Why You Should Call The Pros When It Comes To Rodent Problems In Your Home

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Scientifically reviewed by Daniel Baldwin, BCE, CCFS, CP-FS

-Published on September 15, 2020

-Updated on March 11, 2025

Several types of rodents live in the U.S., but all of them have one thing in common. They’re all dangerous and destructive. If you find signs of rodents in your home, you need the help of a professional. Find out why you should call the professionals for your rodent problems.

identifying your rodents

One of the benefits of hiring a professional is getting a positive ID on your rodent visitors. Many people misidentify the different species of rodents. However, it’s always good to know how to tell the difference between the local rodents.

Deer mice are about four inches long and have long tails that are about the same length as their bodies. Typically, their fur ranges from white to brown and their tails have some fur.

Meanwhile, house mice are smaller than deer mice. They usually measure between two or three inches long and have tails that are equal in length.

Roof rats are much larger, growing to about eight inches long. Their tails can be as long as ten inches. Unlike the local mice, roof rats can have black fur and they don’t have any fur on their tails.

why are rodents dangerous?

Worldwide, rodents have spread over 35 diseases. They spread those diseases either directly, or through human contact with their saliva, urine, or feces. One of the most common of these diseases is leptospirosis. While antibiotics can treat leptospirosis, it is far from pleasant.

Rodents also bring other guests into your home, like fleas and ticks. After hitchhiking their way into your residence, fleas and ticks can create discomfort, cause illness, and take over your household.

If you or someone in your home has allergies, mice and rats can cause even more issues. They shed hair and leave behind droppings, both of which trigger allergies.

why rodents are so hard to deter and eliminate

If you’ve ever had a rodent in your home, you know how hard it is to regain your home. There are a few reasons for this.

Prolific Breeders

Local rodents breed at an alarmingly rapid rate. Although you may only start with a handful of rodents, they’ll soon multiply and be out of control.

Sneaky

Whatever species of rodent you have in your home, you can bet they are elusive. They can slip through small cracks and often go unnoticed. Unless you know exactly where to look, you may not be able to find their hiding spots.

Rodents can often go places people would never imagine. They can jump over one foot high and climb rough vertical surfaces. Trying to keep them out of your home is almost impossible.

DIY Methods Are Ineffective

Most DIY methods of rodent control don’t work. For instance, mouse traps don’t always catch mice. To successfully catch a rodent, you need to understand its behavior. This means knowing where to place it. Additionally, rodents can smell humans. If you touch a trap too much, rodents won’t go near it.

Another DIY method is to seal up entrances. Although this could help, it’s unlikely that you’ll find all the potential entrances for rodents. Once again, you need to understand rodent behavior. Without training, you stand no chance against rodents.

There are also some ineffective, gimmicky methods of keeping rodents out. Unfortunately, they waste your money and your time. There’s only one true way to eliminate and deter rodents, and it requires the help of a professional.