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Food and shelter are the primary reasons for rats and mice to enter a home. Three types of common rodents are the Roof Rat, Norway Rat and House Mouse. When invading a structure they are a double threat. The first threat is extensive damage to food and structures as well as stored clothing and documents. The second threat is that they are also carriers of many diseases which include: Rat-bite fever, Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease), Murin Typhus, Rickettsial Pox, Plague, Trichinosis, Typhoid, Dysentery, Salmonellosis, Hymenolepis Tapeworms, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis and Rabies.
The house mouse is secretive and therefore comes out at night. Generally, they can be detected from damage to food products, the presence of droppings or being seen scurrying along a baseboard or behind an object when surprised. They can climb any rough vertical surface and can jump 12 inches vertically.
Color: light brown to gray
Length: 5-1/2 to 7-1/2 inches long (including a 3-4 inch tail)
Tail: as long as body and head
Droppings: rod-shaped with pointed ends; 1/8 to 1/4 inch long
Roof rats, or black rats, are excellent climbers. They like to nest in attics, inside walls or trees. Their preferred method of entry into a structure is by way of a tree or power line. They eat fruit and human food or pet food. You will know you have them if you see droppings or damage from gnawing. You may also hear the sounds of scratching, squeaking or gnawing in walls or above ceilings. They range over 50 yards from their nests as they look for food and water.
Body length: 6-8 inches
Tail: 7-10 inches; longer than head and body; scaly in appearance
Fur/Color: usually brown and black mix; smooth and soft fur
Droppings: spindle-shaped with pointed ends; up to 1/2 inch long
To read more about Norway Rats, Prevention and Control follow
go to www.PestControlbook.com to download
your FREE copy of the complete book, "Secrets to a Pest Free Home " (a $6.95 value)
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