Mice & Rats

What types of rodents are most common in Virginia?

Mice and rats are commensal rodents in Virginia.  Commensal means they want to "share our table" and rely on us partially for their survival.  In Virginia, the most common types of rodents include the common house mouse, field mouse, Norway rat, and roof rat. 

While mice and rats vary in size, color, and behavior, one characteristic rodents share is that they all have two incisors that continuously grow.  To keep their teeth from overgrowing, rodents constantly chew on objects they come across.

Are rodents dangerous?

Yes, rodents are dangerous pests.  In fact, both mice and rats spread a wide variety of diseases and viruses including:

• Hantavirus
• Leptospirosis
• Rat-bite fever
• Salmonellosis

Inside homes, rodents contaminate food, dishes, food prep areas, and other surfaces with their excrement and saliva. On their bodies, they carry parasites like fleas and ticks that create more health concerns for people.

In conjunction with the health risks rodents pose, mice and rats are also destructive. Their chewing habits cause damage to the things in buildings like wires, insulation, pipes, drywall, flooring, and personal items such as clothing, shoes, boxes, and furniture.

Rats also leave grease marks on walls and furniture as they follow the same path from their food sources to nest each day. 

Why do I have an rodent problem?

Rodents are bad news for your Roanoke property, they determined pests and will take the opportunity to invade any property that offers easy access to food and shelter. Things like unsecured bags of garbage, piles of compost, pet food, and vegetable or fruit gardens are all places where rodents forage for food. Woodpiles, tall grass, overgrown shrubs and bushes, and areas next to foundations make great places for rodents to hide and nest. 

 Once these shy creatures are comfortable moving around your property, there is a high chance they will find their way indoors searching for food or a nesting spot. They usually come inside at ground level. Still, because many species of rodents are great climbers, they also come in through the roof, squeezing their way inside through openings the diameter of a pencil (mice) or diameter of a nickel (rat).

Where will I find rodents?

Mice and rats live in a variety of outdoor environments, including wooded areas, fields, and parks. If your property is next to a place where rodents thrive, there is a very good chance they will find their way onto your property and eventually into your home.

Inside, rodents, depending on the type, nest behind walls, under floors, above ceilings, in furniture, or behind large appliances—usually within 10-30 feet of their food sources.

How do I get rid of rodents?

When it comes to dealing with rodents, the best way to eliminate them and prevent them from returning, especially in the winter, is with the help of a pest control company that specializes in rodent control.  When you partner with Star City Pest Control & Wildlife Services, you can count on our team to get rid of rodents that have infested your business or home.  

Please give us a call to discuss how our team can help you with effective rodent control in Roanoke, Salem, and surrounding areas.  You can also complete our online form to schedule a free rodent inspection.

How can I prevent Rodents in the future?

To make your home or business less accessible to mice and rats and to prevent rodent damage, our local pest control pros recommend the following rodent prevention tips:

• Inspect your foundation, roof, and exterior walls, sealing any entry points you find.
• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home.
• Put door sweeps on all exterior doors—especially basements doors.
• Seal spaces around utilities (wires, pipes, air-conditioners) entering your house.
• Keep tight-fitting or locking lids on outdoor trash cans and compost bins. Store the containers away from the sides of your home.
• Remove fallen trees and tree stumps from your property.
• Keep bushes, shrubs, and ornamental planted trimmed back away from the exterior of your house.
• Make sure outdoor eating areas are clean and free of food debris.
• Remove bird feeders from your yard.
• Pick up uneaten pet food each evening.