Living in the picturesque areas of Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Oxnard, Sherman Oaks, Malibu, and Woodland Hills provides residents with an idyllic suburban lifestyle marked by lush landscapes and spacious backyards. Unfortunately, this lifestyle also comes with its unique set of challenges, notably rats, mice, and other burrowing rodents. These creatures can easily become unmanageable pests and pose significant threats to homeowners, penetrating indoor spaces and ruining and outdoor living areas.
Understanding the Rodent Menace
Each type of rodent comes with its unique set of behaviors and risks.
Rats and Mice
- They are known for their ability to invade homes by squeezing through very small openings. Mice can fit through holes as small as a dime (about 1/4 inch), young rats can enter openings as small as a quarter (about 1/2 inch) and adult rats typically require a slightly larger hole about the size of a half dollar.
- Rats and mice can chew through electrical wiring, which increases the risk of short circuits, power outages, or even severe fires.
- They can build nests in insulation, leading to damage and inefficiency in heating and cooling the home.
- They can gnaw on plastic and lead pipes, causing leaks, water damage.
- Rats and mice carry diseases such as hantavirus and salmonellosis, which spread through their droppings, urine, or saliva.
- They can contaminate food supplies within the house by leaving droppings and urine in food storage areas.
Burrowing Rodents
Pocket gophers
- They are known for creating extensive underground burrows, which can destroy the root systems of garden plants and grass, leading to unsightly brown patches and uneven turf.
- Pocket gophers can chew through underground cables and irrigation systems causing disruptions and expensive repairs.
- Their mounds can pose tripping hazards and make lawn maintenance more challenging.
California ground squirrels
- They can burrow under foundations, patios, and other structures causing the ground to settle unevenly, which might lead to cracks and other structural damages over time.
- Ground squirrels are notorious for their voracious appetites, eating through garden vegetables, ornamental plants, and even young trees.
- They carry diseases such as plague, which poses a significant health risk to pets and humans.
Moles
- Moles primarily feed on earthworms and other soil insects, but their tunneling activities can create uneven lawns, which leads to tripping risks.
- Even though they don’t eat plants, their tunneling can disturb root systems, sometimes killing them by exposing roots to air or by disrupting the soil structure.
Tree Squirrels
They are a protected species in California, which means their management requires specific, humane approaches to control and prevent infestations without harming them.
- Tree squirrels like to sharpen their teeth on shingles and even structural beams once they gain access to your attic. This can leave open access to other pests as well.
- One of the more hazardous behaviors of tree squirrels is chewing on electrical wires. In this case, we’re not talking just about expensive repairs, but also a significant fire hazard.
- Once they gain access, tree squirrels love to nest in attics where they can damage insulation by burrowing into it. This also leads to urine and feces contamination.
- Vent and Duct Damage: Squirrels can chew through or nest in vent ducts, which can impair home ventilation systems and lead to costly HVAC repairs.
- In gardens, tree squirrels can dig up and eat bulbs, fruits, and seeds ruining both vegetable gardens and ornamental plantings.
- If you don’t have a veggie garden, they can still ruin your backyard as they search for food or hiding spots for their meals. They dig holes all around the lawn making it uneven and a risk to walk through it.
- Tree squirrels really, really like bird feeders and they are notorious for raiding them. This can become a nuisance for homeowners that enjoy birdwatching.
DIY Rodent Control vs Professional Rodent Control
As homeowners, we like to do things ourselves, I know it… I’m a homeowner myself and I've been there… But, when it comes to tackling rodent problems using DIY methods can make your problem even more challenging. Here are some key reasons why DIY often falls short and why professional intervention is ideal:
- Limited Scope: DIY solutions such as traps and over-the-counter baits usually work on visible pests, but don't really take care of hidden nests or the full scope of an infestation.
- Misidentification: Identifying the specific rodent that’s pestering you is key. Otherwise, you’ll end up with ineffective treatment plans.
- Health and Safety Risks: Dealing with pests usually means having to handle products that need special tools and equipment, but most importantly, the knowledge on how to use them so you can keep your pets, children, and the ecosystem safe.
Now let’s see how professional rodent control can be a smarter way to approach your rodent problem
- Experience and Expertise: Our AIPM technicians are trained to accurately identify different rodent species and understand their habits. They are also licensed to implement methods and products while keeping you, your family and pets safe and sound.
- Integrated Pest Management: We use a method that is called Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which combines physical, biological, and chemical controls where appropriate, ensuring long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
- Regulatory Compliance: Particularly for dealing with protected species like tree squirrels, we at AIPM ensure that management strategies comply with state wildlife regulations, avoiding legal issues.
- Preventative Measures: We don’t just remove rodents; we also implement prevention measures such as sealing entry points and mitigating factors that attract these pests.
Conclusion
Making sure that you keep a rodent-free home is not merely an option—it's a must! By choosing professional services over DIY attempts, you ensure that rodent control is handled effectively and responsibly, keeping your home safe and your family healthy. Remember, when it comes to rodents, what you can’t see can hurt you, making professional intervention vital for complete and effective control.
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