The Difference Between Voles And Mice In Riverton

vole
|

There are many different kinds of rodents in Riverton. Most can be split into one of two categories, home rodents and ground rodents. Mice and voles are great examples of rodents in these two categories. Here are some things to consider about these problematic property pests, like how to tell them apart and what problems each cause.

What Are Voles In Riverton?

A vole is 4 to 8 ½” long, depending on the species, brown or grey in color, and has a compact stocky body, short legs, and a medium-length tail. These ground rodents prefer to live outdoors and are rarely found trying to invade homes. You are most likely to find these furry pests in your yard, digging tunnels, eating garden plants, and causing other problems. Something that mice and voles share in common is that they are both nocturnal rodents. If you don’t see voles during the day but notice small paths of compacted or dead turf in your lawn, or damage to your plants, it’s safe to assume that they might be around.

What Are Mice In Riverton?

The house mouse, the most common home-invading mouse in the area, is 2 ½ to 3 ¾” long, has a plump body, and is dusty gray in color with a cream-colored belly. These home rodents love to break into homes and cause trouble with their nibbling and the noises they make at night. It is not uncommon for mice to gnaw holes through walls, nibble on furniture legs, tear up insulation, paper, and fabrics, and damage other things indoors. To identify these nocturnal rodents, look for pellets of fecal droppings, damaged property, and listen at night for pitter-pattering in your wall and ceiling voids. 

Are Voles Dangerous In Riverton?

Both voles and mice are dangerous in their own ways. To start, voles and mice can carry diseases inside their bodies and spread sickness vectors with their fecal droppings, urine, and bites. The good news is that both of these pests are non-aggressive and unlikely to bite. That said, some of the diseases you can get from these rodents are salmonellosis, hantavirus, and rat-bite fever.

Another way voles and mice threaten homeowners here in Riverton is by carrying fleas and ticks onto properties. These smaller parasitic bugs hop off rodents in and around homes and are vectors for many dangerous diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, and murine typhus. If you have indoor pets or outdoor pets without proper protection, their health could be affected by these problematic parasites.

Five Prevention Tips For Rodents

  • Address moisture problems.

  • Limit rodents’ access to food sources.

  • Seal entry points around your home’s exterior.

  • Store leftover food inside air-tight containers.

  • Make sure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.

  • Keep your yard and living areas clean and tidy.

  • Fill in holes on your property.

What To Do About Voles In My Riverton Home

If you suspect your property has a problem with voles and you are seeking a solution to get them to go away fast, consider getting a professional involved. At Tanner Pest Control, we offer detailed rodent service options to help residents around Riverton identify voles and mice. And we have advanced pest control measures to remove these pests from properties. If you need a detailed strategy to keep rodents off your property through every season, we offer year-round professional abatement and prevention plans.

Contact us today and discuss your options with one of our friendly representatives. They will answer any questions you have and quote a price for service for your Riverton home.