Rodent Control in Springfield, MA

Common Rats and Mice Found in Springfield, MA

The most commonly found rat species in Massachusetts is the Norway Rat, or as it’s also known, the brown rat. Either brown or gray in hue, this rat species can grow to nearly a foot in length, not counting its tail that can nearly double its length. In adulthood, a Norway rat might weigh a pound. Once in someone’s home, they can rapidly reproduce with one single female giving birth to up to a dozen offspring at once, doing so perhaps seven times annually.

Mice, including the deer mouse, house mouse, and white-footed mouse, slip into Springfield homes in cracks as tiny as one-quarter of an inch. Once inside, a few mice can quickly turn into a large infestation.

Health Risks and Property Damage Caused by Rodents

Rodent infestations in Springfield homes present serious health and safety risks, especially in older properties with basements, crawl spaces, and aging utility access points. The CDC lists dozens of diseases (bacterial, viral, and parasitic ones) that can be transmitted directly or indirectly. These include rabies, hantavirus, and rat bite fever spread through bites and contact with rodent feces, saliva, urine, or fur. Indirectly, fleas, ticks, and other pests can bite an infected rodent and then bite a person, spreading disease.

Rats also damage homes by the constant gnawing they do to keep their teeth sharp. They chew through the wood, plaster, soft metal, and plastic in a house, wreaking havoc and causing structural damage—and, when the creatures chew through house wires, this has the potential to trigger a fire. Rats can harm the integrity of a home’s foundation; damage walls, ceilings, and insulation; and create conditions conducive to mold.

Rodents get into people’s food supplies, too, leaving behind contaminating droppings and urine. They do the same with pet food.