As the seasons change, so do the habits of home-invading rodents in the Ocean Isle Beach area. Common rodents in Ocean Isle Beach include deer mice, house mice, roof rats, and Norway rats. Although these rodents share many similarities, they each are unique in their way. In addition, most species of rodents do not get along and are natural enemies of one another, so having more than one of these rodent species present in your home at a time is unlikely.
Deer Mice
Deer mice prefer a rural setting, often making their nests in nature wherever they can seek cover from the elements and predators. However, they will wander inside when the weather gets colder. Deer mice can carry the hantavirus, which can be transmitted by inhaling dust particles contaminated from the urine and feces of deer mice. Deer mice have one unique feature that sets them apart from other mice; they have a bicolored tail which is half brown and half white.
House Mice
Unlike deer mice, house mice prefer to nest inside man-made structures. They are excellent climbers, making any part of your home susceptible to a mouse invasion. House mice chew through all materials in your home as they build their nests and forage for food. They can cause significant damage in your home as they chew their way through walls and wiring, potentially creating a fire hazard. House mice also carry diseases, including salmonella, tapeworms, and the plague.
Roof Rats
Roof rats get their name because they tend to nest in high places, like trees and attics. Roof rats can spread diseases such as bubonic plague, rat-bite fever, trichinosis, and salmonellosis.
Norway Rats
Norway rats live in trash piles or burrow under concrete slabs. They will also make their way inside as the weather changes. Norway rats will gnaw through whatever they need to gnaw through to gain access into your home, including lead pipes. Norway rats also carry many diseases, including the plague, rat-bite fever, trichinosis, and salmonellosis.
The Dangers Of Letting Mice & Rats Invade Your Ocean Isle Beach Home
Mice and rats are warm-blooded creatures naturally drawn to the comfort your Ocean Isle Beach home provides. These crafty pests can fit through the smallest of holes in the exterior of your home. If they can’t find a spot, some will even make a hole.
Their main objective is to find food and shelter, and they don’t care how they have to do it. Once inside your home, rodents will chew, gnaw, and burrow their way in, using whatever means necessary to create a nest while trying to go undetected. Mice and rats can contaminate your food prep area, damage your property and put your family at risk of potentially dangerous diseases.
How To Protect Your Home & Family From Rodents
Knowing what draws rodents to your Ocean Isle Beach property is an essential step in prevention. Rodents are drawn to any food sources. Food for them can be anything from trash to pet food to human food. They are also always in search of safe places to nest. It is imperative to evaluate the exterior of your home regularly to see if your home is vulnerable to these invasive pests.
Some prevention tips are:
- Check your home for cracks and holes where rodents can get in. Use caulking to seal up holes. Small mice can get into your home through a hole the size of a dime.
- Replace worn screens and add weather stripping to doors and windows.
- Make sure trash receptacles are stored well away from your home and have tight-fitting lids.
- Keep pet food covered when not in use.
- Keep your yard and home free of clutter.
When It’s Time To Call The Professionals
It is a good idea to call the professionals at Jay Taylor Exterminating at first sight of rodents in or around your Ocean Isle Beach property. Our experts are well trained to make the extermination of your unwanted house pests easy and effective.