Rodent Pest Control Services

Schedule Service at 830-431-1960

Rodent Pest Control

Mice and rats are common rodents in the Texas Hill Country. If the sight of a rodent has you climbing on a chair, you’re not alone! Mice and rats invade an estimated 21 million homes each winter in the US.

These unwanted pests make their way indoors in search of shelter, food, and water. Typically, they move indoors between November and February when it’s cold outside in Texas.

Mice and rats are a serious problem. They cause extensive damage once inside your home. They chew woodwork and electrical wires, contaminate food, and leave behind harmful waste.

Mice and rats carry infectious diseases that put your family’s health at risk.

And when rodents come into your home, they usually bring along lice, ticks, fleas, mites, and other parasites.

Protect your home and family. If you suspect a rodent infestation, put Covenant Pest Control on speed dial. We’ll come right out and remedy the situation. Call 830-431-1960 to schedule your free consultation today!

Rodent Identification

The first step to eliminating a mouse or rat infestation is to identify the rodent.

There are several common species of rodents found in Texas:

1. Norway Rat

The Norway rat is the most common rodent found in Texas. It is also known as a sewer rat, house rat, or grey rat. Norway rats burrow in the ground and are often found hiding in outside clutter such as woodpiles and garbage. They have a rounded snout, black beady eyes, and small ears. Norway rats measure 7-9 ½ inches long from nose to tail.

2. Roof Rat

The Roof rat looks similar to the Norway rat with its round nose, small ears, and thick tail. It can grow as long as 16 inches. Its fur is a shade of brown and black with a gray-white or black underbelly. Roof rats are commonly known as ship rats or black rats. As their name implies, they like to climb and will inhabit anywhere they can find food.

3. House Mouse

House mice measure 5 ½ – 7 inches in length including its tail. They have pointed noses, black eyes, and thin tails. House mice look cute and cuddly with grey or brown fur and a white belly. But don’t be fooled by their cuddly appearance. They can enter your home through just a tiny crevice, often go undetected, and then create a fire and health hazard.

4. Deer Mouse (Field Mouse)

Deer mice prefer to live outdoors in a shed or barn but will inhabit your home as well. They have brown fur and a cream-colored underbelly. Measuring only 5-8 inches long, they too can squeeze through the smallest of openings.

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A Rodent’s Life Cycle

Rats and Mice are mammals. All mammals’ bodies are covered with hair or fur, and they give birth to live young.

Rats

Rats mature in about 3 weeks and begin mating in about 5 weeks. In general, rats produce 7 offspring per litter but have been known to produce up to 14. Typical gestation periods last only a few weeks. Each female rat can reproduce around 5 times a year. The average life expectancy of a rat is about 2-3 years.

Mice

Mice are born hairless and blind. They begin to develop fur and sight after about 2 weeks. Mice reach maturity and begin to mate about 2 months after birth. Pregnancies last approximately 3 weeks and often produce 5 to 8 pups per liter. Mice reproduce 5-10 times per year. On average, each female mouse gives birth to up to 60 babies a year. Their rapid breeding makes it hard to control an infestation. Mice on average live for about 9-18 months.

What do rodents eat?

Rats are meat eaters and will eat all types of rotten fish, poultry, and red meat. In residential areas, rats will feed from unsealed garbage cans.

Mice prefer seeds, grains, and nuts instead of animal products like rats. In the home, mice are generally a problem in your pantry where they go in search of their next meal.

What attracts mice to your property?

There are two main reasons mice and rats inhabit your home – food and shelter — especially during the winter months.

When the outside temperatures drop, rodents look for hidden spaces to nest like your walls, attic, and insulation. These areas offer both shelter and protection from predators. They also look for materials like shredded paper, cotton, and pet hair to make a warm nest.

When food sources are scarce outside, hungry mice and rats go in search of crumbs and improperly stored food in your pantry to create their own feast. Pet foods, bird seeds and other animal feeds can mean an easy meal even if it’s stored in a heavy plastic container. For feed left in barns or sheds, sealed metal storage like garbage cans is a must.

Rodent Prevention

The best protection against a rodent infestation is to make your home less attractive.

Here are 8 rodent prevention tips:

Store food in sealed containers (metal if outside) and keep food prep areas clean.
Clean up spills and messes promptly.
Don’t leave pet food bowls out overnight.
Cover garbage cans with secured lids.
Seal all possible entry points with caulking, weather stripping, or a wire screen.
Place steel wool in vent openings – rodents are unable to chew through steel wool.
Remove clutter and debris from around the outside of your home.
Dispose of nesting materials such as cardboard and old newspapers.

What are the signs of a rodent infestation?

While you may not always see the rodent, they leave behind these tell-tale signs of an infestation:

Scratch or chew marks on baseboards, cabinets, and shelves
Chew marks on your food packaging or plastic containers
Food crumbs on your shelves and in your pantry
Oblong pellet droppings commonly found under sinks and in the corners of cabinets
Squeaking or scratching noises behind your walls, especially at night
Rodent nests made of fabric, shredded paper, pet hair, or other soft material
Unusual pet behavior such as barking, scratching, or pawing at or under appliances

How can I get rid of rodents on my own?

There are several ways to repel rodents naturally:

If rodents are already a problem in your home, you may have difficulty getting rid of them on your own and show request professional help from Covenant Pest Control.

However, for those who want to attempt to eliminate mice and rats on their own, give these recommendations a try:

Spray around the perimeter of your home with a mix of apple cider vinegar and water. Reapply at least once a month.
Strategically place fabric softener sheets in drawers, cupboards, under sinks, and into entry points.
Soak cotton balls in strong-smelling essential oils such as peppermint or clove oil and place them in areas where you’ve spotted evidence of rodent activity.
Make a homemade hot pepper spray using chili flakes, sliced habaneros peppers, dish soap, and water. Spray the mixture in areas you’ve spotted rodents. Keep in mind not to spray on clothing, furniture, or anywhere you or your pets frequent as the mixture will irritate the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Adopt a cat. Cats are one of the most effective rodent deterrents.
Set out traps and bait the rodents with peanut butter, cheese, or dried fruit. Once you trap a rodent, be sure to release it at least one mile from your home.
Purchase ultrasonic units from your local hardware store. Using sound can be an effective way to keep rodents at bay.
Place a dehumidifier in your attic, crawl spaces, and basements to keep these places dry and well-ventilated making them less attractive to rodents.

Using a combination of several of these natural rodent deterrents may be an effective way to help keep rodents away from your home. However, if rodents continue to be a problem, give us a call.

Are rats harder to get rid of than mice?

Yes, rats are more difficult to effectively eliminate than mice. Rats are naturally more suspicious whereas mice are more curious. Rats are wary of traps and bait requiring more time and effort to manage the problem. Rats are also larger and more aggressive than mice. Because of their larger size, a single rat can cause more damage to your home than a single mouse.

If you are dealing with rats, we recommend relying on professional rodent pest control.

Schedule a Pest Control Services

Rodent bait boxes have small openings to prevent pets from entering.

Call Covenant Pest Control at 830-431-1960 for your FREE consultation.

Our professional pest control technicians will come out to your home and provide a comprehensive inspection. First, we’ll identify the unwanted rodents and potential entry points. and inspect your home for damage. Then we’ll give you a customized pest management plan to eliminate rodents effectively and safely from your home.

Generally, a rodent bait box is the best method for eliminating unwanted rodents from your property. When you utilize our integrated pest management plan, we’ll keep your rodent bait boxes stocked with bait each time we perform services. We can also manage bait boxes as a stand-alone service or in combination with our yard pest control services or mosquito fogging.

What guarantee do I have that the rodents have been eliminated?

Covenant Pest Control will use the safest method possible to eliminate your rodent infestation. If a problem arises between regularly scheduled services, we’ll come back out to retreat free of charge. You have our word on it. All our services are backed by our IRON-CLAD GUARANTEE. Give us a call today to schedule your rodent control services.

Covenant Pest Control is a Texas Pest Control Company serving in and around the Texas Hill Country

Pest Control in & near: Bergheim, Boerne, Bulverde, Comfort, Cross Mountain, The Dominion of San Antonio, Grey Forest, Fair Oaks Ranch, Helotes, Kendalia, Leon Springs, Nelson City, Pipe Creek, Sisterdale, Spring Branch, Waring, Welfare.

Neighborhoods of : Cordillera, Esperanza, Herff Ranch, River Crossing, Tapatio Springs and more