Two of the most common species of rodents living in our area include field mice and roof rats:

• Field mice are small rodents. The topside of their body is light to dark reddish-brown. The fur on their underside, legs, and feet is a contrasting white color. Their tail is bi-colored, darker on top, light on the bottom.
• Roof rats have a thin body covered in smooth dark brown or black fur with gray hairs scattered throughout. Their underbelly is a lighter color than the rest of their body. From nose to tail, roof rats grow to between 12-16 inches in length. They have large ears and a scaly tail that is longer than their body. These rats are very agile and are great climbers.

Are rodents dangerous?

Rodents can be very dangerous. They spread disease and bacteria through their saliva, urine, and excrement. Common things that they spread that make people ill include salmonella, E. coli, hantavirus, and rat-bite fever. Additionally, the sharp teeth and chewing habits of rodents cause a lot of damage to structures, including short circuits, fires, and pipe damage. Their teeth can go through wires, pipes, flooring, and drywall like a hot knife through butter.

Why do I have a rodent problem?

Rodents like mice and rats are always looking for ways to make their lives easier. Many species, including roof rats and field mice, have come to learn that our yards and homes provide easy access to food, water, and shelter.

Many rodents do very well in urban areas because people provide them with plenty of access to food. They also live in large numbers in rural areas and the suburbs. Any property is at risk for problems with curious, foraging rodents.

The following things will attract rodents to a property:

• Leaking faucets, fixtures, or hoses
• Trash cans or dumpsters
• Gardens, compost, dense vegetation
• Food stored in kitchens and pantries
• Temperature-controlled shelter

Where will I find rodents?

Rodents take pride in their ability to stay out of sight from people and animals that want to hunt them. Unless living in your home in large numbers, you more than likely won't see them, but you will know that they are present.

Signs of rodents living in your house include:

• Discovering their dark, rice-like droppings in cabinets, drawers, or along the floor.
• Hearing scratching or running sounds behind walls or above ceilings at night.
• Finding food containers with holes chewed through them.
• Discovering wood trim, flooring, drywall, or furniture with gnaw marks.
• Finding grease marks running along walls or furniture from rats.
• Noticing an unpleasant musty odor developing in a certain area or areas of your home.

Common indoor hiding spots for rodents include attics, basements, wall voids, and crawlspaces. They like to choose areas to nest that are close to food and water sources. Spaces near kitchens, pantries, or bathrooms are some of their favorite hiding spots.

How do I get rid of rodents?

The best way to get rid of rodents from your Las Vegas, Nevada area property, is to partner with the local pest control experts at Pest Control Solutions, Inc. We have a deep understanding of the pests that live in our area and how to control and eliminate them.

Our dedicated professionals use "out of the box" thinking to solve current pest problems, and prevent future ones. We take the time to work with our customers and tailor all of our home pest control and commercial pest control services to meet the unique needs of every home and business we serve.

How can I prevent rodents in the future?

The following list of prevention tips will help you to avoid problems with rodents:

• Inspect the foundation and exterior walls of your home, fixing any openings you find to help to block entry points.
• Make sure weather seals under exterior doors, sliding glass doors, or garage doors are intact.
• Keep trash cans, compost bins, and recycling bins away from the outside of your home. Make sure they have tight-fitting lids on them.
• Dense shrubbery provides excellent hiding spots for rodents. Cut back shrubs and bushes from your home's foundation.
• Stop feeding the neighborhood birds. Rodents love to feed on birdseed. Bird feeders often attract rodents to a property.
• After purchasing pet food, remove it from its original box or bag and place it in plastic or metal containers with locking lids.
• Inside your home, keep floors and counters clear of crumbs.

For more information about our proactive residential or commercial rodent control services, contact us at Pest Control Solutions, Inc. today!