Rodents

Why is rodent control so important? Throughout human history rodents have been an important host animal to many diseases and plagues. Rodents are the host of external parasites such as fleas and ticks that directly cause several diseases.  Some of these diseases include Plague, Typhus, Leptospirous, Rat Bite Fever, Rabies and the more recently documented Hantavirus. Hantavirus is a rarely contracted disease but it can be fatal even with treatment. The virus is found in the droppings and urine of deer mouse or white footed mouse. Be very careful when handling these droppings.

Rodents also soil our indoor environments with urine and rodent faeces. Studies have shown that these droppings are a major allergen for children with asthma. Rodents contaminate our food supplies with potentially harmful germs and bacteria. It’s very important to eliminate rodent problems as soon as they appear.

 

What physical damage do rodents cause?  In addition to the disease causing potential of rodents they also can be quite destructive.  Rodent’s front teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime. The rodent must continually gnaw on objects to wear down these teeth so they do not grow too long. This gnawing activity can cause damage to electrical lines, burglar alarms and to the base of doors and entrance ways. Rodents will also seek out soft nesting materials and will gnaw at items stored in basements, sheds and garages. These items include patio furniture cushions, pool covers, stored clothing and bedding.

 

House Mouse (Mus Domesticus)

Visual ID
Ears: Large in proportion to body
Snout: Pointed
Weight & Size adult: Approx.3/4-1 oz. / 6-7 inches in length (tip of nose to end of tail)
Fur: Silky dusty grey, brown-grey.
Droppings: Approximately 1/4 inch long, pointed at both ends. About the size of rice but dark in colour.

Biology
Young mice reach sexual maturity in approx. 1 1/2 months and they will have up to 8 litters per year, with an average litter size of 5-6 young. Mice have a life span of less than 12 months in the wild.  Indoors the house mouse generally prefers to live in wall voids, under spaces below cabinets & furniture and under the insulation of basements and lofts. 
Mice are omnivores and will consume the same foods as humans. Mice do not need a daily water source as they can metabolize water from the foods they consume. Mice usually live in a territory of 10-20 feet for this reason it is necessary to make many trap and bait placements to cover an entire house or structure. Mice are nocturnal, with their peak activity at dusk or before dawn. You may see activity during the day when the populations are high.

Section----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rats (Rattus Rattus)

Visual ID
Ears: Small in proportion to body
Snout: Blunt
Weight & Size adult: Approx.10-18 oz. / 12-18 inches in length (tip of nose to end of tail)
Fur: Coarse, generally red-brown to grey-brown.
Droppings: 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, blunt at ends approx. 3 times as long as wide.

Biology

Young rats reach sexual maturity in 2-3 months and they will have an average of 4 to 7 litters a year, with 8-12 young per litter. Rats live approximately 6-12 months in the wild.  The Norway rat generally prefers to live in underground tunnels and tend to live in colonies.  Rats will also live in sewers and drain pipes. The Norway Rat is an excellent swimmer and have been known to swim through pipes to access a structure .Rats are omnivores and will consume many different types of foods. Unlike mice, rats need a daily water source. They can obtain water from toilets, sinks, puddles, or from condensation on utility pipes.  Rats are suspicious of changes in their environment or new foods, for this reason it may take a couple of days for rats to frequent traps or rodent bait. Rats are nocturnal, with their peak activity at dusk or before dawn. You may see activity during the day when the populations are high as they try to gain a food advantage.

 

Entry points