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Rodents

Mice and Rats Find a Way In — We’ll Help You Seal Them Out

If you’ve seen signs of rodent activity, chances are they’ve already made themselves at home.

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Pest Library > Pest Library: Rodents

Rodents

Rodents pose a threat to your home and health. Rodents are known to carry over 35 different diseases that can be spread to humans through bite wounds, consumption of food or water contaminated with rodent feces, contact with fecal-contaminated surfaces, or from breathing in germs present in rodent urine or droppings.

Rodents can gnaw through just about anything. They use their two large incisors to chew through electrical wires, which can cause fires. Rodents enter homes in search of food and water. Signs rodents may be present include droppings and urine, gnawed objects, rub marks, burrows, or squeaking and scurrying sounds.

The house mouse is commonly grayish, but the color can vary. The body is roughly 3 – 4 inches in length, with the tail being of equal length. The muzzle is pointy, the ears are large, and the eyes are small.

What is the Mouse Diet?

House mice will eat most foods humans eat, such as cereals, fruit, grains, meats, seeds, sweets, and vegetables. However, mice will eat almost anything if their preferred food is not available. They generally have 2 main feedings, one in the evening and another just before dawn, with numerous small feedings in between.

What is the Mouse Reproductive Cycle?

Mice become sexually mature and able to mate in just about 5 weeks time. Sexual maturity is reached in only 5-8 weeks. Female mice reproduce up to 8 times in their lifespan and can produce litters ranging from 4-7 pups. Therefore, a single female house mouse can produce up to 56 offspring annually.

Where do Mice Live?

House mice prefer to nest in dark, quiet areas, where they may go undisturbed. An area with nesting material such as paper, cotton, insulation, or fabric is ideal. An opening as small as 1/4 inch is adequate for entry.

Mice are inquisitive and explore anything that is new and different. They are nibblers and may chew on electrical wires, causing a fire hazard. Although the major health risk associated with the house mouse is Salmonella and leptospirosis.

Why are Mice a Pest?

While some consider them to be cute in appearance, as a house guest, they can create health risks for you and your family, as well as cause structural damage to wires, insulation, and sheet rock.  If you have a mouse problem, don’t try to tackle it alone. Give Modern Pest Services a call today at 1-800-323-7378 or get an instant online quote for the comprehensive HomeCare Green program that controls 60 common pests,  year-round – including mice!

The head and body of the Norway rat ranges from 7 1/2 to 9 1/2 inches in length. The scaly tail is 6 to 8 inches in length. Their fur is shaggy brown with some black hairs. They have small eyes and ears.

What is the Norway Rat Diet?

Norway rats prefer to eat meat, fish, and cereals. They will chew through almost anything to get to food or water.

What is the Norway Rat Reproductive Cycle?

Adult Norway rats usually live between 6 to 12 months. Generally producing 3 – 6 litters, with an average of 7 – 8 young per litter.

Where do Norway Rats Live?

Norway rats are nocturnal and quite cautious, usually not straying more than 100 – 150 feet from their nest. They can enter a structure through an opening as small as a 1/2 inch. Indoors, they prefer to nest on the lower levels, such as a basement. Outdoors, they burrow in soil, under sidewalks, near streams and rivers, in piles of garbage, etc.

Why are Norway Rats a Pest?

Norway rats as a house guest can create health risks for you and your family, as well as cause structural damage to wires, insulation, and sheetrock.  If you have a rat problem, don’t try to tackle it alone. Give Modern Pest Services a call today at 1-800-323-7378 or get an instant online quote for the comprehensive HomeCare Green program that controls over 50 common pests year-round, including Norway rats!

From the head to the rear end of the body, not including the tail, the roof rat is about 6 – 8 inches in length. The tail is an additional 7 to 10 inches. The color is gray to black, with the belly being white, gray, or black. It has large eyes and ears and a scaly tail.

What is the Roof Rat Diet?

Roof rats will eat almost anything if necessary, but prefer such foods as fruits, vegetables, and cereals.

What is the Roof Rat Reproductive Cycle?

Roof rats reach sexual maturity at about 2 to 5 month of age. The female averages 4 to 6 litters per year, with an average of 7 young per litter.

Where do Roof Rats Live?

Roof rats are nocturnal, cautious, and shy about new objects or changes in their environment. They have poor vision, but a keen sense of smell, taste, hearing, and touch. Roof rats are so named, because they prefer nesting in upper structures, such as attics. Outdoors, likely nesting spots are trees, clinging vines, fences, etc., although it is not unheard of for them to burrow underground or live on ground floors in structures. They can enter structures through an opening 1/2″ or larger. Rats are associated with the transmission of several diseases and occasional bites.

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