RODENTS-
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• Mice •
 The
house mouse, the number one rodent pest, originated in the grassy plains
of central Asia. Early trade merchants and immigrants brought the mouse
westward on ships. Because of their small size and adaptability, mice are
capable if survival in nearly any environment. Their fur is usually dark
gray on the back and light gray on the belly, and they weigh between ½ an
ounce and 1 ounce as an adult.
In cities, the mouse may spend its entire life within buildings. In suburban and rural areas, the mouse may live outdoors. They can be commonly found among weeds or shrubbery near building foundations, or within storage sheds, garages, and crawl spaces beneath buildings. Once inside, mice set up nests near food sources. Nests can be found within walls, closets, ceiling and cabinet voids, large appliances (e.g., the bases of refrigerators and ovens), storage boxes, bureau drawers, desks, and upholstery of furniture. Outdoors, mice construct their nests among debris or in ground burrows.
A female mouse produces eight litters of 4-7 pups in her lifetime, and a normal lifespan is 1-2 years. While mice prefer to eat cereal grains and various seed, they will also seek out peanut butter, meats, nuts, sweet liquids, and candies.
• Rats •
The Norway rat, the most widely distributed rat species in the US, is also known as the house rat, brown rat, wharf rat, sewer rat, water rat, and gray rat. Around 1775, European settlers and trading ships first introduced the rat to the United States. The average adult rat has a stocky body weighing 12-16 ounces. Their body fur is generally course, and ranges in color from reddish to grayish brown with buff white under parts.
The Norway rat is a social animal that lives in
colonies in ground boroughs. In cities, rats nest in the ground when space
is available, but they may also nest and spend their entire lifetime (about
1 year) inside a building. Indoors, the Norway rat prefers to nest around
lower floors of buildings, but when populations grow, they will occupy attic
areas, suspended ceilings, and upper floors. Nests may be located in wall
voids, underneath floors, and in crawl spaces. After mating and a gestation
period of 22 days, the female rat can give birth to a litter of 8-12 pups.
She is capable of producing 4-7 litters per year.
Rodent Control |
