Furry Pests

Pest Control for Those Furry Critters Invading Your Home

There are many furry pests that can infiltrate your home and garden. While these critters might look cute from a distance, they often bring unwelcome havoc and destruction wherever they roam. Understanding the differences between various furry pests is crucial for effective pest control strategies.

Rodents

Have you been hearing the pitter patter of unknown sources in your ceiling at night? Roof rats and field mice are the most common rodents invading homes in our area. Rodents can cause serious health concerns, as they are known vectors of disease, carry harmful parasites, and cause contamination to food.

Additionally, due to their constant gnawing, rodents have been known to cause household fires from chewing on electrical wiring.

Rats: The Stealthy Intruders

Rats are notorious for their ability to sneak into even the tiniest crevices of your home. With their sharp teeth and voracious appetites, they can cause extensive damage to property and pose serious health risks to humans and pets. From gnawing through electrical wires to contaminating food, rats are unwelcome guests that require swift action.

Mice: Tiny but Mighty Troublemakers

Mice may be small in size, but their presence can result in significant problems for homeowners. These agile rodents can squeeze through minuscule openings, making them difficult to keep out. Don’t let their diminutive stature fool you; mice can wreak havoc on your home and garden if left unchecked.

Ground Squirrels: Energetic Nuisances

Ground squirrels are charismatic creatures that can quickly become a nuisance in your yard or garden. With their boundless energy and insatiable appetite, they’ll happily raid bird feeders, plunder vegetable patches, and dig burrows beneath your carefully manicured turf. While their playful antics may charm onlookers, the damage they inflict on landscapes can be extensive.

Burrowing Animals

Gophers and moles can become pests when they invade your lawn and garden causing damage to the grass, landscape, and plants. The first step in gopher control or mole control service is to properly identify the pest in your garden.

The easiest way to identify a gopher in your yard is through the dirt mounds they form. Typical gopher mounds are horseshoe shaped, and pushed to the side of their open hole, which is often plugged with loose soil. Moles, on the other hand, create foraging tunnels closer to the surface, leaving a raised edge. Both tend to live in the same area for a long time as long as there is a food source available.

Gophers: Subterranean Saboteurs

Gophers are expert excavators that tunnel beneath lawns and gardens, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. These furry pests feast on plant roots, causing wilting and eventual death to your prized flora. Their intricate tunnel systems can undermine the structural integrity of your outdoor spaces. Dealing with gophers requires strategic measures to prevent further damage.

Voles: The Silent Plant Predators

Voles, often mistaken for mice or shrews, are herbivorous rodents that pose a threat to your garden’s greenery. These furry pests nibble on the roots, stems, and foliage of various plants, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Unlike their subterranean counterparts, voles are active both above and below ground, making them formidable adversaries for gardeners.

Moles: Mysterious Diggers of the Deep

Moles tunnel tirelessly, creating ridges and mounds that mar the appearance of your yard. While they primarily feed on insects rather than plants, their digging activities can disrupt root systems and compromise the health of your yard. Tackling mole infestations requires patience and persistence to reclaim your outdoor space.

Other Furry Invaders: A Diverse Menagerie

Beyond the usual suspects of rats, mice, gophers, moles, voles, and ground squirrels, there exists a diverse array of furry pests that may infiltrate your home and garden. From chipmunks to rabbits, each species presents its own set of challenges. Furry pests come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own unique behaviors and characteristics. Whether you’re contending with rats in the attic, gophers in the garden, or moles beneath the lawn, proactive pest control is paramount to protecting your home. With the diversity of furry pests out there, knowledge is your greatest weapon.

Raccoons: The Mischievous Bandits

With their distinctive mask-like markings and bushy tails, raccoons are easily recognizable. These nocturnal creatures are notorious for their scavenging habits, often raiding trash cans in search of food. Their paws allow them to manipulate objects with ease, making them formidable opponents for homeowners. Preventing raccoon intrusion starts with securing potential entry points around your home. Seal off any gaps or openings in your attic, chimney, and foundation to deter these clever critters from gaining access. Additionally, invest in sturdy trash cans with secure lids to thwart their scavenging efforts.

Opossums: Nature's Cleanup Crew

Often misunderstood as pests, opossums play a vital role in our ecosystem as nature’s cleanup crew. These nocturnal marsupials are scavengers by nature, feeding on insects, small rodents, and carrion. While they may not be as destructive as raccoons, opossums can still cause problems for homeowners, especially if they decide to take up residence in your attic or crawl space. To discourage opossums from setting up camp in your home or garden, it’s essential to remove attractants such as fallen fruit, bird feeders, and open compost bins. Additionally, sealing off potential entry points and installing motion-activated lights can help deter these nocturnal visitors from venturing too close to your property.