Are You Struggling To Deal With Rodents Inside Your Franklin Home?

Types Of Rodents That Invade Franklin Homes

Because of the state’s hot summers and short winters, there is no low season for rodents in Tennessee. Drive by feed stores, garbage cans, and any area with decomposing food; you will probably see a few of them. You can find the following types of rodents in Franklin year-round: 

• Squirrels and chipmunks: These rodents prefer to be outdoors but can find themselves indoors while looking for food or shelter. You will most often find them in attics. Squirrels are noisy and often cause quite a ruckus, unlike smaller rodents like mice. They can be aggressive, especially if they are defending a nest. While squirrels and chipmunks are not considered as dangerous as rats, it is best to reach out to a pest control company to get rid of them.
• Mice: House mice are prevalent in Franklin homes because they don’t need much to come in. A crack in a wall or a gap under a door is often all they need, and because they are good swimmers, they might also go in through pipes. These furry little critters may not seem like a big deal compared to rats or hornets, but they multiply rapidly. They can transmit dangerous diseases by contaminating food and surfaces and destroying anything from clothes to walls and electrical wires.
• Rats: Various types of rats can invade Franklin homes, including the roof rat, the deer rat, and the Norway rat. They are all prevalent in the area and are sometimes called house rats. Norway rats tend to be brown, are between seven and ten inches, and have a tail shorter than their body and small ears. Roof rats, however, tend to be much darker in color and rarely exceed fourteen inches in total length. Deer mice are the smallest groups and are generally no more than five to eight inches long. They have white bellies and feet. All three types of rats are attracted to food, garbage, moisture, and warmth.

If you have spotted one of these invaders inside your home, it is time to learn why they can be dangerous.

How Dangerous Is It To Have Rodents On My Property?

Your first instinct when spotting a rodent like a single tiny mouse might be to set a trap and hope that it will take care of the problem. Unfortunately, it is more likely to cause the existing infestation to grow bigger and create significant problems like the following:

• Transmission of pathogens: Rodents can transmit various dangerous diseases by contaminating your surfaces and food supply. You can get sick from their feces, urine, and saliva and from breathing contaminated air. Some illnesses you can get from rodents include the hantavirus, leptospira, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, tularemia, E. Coli, and salmonella.
• Injuries: Rodents can become aggressive if they think their nest is in danger. They might lunge, bite, and in the process, transmit many of the dangerous diseases listed above. It is best to avoid rodents and let a pest control company deal with the infestation.
• Property damage: Rodents can cause various problems, from chewing through walls and electrical wires to messing up paperwork, digging out insulation, and damaging plastic containers. When dealing with an infestation, the cost of repairs is often bound to be higher than the actual cost of getting rid of it.
• Allergic reactions: Rodent dander and feces can make allergic reactions significantly worse. They can also cause asthma attacks. Rodents can contaminate the air and spread allergens very effectively. If you are dealing with an infestation, simply cleaning your home will not be enough to prevent health problems.

Do not let these invasive animals disrupt the peace, contaminate your food, and destroy your property. Instead, read on to find out how our service team members can help you exterminate them effectively.

The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Rodents In Your Home

The best way to get rid of different types of rodents is to work with a pest control company that can end the infestation before it has a chance to make your household sick. After successfully exterminating it, effective prevention practices and other natural ways to eliminate rodents will help keep them out of your home year-round. Strategies often include closing off common access points like cracks in walls and foundations, repairing damaged roofs, eliminating gaps under doors, and fixing pipes and drains. Licensed service professionals can show you which materials are best to deter rodents, from caulk to steel wool and more. Because rodents are attracted to moisture, fixing leaks, removing stagnant water sources in the yard and indoors, and ensuring pipes are not clogged are also essential. You will also want to store food away in sturdy containers and put away leftovers as soon as possible, as prepared food is a significant factor in rodent infestations. Cookies, cakes, nuts and seeds, and pet food are some of the most common offenders. Likewise, trash cans need to be emptied regularly, wiped clean, and have tight-fitting lids. It is best to keep garbage out of your house as much as possible. And finally, to prevent squirrels and roof rats from taking over, you must keep trees and shrubs trimmed and kept as far away from the structure of your home as possible. Overhanging branches are an easy way for squirrels, chipmunks, and roof rats to enter. Remember that rodents reproduce exceptionally quickly and exponentially. One single female can birth ten litters a year, each containing an average of four offspring. It takes less than two months for the litter to reach sexual maturity. If basic prevention isn’t enough, it is time to reach out to the pros before your rodent problem gets out of hand.

Contact The Pros At The First Sign Of Rodents In Your Home

Rodents are a problem in city and country homes, and prevention practices are not always enough to keep them away. Whether you are dealing with just a few rodents or an infestation, we can help. Contact us today to request your free home evaluation, and let’s get started. At All-American Pest Control, we pride ourselves in providing high-quality service and have been helping families keep their homes pest-free since 1961. We are local and family-owned and source the best environmentally friendly and highly effective products. We offer a variety of plans covering over 40 pests, including wood-destroying invaders. Our service team members will thoroughly inspect your property to find out where rodents are coming in and what is keeping them around. Control methods might include tamper-resistant traps and ongoing removal, Integrated Pest Management, baits, field-tested techniques, and more. Rodent control can be lengthy and will likely not be done overnight. Still, the earlier we start, the sooner you can enjoy a rodent-free home again. Our services are easy to schedule, and our team members are punctual and dedicated. We also provide free assistance in between treatments. Let’s get started today and put your rodent problem behind you.

Rodents are common pests, but there is no reason why you need to live with them in your home. While they may seem cute and furry to some, rodents are hazardous to have in your home. They can transmit many dangerous diseases by scuttering around your kitchen counters and various surfaces and invading your food supply. They are also known for causing property damage by chewing through wooden structures, electrical wires, and walls. Don’t wait for them to reproduce more, and get rid of them today with safe and effective rodent control in Franklin.

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