Rodent Identification & Prevention

What are rodents?

The best way to tell the difference between a rodent and another type of animal is by their front incisors. Every rodent has continuously growing front incisors that they sharpen and prevent from overgrowing by constantly chewing on objects they come across. Their excessive chewing habits are among the many reasons we don't want rodents living in our yards or homes.

Mice, gophers, and voles are all types of rodents that, over time, have come to be a continuous source of frustration for Idaho Falls homes and business owners. 

Mice have an oval-shaped body covered in gray, brown, or black fur, with the belly covered in lighter colored fur. Mice are known for having large ears and a long skinny tail covered in a soft layer of velvety fur. Their head is a triangular shape, and they have a more pointed nose.

Gophers are larger than mice and voles, but like voles live outside in our yards. These powerful rodents have stout bodies, short necks, blunt noses, and tannish or brown fur. Their short front legs and claws are powerful and used to tunnel through the soil.

Voles are small rodents with little ears, a short fur-covered tail, a rounded nose, and a round body covered in black or dark brown fur.

Are rodents dangerous?

Rodents are dangerous. They damage our lawns, the structures of our homes, and can negatively affect our health.

Gophers and voles both cause unsightly damage to our yards. Voles travel through our grass, creating trails or runways as they feed on and damage the grass. When food is scarce in the winter, they damage trees by feeding on their bark. Gophers tunnel through the ground and feed on plant or grass roots, causing significant damage or plant death. Their tunnels can extend under driveways, cement slabs, and foundations, causing structural damage.

Mice often end up in our homes, where they are the most problematic. They chew through and damage structural elements like wires and pipes, contaminate food and surfaces with their saliva and excrement, and spread bacteria, diseases, and parasites that make people ill.

Why do I have a rodent problem?

The reason why rodents have become a problem on your Idaho Falls property is that it offers them access to food, water, and shelter. The unfortunate truth is that most of our Idaho homes and yards provide rodents with the things they need to survive; rodents know this and have adapted to take advantage of living with people.

Where will I find rodents?

You'll find rodents foraging for food and nesting in various places, both indoors and outdoors, depending on their species.

While voles sometimes wind up in our homes, they are mainly outdoor pests. Voles live in gardens, grass, and flower beds. Gophers are an outdoor pest. Loose, sandy soil and areas of land with irrigation systems attract these vegetarians. Gophers tend to be most problematic in yards close to open spaces like meadows, fields, parks, and golf courses.

Mice live in our yards in woodpiles, under fallen trees, in gardens, dense vegetation, and under decks, sheds, and porches. But, mice don't usually stay outside; they often find their way into our homes to nest and forage for food. Inside, they retreat to quiet places like wall voids, behind large appliances, and to basements, attics, and closets. Exclusion services can help keep rodents out of your home.

How do I get rid of rodents?

Don't share your home with unwanted rodents for another day! Let Falls Pest Services rid them from your indoor and outdoor spaces. Using our customized services, we will meet all your pest control needs, and rodents will understand they are no longer welcome in your home.

Falls Pest Services is a local company dedicated to providing our customers with affordable and effective pest control services performed by knowledgeable and friendly professionals. Whether you are a home or business owner, Falls Pest Services can help you solve your current rodent problems and help you reach your goal of maintaining a property free of rodents and other pests.

For more information about our rodent control options and additional pest control programs in Idaho Falls, reach out to us today!

How can I prevent rodents in the future?

The best way to prevent problems with rodents and other pests is to put in place a year-round pest control program. In conjunction with professional home pest control and commercial pest control services, the following tips can help you avoid problems with rodents in your Idaho Falls home.

• Caulk cracks in the foundation, seal spaces with weatherstripping around windows and doors, and place caps on chimneys to help keep rodents out of your home.
• Remove brush, woodpiles, and other debris from your yard where rodents can hide.
• Mow your lawn weekly to keep the grass short and less appealing to voles and gophers.
• Fill in any ground holes you discover on your property.
• If possible, use raised planting boxes in garden areas to stop gophers from digging through your gardens and damaging the plants.
• Keep lids on trash cans to prevent rodents from foraging for food in them.