The Secret To The Most Successful Rodent Control For Your West Chester Home

If you're a West Chester resident, you may have noticed an increase in the rodent population over the past few years. And if you're like most people, you probably don't want these furry pests living in your home rent-free. Masters Touch Pest Solutions will go over everything you need to know about house rodents in West Chester: what signs to look for, whether they can make you sick, how to safely get rid of them, and how to keep them away for good with West Chester pest control.
 
What animals are considered rodents? There are plenty of indoor and outdoor rodents in Pennsylvania, but the ones most likely to invade your West Chester home are mice and rats. 
 
Here’s what local residents should know about which rodents you need to watch out for, how rodents spread disease and cause damage, four practical ways to exclude them from your home, and the most effective way to get rid of rodents with pest control in West Chester. 

Common Types Of Rodents That Invade West Chester Homes

While West Chester is home to plenty of different rodents, you’re most likely to encounter one of three types in your home. 

• House Mice: Usually growing up to four inches long (not including their tail), the average house mouse has a long tail, beady eyes, and large ears. Their coloring can range from brown-gray to dark gray, but you can also recognize a house mouse by its cream-colored underbelly. 
• Roof Rats: While their bodies can grow up to eight inches in length, roof rats have tails that are just as long, making them around sixteen inches in total. You may also hear roof rats called black rats or ship rats, and they typically have dark coloring with lighter underbellies. Their name comes from the way these rats climb through trees and hop onto homes. This rodent’s lean, agile form means they’re an excellent climber, and their favorite way to enter homes is through loose shingles in your roof or even an open chimney. 
• Norway Rats: Norway rats, or brown rats, aren’t quite as agile as roof rats, so it’s unlikely that you’ll find these rodents climbing anything. These rats are much stockier and usually grow slightly bigger than roof rats. Their bodies may grow to nine inches, but their long tails can easily add another six to eight inches to their total length. 

Since they aren’t great climbers, Norway rats prefer to dig tunnels and burrows and enter your home through the ground floor. 

Rodents Around Your Home Can Spread Disease And Cause Damage

• Rodents can be scary to encounter, but are they dangerous? Yes, rodents can be both dangerous and destructive, and here’s how: 
• Rodents are often infested with parasites, like ticks, mites, and fleas, which can they bring into your home and spread to your family and pets.
• Rodents are notorious for spreading and transmitting various diseases, including hantavirus, tularemia, and salmonella.
• Rodents won’t hesitate to chew through your walls or insulation, especially if they’re trying to get into your home or they’re building a nest.
• Rodents will usually flee before they fight, but in rare cases, they may scratch or bite a pet or family member if they feel threatened. Rat bites carry the risk of rat-bite fever.

Yes, most kinds of rodents can transmit diseases to humans through their saliva, urine, or droppings. Some of the diseases that rodents can transmit to humans include:

• Hantavirus: This virus is found in the urine and droppings of some rodents, and it can be deadly if inhaled.
• Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can be transmitted through contact with contaminated water or soil that has been contaminated by rodent urine.
• Rat-bite fever: This bacterial infection can be transmitted to humans through a bite or scratch from an infected rodent.

No matter what type of rodent you may have in your home, these dangerous pests can wreak a lot of havoc and chaos. If you think you may have been exposed to any of these diseases, it's important to see a doctor right away.

Signs Of Rodents In Your Home

One of the first things you'll want to do if you think you have a rodent problem is to look for signs of them. Some common indicators include:

• Droppings: Rodents will leave behind droppings that are small and dark in color. You may find them in cupboards, on countertops, or in other areas where food is present.
• Gnaw marks: All types of rodents have sharp incisors that they use for gnawing on hard surfaces. You may see these marks on food packaging, wood furniture, or electrical wires.
• Footprints and tail drag marks: Take a look around your home for any footprints or drag marks left behind by rodents. These will be most evident in dusty areas like basements or attics.
• Nests: If you find a nest made out of shredded paper or fabric, rodents are likely using it as a home. You may find these nests in dark, hidden places like behind appliances or inside storage boxes.

If you see any of these signs in your home, it's time to take action to get rid of the rodents before the infestation worsens. 

Eight Practical Rodent Exclusion Tips For Around Your Home

While you should always count on the pest control professionals to deal with existing infestations, here are some ways you can make your West Chester home less attractive to rodents: 

1. Don’t leave any food sitting out around your home, and keep leftovers and trash bags completely sealed. 
2. Use a rodent-proof sealant to get rid of cracks and crevices that rodents may try to squeeze through to access your home. 
3. Make sure you fix any leaky pipes or humidity issues causing excess moisture in your home. 
4. Use weatherstripping to get rid of any gaps around doors or windows. Door sweeps are another helpful barrier. 
5. Seal up any cracks or holes on the outside of your home. Rodents can squeeze through very small spaces, so it's important to seal up any cracks or holes that you may have. This includes gaps around doors and windows, as well as any holes in your foundation.
6. Remove sources of food and water. Rodents are attracted to homes that offer them easy access to food and water. Make sure to keep food in tightly sealed containers and repair any leaks that may be providing them with water.
7. Eliminate clutter. Rodents like to nest in cluttered areas, so getting rid of any excess paper or boxes in your home can help deter them.
8. Keep your yard clean. If your yard is full of debris, it's more likely that rodents will find their way into your home. To prevent this, make sure to keep your yard clean and free of any potential nesting materials.

By following these tips, you can help prevent rodents from taking up residence in your West Chester home. But if you do find yourself with a rodent problem, Masters Touch Pest Solutions can help. With years of experience in the industry, we're focused on effective, science-backed solutions that are safe for you and your family. Contact us today; we're here to help you get rid of those pesky rodents for good. 
 
Keeping rodents from entering your home in the first place is always easier than dealing with an active infestation.

The Most Effective Rodent Control For Your Home

If you have rodents in your home, the best way to get rid of them is to call a professional pest control company like Masters Touch. We will safely and effectively remove all rodents from your home and help you prevent them from coming back. 
 
There are a number of store-bought and do-it-yourself solutions for rodents, but the fact of the matter is that most of them are ineffective, and some of them can even be dangerous if not used properly. That's why it's always best to leave it to the professionals when it comes to getting rid of rodents in your home.
 
DIY rodent control – like mouse traps or rat poison – is not effective, but there is one type of rodent control you can count on, and that’s professional care and services from Masters Touch Pest Solutions. Not only can we eradicate any kind of rodent from your home, but we’ll work with you to ensure they don’t make a second appearance. 
 
All our services, including rodent control, include a 100% satisfaction guarantee to ensure we get the job done. So, if you’re spotting signs of rodents around your home or have even seen live rats or mice, we have a solution. Contact us today at Masters Touch Pest Solutions for your free estimate or schedule an inspection of your Sacramento home.