typically brown with a white belly. They are as long as 18 inches if you count the tail length. When you see one of these brown rats in your yard, it might startle you. These rats, also called wharf or sewer rats, often create burrows in the soil and go in and out of structures. They don't prefer your dry home. But, under the right conditions, they'll move in and stay with you, such as when cold weather comes.   
• Roof Rat: A roof rat is smaller than a Norway rat and typically has black fur. It ranges from 6 to 8 inches in length, with a tail between 7 to 10 inches. So, you may see a 16-inch roof rat, but most of it is tail length. These rats, also called house rats, do well inside your home. They are particularly fond of your attic, which feels like a giant tree hole to these rodents. They'll prefer your attic to the tree holes they find in nature because it is warm, safe, and near potential food sources. 

In addition to these types of rodents, we also see deer mice, white-footed mice, and wood rats in the region. Luckily, these rodents are less likely to invade your home and more likely to cause problems around your yard. However, you should still be aware of these rodents in the event you start seeing their activity around your property. Check out our Pest Library for more information about the different rodents that call Yakima County home. 

Now that you know a little about the common rodents in Yakima County, let's quickly discuss what they do inside homes. Rodent control is a chore, and knowing how rodents impact your health is motivation to do the work - or hire someone to do it for you. 

The Dangerous Diseases Rodents Are Known To Spread

It is not good to have rodents in your home. They pick up harmful microorganisms when they explore unsanitary environments. They bring these disease-causing organisms into your home. They also leave waste material and cause contamination when they touch things with their fur. Here are some diseases rats and mice are known to spread.

• Rats: Depending on the species, rats may spread leptospirosis, tularemia, rat-bite fever, cowpox, trichinosis, salmonellosis, jaundice, and more.
• Mice: Depending on the species, mice may spread lymphocytic choriomeningitis, Hantavirus, stomach ailments, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), allergens, and more.

Along with these diseases, rats and mice present other dangers. They pick up ticks and fleas, which are associated with human disease transmission. They chew on wires inside structures and present a fire hazard. While rare, rats may bite dogs, cats, or humans. 

While rodent control is hard work, it is well worth doing. There are many ways rodents can harm your health and damage your property. Let's shift gears now and look at how to keep rodents out.