Rodents
House Mouse
Description: Small usually light grey in color and weigh about 1/2 ounce. Adults are 5 to 7 inches in length including the 3 to 4 inch tail. Mice have excellent senses; Hearing, Site, Smell and Touch. They do however have rather poor eyesite. Habitat: Mice can fit through very small openings smaller than the tip of your pinky. They can also jump 12 inches vertically and are excellent climbers. These traits allow the house mouse to become quite a problem at times infultrating homes. Food: Grains, seeds and cereals are their choice, but will also eat what's on hand. Damage/Signs of Presence:Actually seeing rats and mice.
Rodent burrows.
Rodent gnaw marks.
Tunnels in feed.
Rub marks (greasy marks left behind).
Rodent droppings.
Rodent tracks.
Can contaminate much more than they can consume. Mice have a constant urine trail they leave behind.
Moles
Description: Velvety blue-black hair, slender snout and flattened feet are the primary features of the mole. Commonly mistaken for voles and shrews. The naked nose and small eyes and ears hidden by it's fur is a way to tell them apart. Habitat: Active all year long do not heibernate and have tunnel structures deep in the ground and just below the surface. Can tunnel up to 100 feet in a day. Food: Worms, grubs and beetles are their main food source. Damage/Signs of Presence: Extensive damage can be caused to lawns and gardens. When moles tunnel just below the surface of the lawn. Leaving a tunnel upheave in the lawn. Life Cycle: Mate in February and March have one single litter of 3 to 5 young late in the Spring. Management: Treating the tunnel structures with a bait has been most effective.Norway Rat
Description: Weights can vary, but most often weigh just under a pound. Body length around 6 to 8 inches with the tail being shorter than the head and body combined. Norway Rats have a blunt nose and small eyes & ears. Habitat: Prefers to live underground in tunnels, but will also make a nesting area of choise if conditions are right. Most activity is at night if day time sightings are reported the population level could be high. Norway Rats continually gnaw on wood and other material not only to gain access into areas but because they must keep their front teeth worn down or they could continue to grow to the point of death. Food: Prefer foods with high protein or carbohydrates but will eat almost anything. What's very important? Rats unlike mice must have water source to survive. Damage/Signs of Presence:Norway Rats contaminate more than they consume. They can also pose a risk of fire by gnawing through wiring. They also undermine foundations making them weak.
Actually seeing rats and mice.
Rodent burrows.
Rodent gnaw marks.
Tunnels in feed.
Rub marks (greasy marks left behind).
Rodent droppings.
Rodent tracks.