Mice/Rats

Rodents are pesky inconveniences that can cause all sorts of problems for humans. For example, some diseases may be transmitted from direct contact with mice or rats; others indirect by fleas/ticks carried on their fur. These nasty rodents have diseases and damage property in ways that can lead to costly and unexpected repairs to your home and other living spaces!

Rodents have clearly been around for a very long time and their ability to survive hundreds of thousands of years says a lot about their hardiness as a species. The word “rodent” originated in the mid-19th century and is from the Latin rodent, which means “gnawing.”

If that isn’t descriptive enough, an online Dictionary characterizes rodents as “gnawing mammals of an order that includes rats, mice, squirrels, hamsters, porcupines, and their relatives, distinguished by strong constantly growing incisors and no canine teeth.”

You read that correctly. Rodents’ incisors never stop growing. That means they chew and this chewing causes not only damage but also leaves behind messy, potentially health-damaging leavings and droppings – often one of the first signs there is a rodent problem in the first place.

• You see one: Because mice are timid and nocturnal, seeing a mouse is an obvious sign of infestation. Where you see one, there are likely many more.
• Droppings: Mice leave evidence by way of their feces every where they go. They are often one of the first signs there is a problem. Never clean up droppings without using proper respiratory protection!
• Tracks or footprints: Mice leave tiny, but tell-tale footprints as they traverse dusty bookshelves, counters and the like.
• Evidence of chewing: Mice chew and gnaw on paper, food, wood, and other household items because of those teeth we told you about.
• The pitter-pat of little feet: Mice are quick and dash from one place to another. In infested homes or businesses, they can be heard scurrying within walls and/or attics.
• Noticeable odors: Seasoned mice hunters can smell mice even if they can’t see them. They have a distinct odor left behind by urine and feces.

• You see one: If you see a rat during the day, that likely means there are many more. Because of their nocturnal habits, they aren’t often out during the day.
• Noticeable gnaw marks: Because of those ever-growing teeth that we mentioned, rats need to chew. Gnaw marks on wood or other hard surfaces may indicate a rat problem.
• Burrows or nests: Evidence can include holes around the foundation of a home or building. Nests in attics or trees are also favorite rat abodes.
• Scurrying and scratching noises: Rats can make distinguishable sounds as they run around in the walls and/or build their nests.
• Rub marks: We mentioned this one already. Rats use vertical surfaces to guide their way during nighttime excursions. Grease marks from their fur left on walls or the surfaces they touch are signs a rat has been there.
• Droppings: All rodents, including rats, leave a lot of fecal droppings everywhere they go. Never attempt to clean up these droppings without using respiratory protection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), rats and mice spread over 35 diseases worldwide. These diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, or through rodent bites. Diseases carried by rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly, through ticks, mites or fleas that have fed on an infected rodent.