About Panda Pest Rodent Control
Through our targeted rodent control in Queen Creek, AZ, our team at Panda Pest Control has kept homes and businesses critter-free for more than 15 years. With a slew of rodent types in our area, it can be challenging to keep each species out, given that they all require different methods to remove, exclude, and prevent their return. Luckily, we are also Arizona natives, giving us an edge over other companies because of our in-depth experience dealing with our resident animals.
When we think of rodents, most would automatically visualize rats or mice. While there are more to consider, such as squirrels and groundhogs, you’re not exactly wrong, either. Most types in Queen Creek are subspecies of rats, including roof rats and woodrats. Other kinds that frequent our town are house mice and gophers.
No matter the pest issue at hand, trust that we are the right rodent control company for the job. With our relentless pursuit of a cleaner property for each of our clients, we also guarantee to use only eco-friendly products, leaving no traces of toxins and putting your well-being as the top priority. Let’s get you that rodent-free space you’ve been dreaming of. Contact us for an inspection today!
Roof Rats
Physical Appearance: Roof rats have predominantly brown fur with some traces of black. Their muzzles are pointed while their bodies are slender, often only growing between 6 to 8 inches. Their scaled tail adds another 6 to 8 inches. They have large ears and eyes, with bald soles on their hind feet.
Habits: Thanks to their name, it’s easy to remember where these rats commonly hide. Apart from rooftops, however, they frequent attics, storage areas, and thick green spaces such as shrubs or fruit trees. It’s no surprise that these pesky crawlers are also limber climbers. They have a knack for staying up at night and resting while the sun’s out, making it easier for them to stealthily enter through tiny holes in your building while everyone is asleep. Similar to cats, they can fall from great heights with little to no injuries and jump a few feet despite their size.
Reproduction: Roof rats are the most common rats in Queen Creek, and as your seasoned rodent removal company, we can confirm they multiply quickly and are difficult to catch. This is a power combo for a recurring infestation. A single female can produce four to six litters per year, each one typically consisting of 8 pups. They are capable of reproducing no matter what the weather conditions are. Within 3 months, the young will be sexually mature, allowing for the next generation to start their process. The lifespan of a roof rat is 12 months on average.
Primary Problem: Roof rats are health hazards as they can contaminate surfaces through their droppings, urine, and saliva. Though uncommon, roof rats can also bite humans when threatened, which opens the door to a handful of transmitted diseases such as rat-bite fever, typhus, and salmonellosis. They can also gnaw through wood and water pipes, chewing on electrical wires, and trampling insulation to create nests.
Tips for Prevention: The best preventative measures against roof rats are exclusion techniques installed by professional Queen Creek rodent control technicians. An example would be installing screens on chimneys, vents, and other entry points by the roof.
House Mice
Physical Appearance: House mice are tiny invaders, reaching only 7 inches in length, which already includes their tails. Like other types of mice, they have large ears often disproportionate to their head. They also have small eyes, a pointed snout, very small feet, and are typically gray or brown with a yellow-brown underbelly.
Habits: These mice are notoriously hyperactive, always scurrying from one point to the other. However, most of their activities are done at night as they spend most of their days in nesting sites tucked away in dark and secluded corners. When outdoors, they like to burrow into soil and create nests out of dry grass. When it’s time to look for food, their main target for sustenance are seeds, grains, nuts, and sweets. Those who find their way into homes are also highly attracted to bacon and butter.
Reproduction: House mice can live for an average of two years and produce up to 14 litters per year, each consisting of about six to eight young. They can breed no matter the season if they have found suitable nesting sites indoors. However, those that stay outdoors typically only reproduce in the spring, summer, or fall seasons in order to hibernate during winter. Females sexually mature at only six weeks old, adding to the increase in reproduction rate.
Primary Problem: Since house mice are attracted to food waste and trash, the primary health concern would be them getting into your kitchen, pantry, and garbage bins inside your home. Damage to wiring, insulation, and drywall is also a common occurrence. Because of their size, they can squeeze into hidden areas and contaminate the dust, leading to poor air quality and respiratory issues.
Tips for Prevention: The best way to prevent house mice is by reducing their access to food waste, trash, and clutter. This can be done through installing screens, and baits, regularly cleaning debris, and frequently disposing trash.
Woodrats
Physical Appearance: Woodrats are often large rodents and can grow to be 18 inches long, including their tails. They typically have long fur that is brown or gray in color and a furry tail that starts off black or brown at the tip but gradually turns white at the bottom. They have large ears, long whiskers, and big eyes.
Habits: A distinctive characteristic of woodrats is their fascination with shiny things. They like to collect non-food items that are somewhat reflective including jewelry, coins, glass, mirrors, keys, and similar variety. They also like to gather wood, rocks, and twigs. These rodents prefer to build large nests either atop trees or within attics. Once they’ve gathered enough twigs and leaves for nests, they urinate on them to cement things in place.
Reproduction: Unlike other rodents, woodrats don’t typically reproduce fast. They usually only give birth to one to three litters per year, each litter only having up to five offspring. This is a general estimate as the numbers can vary by woodrat subspecies.
Primary Problem: The main problem with woodrats aside from the usual damage to structures and health hazards due to contamination, is that they steal away tiny objects. This can be a major problem especially if they get a hold of things that have sentimental value such as wedding rings and other jewelry.
Tips for Prevention: Eliminate anything that can attract them such as small and shiny objects lying around, leaves, twigs, and food. When it comes to rodents, it is also highly advisable to hire rodent control experts to seal all potential entry points and remedy areas that have been chewed through.
Gophers
Physical Appearance: Gophers can grow to be 4 to 18 inches long, depending on the subspecies. They all have short necks, big cheeks, stout tails, large claws, and big front teeth. They can range from white, brown, and black, but have the ability to blend with the environment they are in. Their small eyes and ears are highly proficient at sensing light or vibrations, which is especially helpful when digging tunnels.
Habits: Apart from when they are breeding, gophers often like to be left alone. They are notorious diggers, spending most of their time underground and building tunnels that disrupt surface-level vegetation. Because they are used to solitude, they can be aggressive when coming into contact with humans or other animals. They instinctively bite others, resulting in serious injuries. However, they do not eat other animals as their main source of sustenance comes from grass, seeds, roots, and vegetables.
Reproduction: Gophers can breed throughout the year with the highest level of activity reported in late winter to early spring. Females often have only three litters per year with about five to ten pups per batch. Female gophers can start maturing sexually as early as 6 months old.
Primary Problem: Because they are burrowing animals, the primary pain point when it comes to gophers is the damage they cause to gardens, structural foundations, and irrigation systems. This can affect the water supply, durability of your building, and the soil mounds can also interfere with mowing equipment or act as tripping hazards,
Tips for Prevention: Installing barriers that block entry points above and at least 18 inches below ground is one of the best ways to prevent gophers. Netting, gravel, and other strategies may also be employed by professionals that offer rodent control for indoors and outdoors.
How can our Queen Creek, AZ rodent removal experts serve you?
FAQs
Why are gophers attracted to my yard?
The three main reasons gophers are attracted to your yard are moist and loose soil that makes it easy to dig into, ample vegetation to take shelter in, and food sources like plants and tubers. Providing all three without any preventive maintenance is a sure way to have gophers tunnel through your property on a regular basis.
Do gophers breed in houses?
While gophers typically breed in underground chambers, their reproducing within structures and homes is possible if they find their way into crawlspaces and foundations. They can also make their way inside houses through plumbing lines, finding shelter under bathtubs, cupboards, or within walls.
Do gophers bite humans?
Since gophers spend most of their time underground, the chances of humans or pets getting bitten are slim. However, on the occasion that they forage above ground and cross paths with others, they may feel threatened and would be compelled to bite in an act of self-defense.
Can rats come back after removal?
Yes, even after a successful removal and extermination of the rat population on your property, reinfestation can still happen. This is especially true for areas that continue to provide ample food sources, accessible entryways, and multiple options for shelter. Through rodent control for indoors and outdoors, you get a better chance at keeping them away long-term.
Are rats aggressive?
In general, rats are not aggressive. If they see humans or other animals walking towards them or entering the same space, their natural reaction is to run and hide away. However, in instances when they feel threatened, are in pain, or are handled, they can try to bite or fight their way out of the situation.
What is the best solution if a rat bites me?
Wash the area with soap and water to reduce the potency of their saliva and the chances of infection. Afterwards, we strongly advise you to seek medical attention right away as you may need to get an anti-tetanus or anti-rabies shot.
Can I get rid of mice myself?
Using baited traps, sealing entry points, and improving how you store food and water can all help you reduce the mouse activity on your property. It is important to note, however, that their population can expand rapidly, making it difficult to achieve total elimination. This is when hiring professional rodent control in Queen Creek, AZ comes in handy.
What is the difference between rats and mice?
Rats and mice are similar in many aspects but the primary disparity between them is their size. Rats are much larger and have thicker, hairless tails. Mice have slim and hairy tails. When it comes to their habits, mice are often more curious while rats tend to err on the side of caution.
How often is rodent control needed in Arizona?
We recommend scheduling professional rodent control once every quarter or bi-monthly. However, depending on the intensity of the infestation, some properties may need more frequent visits to fully resolve the rodent issue.
How do I know if rodents have infested my property?
Tell-tale signs of the infestation include droppings, uring, gnaw marks on walls, chewed wires, squeaking noises, tiny footsteps coming from the attic or other storage areas, and also spotting one in your home. If you have seen a solo mouse or rat, trust that there are more waiting for them in their hideaway.
The Rodent Problem
Whether you have rats, mice, gophers, squirrels, or other types of rodents taking shelter in your home or business, it’s time to get professional technicians in and make your space safe again. While they tend to keep out of sight, this does not mean the silent damage won’t add up eventually. From chewed wood, broken electrical wires, contaminated food and water, to the bacteria that is infiltrating your air, rodents can cause multiple issues. Contact us today for expert rodent control in Queen Creek!
