MN Rodent Inspection

Minnesota Rodent & Mice Removal | Cleanup | Prevention | Repair

Minnesota Rodent Control | Prevention | Elimination

Rodents are a problem not just because they can destroy personal property and create problems with a home’s structure, but also because they can spread serious diseases to humans and their pets. Rodent-borne disease may be spread directly — by touching rodents or their urine, feces or saliva – or indirectly — by coming into contact with fleas or other insects that have fed on an infected rodent host. Inspectors should use extreme caution and wear appropriate personal protective equipment when entering a home that is known to be infested with rodents.

Some diseases resulting from direct contact with mice and rats include:

• hantavirus pulmonary syndrome;
• hemorrhagic fever with renal; syndrome;
• Lassa fever;
• leptospirosis;
• lymphocytic chorio-meningitis;
• plague;
• rat-bite fever;
• salmonellosis;
• South American arenaviruses; and
• tularemia.

Some diseases resulting from indirect contact with mice and rats include:

• babesiosis;
• Colorado tick fever;
• human granulocytic anaplasmosis;
• lyme disease;
• murine typhus;
• scrub typhus;
• rickettsialpox;
• relapsing fever; and
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Rodents also pose a danger to the integrity of the structures they inhabit. They have strong teeth and they may chew through structures to gain access to food sources. The best method for preventing exposure to rodents is to prevent rodent infestation in the first place.

How can you tell that a home is infested?

Actual rodent sightings in the home are a good indicator that a severe infestation may be in progress.  Mild cases of infestation might not result in actual rodent sightings.

Indicators of an infestation are:

• chewing or clawing sounds that come from inside or outside a home. Noises may even come from the roof, as tree-dwelling rodents may try to gain access to a home from above the living space;
• stale smells coming from hidden areas;
• evidence of structural damage that can provide entry points into the home;
• evidence of gnawing and chewing on food packaging;
• nesting material found in small piles, such as shredded paper, fabric or dried plant matter; and
• rodent droppings anywhere in the home, especially near food packages in drawers and cupboards, and under the sink.

How can rodent infestation be prevented?

The following measures can be taken to eliminate rodents’ food sources, according to the CDC:

• Keep food in thick plastic or metal containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Clean up spilled food right away, and wash dishes and cooking utensils soon after use.
• Keep outside cooking areas and grills clean.
• Always put pet food away after use and do not leave pets’ food or water bowls out overnight.
• Keep bird feeders away from the house.  Utilize squirrel guards to limit access to the feeder by squirrels and other rodents.
• Use thick plastic or metal garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.
• Keep compost bins as far away from the house as possible.
• Dispose of trash and garbage on a frequent and regular basis, and eliminate clutter in and around the property to discourage nesting.

Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel, and rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a half dollar, according to the CDC. Consequently, smaller gaps may be filled cheaply and easily with steel wool and caulk may be used to seal it in place. Larger gaps and holes may be filled with lath screen or lath metal, cement, hardware cloth or metal sheeting.

Common places where gaps may be found inside the home are:

• inside, under and behind kitchen cabinets, refrigerators and stoves
• inside closets near the floor’s corners
• around the fireplace
• around doors
• around plumbing pipes under sinks and washing machines
• around the piping for hot water heaters and furnaces
• around floor vents and dryer vents
• inside the attic
• in the basement or crawlspace
• near the basement and laundry room floor drains; and
• between the floor and wall juncture

Common places where gaps may be found outside the home are:

• in the roof among the rafters, gables and eaves
• around windows
• around doors
• around the foundation
• near attic vents and crawlspace vents
• under doors; and
• around holes for electrical, plumbing, cable and gas lines

Any potential nesting sites outside the home should be eliminated. Elevate hay, woodpiles and garbage cans at least 1 foot off the ground. Move woodpiles far away from the house. Get rid of old trucks, cars and old tires that mice and rats could use as homes. Keep grass cut short, and keep shrubbery within 100 feet of the home well-trimmed.

What should be done if a house is found to be infested with rodents?

It is important to stay away from rodents, and to protect children and pets from direct and indirect contact if they are found in the home. Droppings should be handled only with extreme caution, even if they have dried. A face mask and gloves should be worn if handling and cleaning up these droppings because disturbing fecal particles may precipitate airborne contaminants. Affected areas should be sterilized after the droppings have been removed.

In mild cases of infestation, homeowners may choose to eliminate the rodents themselves. However, if you see signs of heavy rodent infestation, it is best to utilize the services of a Minnesota animal control expert that has well established techniques and are well experienced in dealing with these pests.

Fast Humane Rodent | Mice Removal 24 Hour Service

Dealing With A Squirrel Infestation

Squirrel Control

Squirrels can seem harmless enough when you casually see them running around your neighborhood. Be warned, though, in your house a squirrel problem is a serious threat that can endanger your home and your family. As their natural habitat shrinks, squirrels are often forced into your attic, chimney, or crawlspace to live. Gnawing through loose roofing or foundations or slipping through chimneys and other existing holes, squirrels can quickly set up nesting and wreak havoc on your home. In the spring, their mating noises will annoy you, but this is hardly the biggest worry they create.

Destruction from Squirrel Infestation
The most common squirrel infestation is in your attic. Squirrels find this area of your home to be particularly welcoming when your attic insulation is readily available. Squirrels will tear up this insulation, shredding it to pieces and making it less effective. Shredded ductwork is also a likely outcome. With time, your attic will begin to emanate the foul odor of squirrel urine. Their burrows will also create an easy avenue for bats, insects, and other pests to enter your home or simply create a leaky roof. If the squirrel ends up dying in your attic, you’ll forget about the odor of urine, as the smell of dead squirrel causes headaches and nausea. The greatest danger, however, is the fire hazard they create. Squirrels will gnaw on anything and everything. If it finds wall space where your electrical wiring is hiding, the damaged wiring can set your house ablaze.

Disease
Less common, although still a real possibility, squirrel infestation poses a serious health risk to humans. Squirrels are primary carriers of tick fever, powassan encephalitis, and rabies; insects also commonly live on squirrels who can import all sorts of nasty micro-organisms and disease. This is one of the reasons homeowners should never attempt their own squirrel control solutions. While squirrels have become accustomed to humans, ones that appear particularly fearless around you may be rabid and should definitely be avoided. Among the many pests squirrels bring into your home, ticks and fleas are almost surely present, leading to pet infections as well.

Squirrel Control
Squirrel control is a job for professionals. You should never take a squirrel problem on by yourself. While you might be able to trap and/or kill one squirrel, more effective treatments will prevent problems such as dead offspring rotting in your attic or crawlspace. The health risk and the common pitfalls that arise from taking the matter into your own hands simply aren’t worth it. Squirrel control professionals have many ways they can deal with your squirrel problem. They can trap and kill the squirrels, trap and relocate the squirrels, deploy squirrel repellent and even use specially-designed lighting equipment to drive the squirrels away. After your squirrel problem has been addressed you should do your best to seal any structural weaknesses in your home, especially the roof and installing a chimney screen. Be aware, though, that even the most effective treatments may not prevent future infestations if you live in a place your local squirrel community finds desirable.

If you have a squirrel problem you are going to have to trap and remove them. Hiring a professional Minnesota Wild Animal trapper will ensure the trapping is done in a timely and humane manner.

You See Signs Of Mice | Rodents In Your House

Rodents | Mice In Your Home

Some rodents are destructive pests that can spread disease, contaminate food and destroy property.  They vary in color and size by species.  The most common rodents that live in close proximity to humans (called commensal rodents) in the United States are Norway rats, roof rats, house mice and deer mice.

§  Norway rats are grayish-brown, roughly 13 to 17 inches long from nose to end of tail.

§  Roof rats are black or brown and smaller and sleeker than Norway rats, with tails longer than their bodies.

§  House mice, usually light gray, are small and slender, five to seven inches long from nose to end of tail.

§  Deer mice are small, tan or brown on top with white feet and underbellies.

Where are rodents found?

Rodents are found throughout the world, wherever food and water sources exist and can be difficult to keep out of homes regardless of size or species.  In fact, rats can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter, and mice can squeeze through holes the size of a dime.

Why should I be concerned about rodents?

Rodents, which can be hard to control, may also be harmful, contaminating food and spreading diseases.

Rodent infestation in and around the home remains the primary risk for hantavirus. Proper removal of any animal droppings, along with sanitation is absolutely necessary.  If your home was invaded by any of these animals and they made a mess, we can  help you.  A professional wild animal management company can properly and safely remove the droppings and sanitize the area, ensuring it is clean.  The problem with doing it yourself are diseases.  Droppings of any animal are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and diseases, and if you are not careful it could be harmful.  For instance, not wearing a mask while cleaning bat guano can be dangerous, and raccoon feces can harbor parasitic worms that can make you very ill and in rare cases, death.

Who is affected by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)

Through December 1, 2009, a total of 534 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have been reported in the United States. Of these, 503 cases occurred from 1993, onward, following identification of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, whereas 31 cases were retrospectively identified. Thirty-six percent of all reported cases have resulted in death.

Of persons ill with HPS, 63% hav   e been male, 37% female.

The mean age of confirmed case patients is 37 years (range: 6 to 83 years).

HPS can strike anyone; however, whites currently account for 78% of all cases. American Indians account for about 18% of cases, African Americans for 2% of cases, and Asians for 1% of cases. About 20% of HPS cases have been reported among Hispanics (ethnicity considered separately from race).

Cases have been reported in 31 states, including most of the western half of the country and some eastern states as well. Over half of the confirmed cases have been reported from areas outside the Four Corners area.

About three-quarters of patients with HPS have been residents of rural areas.

Total Cases: 545 (Cumulative case count per state valid as of July 1, 2010) States Cases by State of Exposure Cases by Reporting State Cases by State of Residence

The last thing anyone wants to see crawling through their home is rodents and mice.  But if you have them, call a Minnesota Wild Animal Management Expert; they are experts at mice removal in a humane way.  Rodent control is still considered the most effective prevention of HPS.  Contact your local pest control professional to discuss extermination options.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Common Signs You Might Have A Rodent Problem

Signs Of Rodent Infestation

Remember that not all types of rodents carry hantavirus. Neither common house mice nor common rats have been associated with HPS in humans, for example. Yet because it can be tough to tell just what kind of rodents you have, play it safe — clean up the infestation and rodent-proof your home or workplace.

Here are some common signs that you may have a rodent problem. 

Rodent Droppings

This is one of the most reliable signs that you have a rodent problem. You may find droppings in places where you store your food or your pet/animal food, such as in cupboards and drawers or in bins. Because mice like to run in places that offer them some protection from predators, you may find droppings in cupboards or under the sink, along walls, or on top of wall studs or beams. Mice will leave droppings near their nests as well (see below). Storage rooms, sheds, barns, or cabins loaded with boxes, bags, old furniture, and other objects make anideal home for rodents, so you may find droppings there, even inside boxes and other containers.

Workplaces can also make good rodent homes. Warehouses, restaurants, and the like are obvious places to look because food may be plentiful there. However, rodents can infest office buildings, too. Once again, look for droppings in protected places, such as closets, storage rooms, or inside boxes.

Signs of Rodent Nests

Rodents tend to build their nests from materials that are soft, fuzzy, or warm. Among common rodent nest materials are shredded paper, bunches of dry grass or small twigs, fabric, andfurniture stuffing. Rodents will nest wherever safety from enemies can be found close enough to food and water, and they prefer places that are relatively quiet. Inside buildings, here are some places to look:

• inside cabinets
• under or inside dressers
• in and among boxes
• behind and inside machinery and appliances (kitchen appliances such as stoves or refrigerator drip pans; water coolers; and electric motor cases or computer cases)
• inside upholstered furniture
• inside double walls or the space between floors and ceilings.

Food Boxes, Containers, or Food Itself That Appears To Be Nibbled
Look for droppings nearby.  Rodents can chew through plastic, so plastic bags do not make safe food storage containers.

Signs of Rodent “Feeding Stations”
These are semi-hidden spots where rodents eat food they have collected. At these stations, rodents may leave larger-than-normal amounts of droppings/urine, plus remnants of a variety of foods (such as nut shells), bits of plastic or paper, and cockroach carcasses.

You Find Evidence of Gnawing
To get to food, rodents will gnaw on almost anything that is softer than the enamel of their teeth. This includes such things as wood, paper board, cloth sacks, and materials even harder than these. Because rodents’ teeth grow continuously, they must gnaw to keep them short. That may help to explain why chair legs or similar surfaces show gnawed spots or tooth marks in rodent-infested places.

You Notice an Odd, Stale Smell
In closed-up rooms infested by rodents, you will commonly smell an unusual, musky odor.

You See a Mouse in Your House
Rodents are normally active at night, and generally avoid humans. If you have rodents, unless the infestation is large, you may never see one.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

What Should I Know About A Rodent Infestation?

Rodents That Carry the Types of Hantavirus Which Cause HPS In the United States

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection. Through December 1, 2009, a total of 534 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have been reported in the United States.

Should you worry a lot about Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome? No, but accurate information will help you to know the risks and then you can practice some common sense prevention strategies.

Deere Mouse

The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is a deceptively cute animal, with big eyes and big ears. Its head and body are normally about 2 – 3 inches long, and the tail adds another 2 – 3 inches in length. You may see it in a variety of colors, from gray to reddish brown, depending on its age. The underbelly is always white and the tail has sharply defined white sides. The deer mouse is found almost everywhere in North America. Usually, the deer mouse likes woodlands, but also turns up in desert areas.

Cotton Rat

The Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus), which you’ll find in the southeastern United States (and way down into Central and South America), has a bigger body than the deer mouse—head and body about 5 – 7 inches, and another 3 – 4 inches for the tail. The hair is longer and coarser, of a grayish brown color, even grayish black. The cotton rat prefers overgrown areas with s hrubs and tall grasses.

The Rice Rat

The Rice Rat (Oryzomys palustris) is slightly smaller than the cotton rat, having a head and body 5 – 6 inches long, plus a very long, 4- to 7-inch tail. Rice rats s port short, soft, grayish brown fur on top, and gray or tawny underbellies. Their feet are whitish. As you might expect from the name, this rat likes marshy areas and is semiaquatic. It’s found in the southeastern United States and in Central America.

The White-footed Mouse

The White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) is hard to distinguish from the deer mouse. The head and body together are about four inches long. Note that its tail is normally shorter than its body (about 2 - 4 inches long). Topside, its fur ranges from pale brown to reddish brown, while its underside and feet are white. The white-footed mouse is found through southern New England, the Mid-Atlantic and southern states, the midwestern and western states, and Mexico. It prefers wooded and brushy areas, although sometimes it will live in more open ground.
Both the deer mouse and the cotton rat usually live in rural areas, but can also be found in cities when conditions are right, such as easy availability of food, water and shelter.

Other Rodents May Also Carry Hantavirus
Other rodents carry strains of hantavirus that cause HPS, but they have not yet been identified. In addition, other rodent species may play host to other types of hantaviruses that cause a different type of infection, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, or HFRS.

It is wise, therefore, to avoid close contact with rodents in general.

Who Is at Risk of Getting HPS, and Why?

Anyone who comes into contact with rodents that carry hantavirus is at risk of HPS. Rodent infestation in and around the home remains the primary risk for hantavirus exposure. Even healthy individuals are at risk for HPS infection if exposed to the virus.

The last thing anyone wants to see crawling through their home is a mouse.  But if you have them, call a Minnesota Wild Animal Management Expert; they are experts at mice removal in a humane way.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Get Rid Of Mice In Your Home

All possible feeding sites and entry points must be identified and eliminated. Human food sources should be kept in metal or glass containers with tight lids. Trashcans should be similarly resilient and sealed. Counter tops, sinks and kitchen floors must be kept clean and all possible entry points should be sealed. Cracks, holes and crevices should be sealed with steel or concrete. The open areas around pipes, gas lines and dryer vents should also be sealed. Holes as small as pencil erasers may allow entry and should not be disregarded.

Home extermination techniques vary from traps to repellents and poisons. Some traps are more humane than others. Snap traps may be dangerous for humans and house pets. They also tend to leave unsightly messes. Glue traps are similarly disturbing and mice may be capable of escaping from them. Live traps require homeowners to dispose of captured rodents. Electronic traps are a preferred method of small-scale elimination, but no traps are efficient in handling full-blown infestations.

Poisons may be more effective than traps. However, they are also toxic to humans. Children and house pets are often made extremely ill by ingestion of poison. Furthermore, affected rodents often retreat to die in areas that are inaccessible by humans. The resulting smells are unpleasant and difficult to address.

Mice infestations are troublesome and dangerous to humans. Mice feed on human food sources and destroy cartons, paper, boxes and plastic in order to construct their nests. The urine, saliva and feces of some mice may contain viruses and bacteria, such as salmonella and Hantavirus. It is therefore necessary to exterminate any mouse infestation.

Exclusion

Exclusion is the most successful and permanent form of house mouse control.  “Build them out” by eliminating all gaps and openings larger than ¼ inch, through which mice will enter a structure.  Steel wool makes a good temporary plug.  Seal cracks in building foundations and around openings for water pipes, vents, and utility cables with metal or concrete.  Doors, windows, and screens should fit tightly.  It may be necessary to cover the edges of doors and windows with metal to prevent gnawing.  Plastic screening, rubber or vinyl, insulating foam, wood, and other gnawable materials are unsuitable for plugging holes used by mice.

The safest and most efficient mouse extermination methods are those done by trained pest control professionals. If you suspect you have a mice infestation, contact a wild animal control expert to arrange for an inspection and consultation.

Do You Have A Mice Infestation?

Signs Of Mice Infestation

Generally mice won’t be seen during the day as they are nocturnal – so quite often a homeowner is more likely to see the evidence they leave behind rather than the mice themselves.
The typical signs of a mouse problem are:

• Mouse Droppings – mice leave small, dark droppings particularly along walls, in cupboards or under sinks.
• Dirty Smudges on floors or skirting board. Mice tend to run alongside walls as they don’t have great eyesight. You might also notice small patches of urine.
• Distinctive Smell – mice leave an ammonia-like smell that will be particularly strong in more enclosed areas such as in cupboards.
• Damage – mice have teeth that grow continuously and will gnaw on wood, plastic, cables and other hard materials to keep their teeth shorter. They will also steal softer materials for nesting.
• Scratching Noises – in the walls or ceilings as mice scurry around, or mice in attics. You might also hear them squeaking or gnawing.
• Nests – mice build nests with shredded material such as newspaper and fabrics. These will tend to be in hidden places such as behind fridges. Nests will often contain young mice.

Proper removal of any animal droppings, along with sanitation is absolutely necessary.  If your home was invaded by any of these animals and they made a mess, we can help you.  A professional wild animal management company can properly and safely remove the droppings and sanitize the area, ensuring it is clean.  The problem with doing it yourself are diseases.  Droppings of any animal are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and diseases, and if you are not careful it could be harmful.  For instance, not wearing a mask while cleaning bat guano can be dangerous, and raccoon feces can harbor parasitic worms that can make you very ill and in rare cases, death.