When you think of pests in Tampa, Florida, many creatures might come to mind. You might imagine insects such as ants and wasps or think of creepy spiders. However, rodents are among the most common kinds of home-invading pests in the area and in the United States. And, while they might be smaller than most mammals, they aren't just nuisance pests.
Beyond their similarities in appearance, both mice and rats cause property damage and pose health risks. But, it is rare to have an infestation of both species at the same time. In this article, you'll learn all you need to know about the risks of rodents and what you can do to protect your property.
Identifying Rodents In Tampa
While there are many different rodent species found throughout the world, the two most prevalent in Tampa are mice and rats. These two species have many things in common in behavior and some physical attributes, but they do have some differences, mainly in appearance.
You can identify mice by their brownish grey color, long tails, and triangular-shaped faces. On the other hand, rats are brown to black, have scaly tails, as well as blunter-shaped faces. Mice are also much smaller than rats, but baby rats can be mistaken for mice. When it comes to which is worse, it's a toss-up. Mice can fit into smaller areas and can also reproduce a little more quickly. However, rats are larger, so they can do more damage faster.
Property Damage & Rodents
Rodents have incisors that continually grow, which is a problem for them because their teeth could get too big to fit in their mouths. So, in order to grind their teeth down, they constantly gnaw on all kinds of materials. They have a biological need to do so, and they will chew on anything from pipes and wires to plastic and drywall.
Over time, you could end up spending a lot of money replacing items and repairing the damage around your home. It's common for them to chew through electrical wires and plumbing, and they often ruin baseboards and door frames.
The Health Risks Rodents Pose
Dealing with structural damage and the ruined property is beyond frustrating, but the dangers of rodent-related health problems are even more concerning. Both mice and rats can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks, and their droppings, urine, and feces can cause respiratory issues and make people sick.
They can also spread harmful pathogens that cause diseases such as salmonellosis, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), and tularemia. Rodents also frequently have fleas, and fleas can spread other illnesses such as bartonellosis and tapeworm. Because of these many risks, it's essential to keep rodents out and remove any infestations as soon as you notice them.
What's The Best Way To Deal With Rodent Infestations?
The only effective way to prevent and eliminate rodent infestations around your Tampa property is with help from Bold Servicing's pest control professionals. We make it simple to keep your property safe from these harmful pests by offering home pest control and commercial pest management plans.
Get started today by requesting your free quote online or over the phone!