How does Red Carpet control mice?.. 1
What are some signs of mice?.. 2
What are signs I may have rats?.. 5
What does it take to get rid of rodents?.. 7
How soon can you get here?.. 7
How can I prevent a future infestation?.. 8
How does Red Carpet Control mice?
At Red Carpet pest control, we know that a rodent infestation is the last thing you want to deal with, which is why we created our rodent control strategy, giving us the ability to efficiently and safely take care of your rodent problem.
Our strategy involves use of a wide range of traps, snap traps, various catch traps and glue traps. Trapping is an absolute necessity in commercial settings, but many homeowners choose to use baits and track powders in residential settings. This strategy involves placing tracking powders in inaccessible areas, those frequented by mice. When mice walk through the tracking powder and then groom themselves, they ingest the active ingredient, which is combined in low levels with a talc powder base.
One of our rodent exterminators will treat the main points of infestation with bait and mechanical traps, effectively exterminating and eliminating the infestation. It is recommended that this process gets a follow-up visit one week later, and additional follow-ups depending on the severity of the infestation.
Beyond eliminating the rodents, we take the next steps, excluding rodents from your home so that your problem will not only be resolved but will stay resolved.
Overview
Mice are bothersome and costly, because they contaminate a great deal of food for humans. They have relatively large ears and small black eyes. They are usually gray or light brown. Mice weigh about ½ of an ounce, and they are five to seven inches in length. Their tail adds an additional three to four inches to that length. Mice are characterized by a musky odor, and they are often active at night.
At Red Carpet Pest Control, we are committed to the fundamental philosophy that when each of us makes small changes in our everyday lives, we can make a positive impact on the environment, our own health, and most importantly, leave a healthier planet for future generations. How we deal with pest control issues is just one piece in that overall puzzle, but it can be an important piece.
House mice are the most commonly encountered mice indoors in NY and CT. And they don’t carry door keys, but they can freely enter any residence in New York City, from low-rent studios to penthouse suites.
A yearlong assessment of the city’s residential mouse population found that what many of these rodents do carry are previously unseen viruses as well as bacteria capable of causing life-threatening human illness. Some of the bacteria were even antibiotic-resistant.
Do you have mice or rats living in your New York home? Get back your peace of mind by calling a trusted, experienced exterminator at Red Carpet Pest Control. With our rodent control system, you can ensure that your problem will be gone for good.
What are some signs of mice?
Because they are so much smaller than rats, mice can be harder to detect, thus they can do a lot of damage before they’re ever noticed. As a result, having a mice control program in place will help your business mitigate several important risks.
Signs of mice infestation include droppings, gnawed plastic or furniture, tracks and rodent sightings. House mice also emit musky odors. These signs help homeowners to identify nesting areas. Mouse nests are made from shredded fibers and other found materials. They are common in undisturbed areas such as shoeboxes and storage crates.
You may never see a mouse unless an infestation is severe. Look for signs of mouse infestation:
- Rodent droppings around food packages, in drawers or cupboards, and under the sink.
- Nesting material such as shredded paper, fabric, or dried plant matter.
- Signs of chewing on food packaging.
- Holes chewed through walls and floors that create entry points into the home.
- Stale smells coming from hidden areas.
Although they primarily consume grains, oats and corn, mice are known to feed on many different foods available to them. When food is plentiful, infestations may cause many months of damage at a time. Even small populations can cause considerable damage, so it is important to recognize an infestation as early as possible. Even those crops that are not fed upon by mice tend to become contaminated with mouse droppings, urine and saliva. The excrement of a number of species spreads diseases to humans and animals. Mice are excellent climbers, adept jumpers and are capable of fitting through openings much smaller than their bodies.
How are they harmful?
One female mouse can produce as many as 10 litters in one year. Moreover, young ones are born within 20 days after mating and are capable of reproduction within two months. The normal life span of the mouse is between nine months and one year. As such, mouse infestations grow rapidly and prove extremely difficult to exterminate. Cleanliness, mouse proofing and professional, customized pest control methods are often all necessary.
The fact is a number of serious illnesses and health risks have been traced back and attributed to mice. Rats, too, but when it comes to mammals, the second most populous ones outside of humans are mice.
The problem is mice make a huge mess. In order to mark a place as their own, they start to urinate and defecate all over the place. It is messy and nasty, to be sure, but mice waste also carries a number of known pathogens that can be very serious and lead to health problems. For example:
Hantavirus – this is most often found in deer mice. Found in rodent urine and feces, the virus can be transmitted to humans if they come into contact with either of those substances. What’s more, mouse feces and urine can dry and turn into a dust and that can carry the virus as well. Hantavirus starts like so many other illnesses with a fever and chills, combined with aches and pains. However, if not treated, it can quickly turn more serious and lead to shortness of breath and kidney-failure which can lead to death.
Salmonella – because rodents like mice go looking for food, and will eat just about anything they can get their tiny paw and sharp teeth on. That means they will walk over kitchen counters or all over your pantry and cabinets, tracking dirt and bacteria across other food substances that might also be in there. One of the most dangerous of those is salmonella, which is often just referred to as food poisoning. Fevers and severe stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms and it can become very serious and dangerous.
The other thing to remember is that mice and other rodents are not neat and do not shower every day. This means they are often covered in parasites like ticks and fleas. Several diseases have been linked to parasites mice carry, including:
Lyme disease – which is transmitted via ticks, which mice often carry with them. Ticks can easily become an infestation and they can transmit this very serious, very health-averse disease which can have long-term effects.
Plague – yes, the Bubonic plague was thought to be caused by mice and rats, but it turned out to be caused by the fleas they carried. Fleas eat blood, just like ticks and mosquitoes, and can transmit this potentially lethal disease.
Colorado Tick Fever – another very serious and life-threatening disease transmitted by ticks carried by rodents like mice.
There are other mouse-related diseases linked to the parasites they carry. Getting rid of mice inside your home is more than just saving the furniture from having holes chewed in it. It can be dangerous to leave them on the loose.
At Red Carpet Pest Control, our mice exterminators in NYC and CT are specially-trained for dealing with any type of rodent problem, large or small. If your business is being affected by mice, our exterminators can eliminate the infestation and then implement an effective and customized mice pest control program for your facility’s unique needs.
Rats
Overview
A rat is larger than a mouse and can weigh up to 0.5 kilograms (1 pound). The Norway rat and the roof rat are the most commonly encountered rats indoors in NY and CT. They look similar, but their habits are different. The Norway rat builds elaborate systems of tunnels and burrows at ground level. It prefers damp areas like crawl spaces or building perimeters. The roof rat is an agile climber and prefers to live in trees, vines, and other dense vegetation. It will infest attics, rafters, or roofs, and upper stories of buildings.
Rats are social rodents so if you find one living in your home there are more than likely many others living close by. Because of those reasons it is best to get professional help to control rats in and around your home. Knowing the type of pest you have can help you figure out the best approach to controlling them. (For example, a rat trap is too large to kill a mouse.)
Where are Rats found?
Rats build nests in warm, hidden places using shredded material such as newspaper and fabrics. Nests will often contain young rats and are usually located close to a food source. Check behind and under appliances, such as fridges and freezers in or near your kitchen.
What makes them harmful?
It is possible for rats to transmit diseases to humans. They can transmit disease if they bite or scratch humans and also by leaving their droppings and urine around the home. Humans can also get sick when rats contaminate their food or run across counter tops where food is later prepared. Some of the most common diseases transmitted to humans by rats include:
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV) – viral infectious disease that is transmitted through the urine and saliva of rats.
- Black Plague – transmitted through fleas that come from the rats and bite humans. Fleas from rats also transmit bubonic plague, typhus, and hantavirus.
- Salmonellosis – if you consume food or water that has been contaminated by rat feces you can get this disease.
In addition to the health concerns of having rats in your home, rats are also known for being destructive. They gnaw on plastic and wood, leaving large holes in walls and floorboards.
What are signs I may have rats?
Rats are nocturnal and you generally will not see them in your home unless you have a very large infestation. If rats are in your home you will find large gnaw marks on food, utility lines and pipes, dry wall, furniture, and other objects. You will also see grease stains on walls and other objects as the rats move along them while traveling through your house. You may also hear them moving behind your walls, and you will find their droppings which will be approximately 18-20cm in size and blunt at both ends.
For help with rat control in your home contact Red Carpet Pest Control today, we will provide you with safe, effective residential and commercial pest control services to get rid of rats and other common household pests from your home.
FAQs
WHAT ARE RODENTS?
Rodents are a group of nuisance pests that includes mice, rats, and squirrels. These animals can contaminate food, damage property, and spread disease. The Order Rodentia is comprised of over 2,000 species, which are subdivided into many families. The Family Muridae is the largest, containing nearly two-thirds of all rodent species. This family includes several subfamilies and includes sand rats, gerbils, crested rats and old world rats and mice.
Why are they in my house?
There are two main things that can attract mice and rats to your house – food and shelter. If you don’t tidy up properly and there’s food waste on the floor or surfaces, rodents are going to love it!
Rats and mice also need shelter, particularly during winter to avoid the worst of the cold. The same is true when they’re trying to find a nice warm spot to raise their young. A heated home with lots of places to hide away is perfect and an untidy home even more so.
Mice can squeeze through gaps less than 2cm in diameter, and rats only need slightly more space, so any small hole to the outside can serve as a rodent gateway straight into your home.
Are rodents dangerous?
Although rodents don’t appear to inflict much harm, they can be quite dangerous to have in your home. Beyond the anxiety they bring to you and your loved ones, the health hazards they bring are even more alarming. Rodents are capable of the following:
- The spread of various diseases, including Salmonellosis, Plague Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, and Rickettsialpox
- Contamination of food supplies
- Exposure to fleas and other ectoparasites that they can introduce into your home
- Structural and foundational damage to your home, caused by gnawing on building interiors and wiring, potentially igniting fires.
These are all very serious issues that can adversely affect your family. Don’t let your loved ones be harmed by the negative, hazardous effects of rodent infestations. Allow our trusted, experienced rodent exterminators at Red Carpet Pest Control to come in and get the job done, making sure you are safe, happy, and have your peace of mind.
What does it take to get rid of rodents?
If you’re dealing with a rodent problem, it can feel like a never-ending trial. Maybe you’ve tried DIY rodent control, only to find the problem has gotten worse. It is recommended that anyone experiencing a rodent infestation contact a pest control professional to arrange for a consultation. Professionals are trained not only to address current infestations but also to prevent future infestations. Scheduling a home inspection may help you get rid of rodents.
How soon can you get here?
At Red Carpet Pest Control, we understand that it is important to you to take care of your pest problem as soon as possible; therefore it is important to us, as well.
Ideally, when you reach out to us, one of our educated, trusted technicians will come and inspect your property, evaluating the degree of your mouse or rat problem, therefore allowing us to create a customized plan. Emergency and same day service is available and in most cases we can be there the very next day.
Is the treatment safe?
At Red Carpet Pest Control we pride ourselves on being Green Shield Certified and we use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, to make certain our treatments are much safer for you and your family. IPM techniques include far fewer uses of chemicals, using them only as a last resort. Instead, we focus on baiting and the exclusion of pests.
How can I prevent a future infestation?
Discourage rats and mice from taking up residence on your property by removing food and water sources, and items that can provide them shelter:
- Seal holes inside and outside the home to keep rodents out. This may be as simple as plugging small holes with steel wool, or patching holes in inside or outside walls.
- Remove potential rodent nesting sites from your property, including leaf piles and deep mulch.
- Clean up food and water sources in and near your house.
- Keep kitchen garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Turn compost piles to cover newly added food scraps.
- Stop feeding outdoor birds while you are controlling an infestation or feed only huskless items that leave fewer residues that can be food for rodents.