If there’s one pest that loves New Jersey, it’s rodents. Mice, rats, and squirrels thrive in densely populated areas, and as New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the U.S., it makes sense for rodents to cause extensive problems on New Jersey properties.
Many residents are familiar with how stressful a rodent infestation can be, and if you’re not careful, you could be their next victim. Let’s explore the different rodents common to New Jersey, as well as ways to prevent them from getting inside.
Common New Jersey Rodents
There are a few different types of rodents that can invade your home. These rodents include:
- Rats – the Norway Rat and the Roof Rat are common home invaders. Norway Rats grow to around 7-9 inches in length, have muddy brown coats, and are fairly round-bodied. Roof Rats only grow to about 6-8 inches and are much darker and pointier than Norway Rats.
- Mice – Deer Mice and House Mice are both common and prolific problems for New Jersey homes. Deer Mice are grayish-brown, slender rodents with larger ears, while House Mice are brown, black, gray, or white, and have smaller ears.
- Squirrels – they’re mostly pests in your backyard and around your bird feeders, but if they manage to get in your home, squirrels can be a major nuisance.
Problems Associated With New Jersey Rodents
Any of these pests can cause serious home damage and disease.
When it comes to diseases, rodents spread it best. Rats, mice, and even squirrels can spread any of the following: Leptospira, Bartonella, Salmonella, Hantavirus, and Plague. Rodents can even carry ticks which spread Lyme Disease and Tularemia.
Additionally, each of these pests can bring serious house damage. Rodents create nests in your home’s foundation, chewing through anything they can to feed their young and build their nests. This includes your wires, wood paneling, pipes, and insulation. Squirrels are especially notorious for chewing through wires, and an infestation could force you to hire a costly electrician if the nest isn’t removed fast.
Between their diseases and constant gnawing, rodents are a serious hazard to New Jersey properties. Keeping them out is essential.
Rodent Prevention Tips
Now that you know why rodents are a real problem, how do you keep them out? For starters, make your house as unattractive to pests as possible.
Rodents are primarily attracted to two things: clutter and food. If your house has a lot of clutter, including piles of clothes, junk, or trash, rodents will camp out and start their nests there.
Additionally, open food sources are the perfect motive for rodents to move in. If your food storage, including pantries and cabinets, has even the tiniest cracks, a rodent can make its way inside and start feasting. Be sure to keep all food, including pet food, properly sealed.
Finally, because rodents can squeeze into tiny spaces, you need to make sure your house is airtight.
To identify entry points, perform a thorough inspection of your property, and caulk or fill the spaces accordingly. Be on the lookout for air and water leaks. Remember, rodents can chew through metal pipes and cinder blocks, so even if the hole leads to a thick wall, it’s no match for rodent teeth.
If you find that a rodent has made its nest in your home, reach out to the rodent control experts at Heritage Pest Control, New Jersey’s premier exterminators!