Rodents
There are many types of rodents in the desert of Arizona. Many of them don't pose much of a concern to us. However, some species of mice and rats pose major concerns. Mice and rats are extremely adaptable to almost any environment and because of this are very successful mammals. Some species of mice and rats have evolved to being used to human habitats. Add in their high rate of reproduction and we have animals that become competitors against humans.
Along with health concerns, rodents have to gnaw on things to wear down their teeth. Rodents are the only mammals whose teeth never stop growing, if they don't wear them down they will die. They gnaw on nearly everything including wires, wood, metal and nearly any other solid material you can think of resulting in extensive and costly damages to a home or business.
Here are the most common rodent pests that we encounter here in the valley.
House Mice
Nesting- Prefers dark, protected areas in fields, grassy or wooded areas or in clutter around buildings. They will readily invade structures when temperatures become too cold outdoors.
Appearance-Small, gray body, cream colored belly with small heads and feet.
Habits-They are nocturnal so they are rarely seen in the day time. If they are seen during the day it's likely that populations have gotten very high. They are also great climbers allowing them to reach almost any area of a building. They stay close to vertical surfaces like walls. This is where you are most likely to find droppings. They have evolved into being dependent on human habitats for survival.
They also reproduce at an alarming rate. One female House Mouse can give birth of up to 8 litters a year consisting of 6 babies on average.
Diet-Prefers nuts or seeds but will feed on nearly anything. Eats a small amount but can produce 40 to 50 droppings a day.
Health concerns- House Mice spread diseases to humans and other animals. They can spread Salmonella through dropping contamination and Hantavirus through contact with feces or even inhaling dust that has been contaminated. Leptospirosis can be spread through the urine of a House Mouse which can remain in water or soil for several months. They are also capable of carrying and transmitting Rat-Bite Fever through bites, scratches, handling of the mouse or contaminated food or water.
Wood Rat aka Pack Rat
Nesting-Large conspicuous nests built out of sticks, pieces of vegetation like cacti and other debris that they find.
Often in and around cactus as a defense from predators.
Pack Rats are solitary but other Pack Rats will reuse abandoned nests.
They don't typically nest in human structures but will nest in the engine compartments of cars, sheds, bbq grills
Appearance-Pack Rats are large, growing to about 6-8 inches in body length excluding the tail. Brown or gray in color with lighter colored bellies and feet. One identifying characteristic is they have bushy, furry tails compared to other rats.
Habits-Likes to collect materials to take back to it's nest. Especially bright, shiny objects. Nocturnal, seeks out food and materials during the night.
Diet-Feeds mostly on vegetation like twigs, fruits & vegetables but will feed on other things if food is scarce.
Health concerns-Pack Rats can spread diseases through urine and droppings like other rodent pests but since they don't frequently nest inside of homes it's not as big of a concern. If they are frequenting a home or business however, it becomes a concern.
Their nests can also attract parasites like fleas and kissing bugs (assassin bugs) which cause an entirely new pest problem.
Norway Rat
Nesting- Norway Rats typically nest in burrows underground, under piles of debris or under concrete slabs. Seeing holes in the ground next to the foundation of a home is a possible indicator of the presence of Norway Rats.
Appearance- These rats are quite large measuring up to 10 inches.
Their fur is brownish or gray in color.
One key factor in correctly identifying a Norway Rat compared to other rats is it's tail. The length of the tail is less than the length of it's body and head and scaly.
Habits- Like most rats & mice Norway Rats are nocturnal and are rarely seen during the day unless their burrows are disturbed or the populations are very large.
This is the most common rat species that humans encounter in the U.S.
Their teeth are capable of chewing through many different materials including pipes and electric wiring.
They move along vertical walls in and around structures often leaving a dark smudge on the walls surface caused by oil or dirt from their bodies rubbing against it.
Diet- Prefer meats, fruits, grains or nuts but like many rodents will feed on many different things if food is scarce.
Health Concerns- Known to transmit diseases such as Bubonic Plague, Typhus, Leptospirosis, Rat-Bite Fever and Jaundice.
They commonly contaminate food and water sources of people and live stock causing food poisoning.
Roof Rat
Nesting- As the name implies, Roof Rats are excellent climbers and commonly nest in upper levels of buildings like attics. Outdoors they will nest in trees, woodpiles and debris.
Appearance- Usually black or dark brown. Grow to 7-10 inches in length with a more slender body than a Norway Rat.
They are identifiable by their tail. It is longer than the length of their head & body.
Habits- Roof Rats are also nocturnal and rarely seen during the day. They often stay close to their nests when foraging for food. Likely to climb trees and poles in search of food.
Like other rodents, Roof Rats will cause damage by gnawing.
Like Norway Rats, Roof Rats also leave smudges against walls where they travel from oil and dirt on their bodies.
Diet- Will feed on almost anything but prefers fruits and nuts. Especially citrus.
Health Concerns- Known transmitters of Bubonic Plague, Trichinosis, Rat-Bite Fever, and Hantavirus. They can also contaminate food and water sources causing food poisoning and other illnesses.
Controlling Rodents
Indoor rodent control consists of good sanitation, trapping and sealing off entry and travel points. Once an infestation is eradicated or to prevent an infestation, screening or sealing entry points to a structure is the most important step in controlling rodents.
Outdoors bait may be used or traps depending on the situation. If there isn't a sign of rodents on the property, baits should not be used as it may attract rodents that wouldn't have been there otherwise.
For Roof Rats it is VERY IMPORTANT not to have trees touching the roof of the structure. This is the most common way they gain entrance to an attic or ceiling.
For more information contact Kyle's Pest Solution at 623-760-6025
There are many types of rodents in the desert of Arizona. Many of them don't pose much of a concern to us. However, some species of mice and rats pose major concerns. Mice and rats are extremely adaptable to almost any environment and because of this are very successful mammals. Some species of mice and rats have evolved to being used to human habitats. Add in their high rate of reproduction and we have animals that become competitors against humans.
Along with health concerns, rodents have to gnaw on things to wear down their teeth. Rodents are the only mammals whose teeth never stop growing, if they don't wear them down they will die. They gnaw on nearly everything including wires, wood, metal and nearly any other solid material you can think of resulting in extensive and costly damages to a home or business.
Here are the most common rodent pests that we encounter here in the valley.
House Mice
Nesting- Prefers dark, protected areas in fields, grassy or wooded areas or in clutter around buildings. They will readily invade structures when temperatures become too cold outdoors.
Appearance-Small, gray body, cream colored belly with small heads and feet.
Habits-They are nocturnal so they are rarely seen in the day time. If they are seen during the day it's likely that populations have gotten very high. They are also great climbers allowing them to reach almost any area of a building. They stay close to vertical surfaces like walls. This is where you are most likely to find droppings. They have evolved into being dependent on human habitats for survival.
They also reproduce at an alarming rate. One female House Mouse can give birth of up to 8 litters a year consisting of 6 babies on average.
Diet-Prefers nuts or seeds but will feed on nearly anything. Eats a small amount but can produce 40 to 50 droppings a day.
Health concerns- House Mice spread diseases to humans and other animals. They can spread Salmonella through dropping contamination and Hantavirus through contact with feces or even inhaling dust that has been contaminated. Leptospirosis can be spread through the urine of a House Mouse which can remain in water or soil for several months. They are also capable of carrying and transmitting Rat-Bite Fever through bites, scratches, handling of the mouse or contaminated food or water.
Wood Rat aka Pack Rat
Nesting-Large conspicuous nests built out of sticks, pieces of vegetation like cacti and other debris that they find.
Often in and around cactus as a defense from predators.
Pack Rats are solitary but other Pack Rats will reuse abandoned nests.
They don't typically nest in human structures but will nest in the engine compartments of cars, sheds, bbq grills
Appearance-Pack Rats are large, growing to about 6-8 inches in body length excluding the tail. Brown or gray in color with lighter colored bellies and feet. One identifying characteristic is they have bushy, furry tails compared to other rats.
Habits-Likes to collect materials to take back to it's nest. Especially bright, shiny objects. Nocturnal, seeks out food and materials during the night.
Diet-Feeds mostly on vegetation like twigs, fruits & vegetables but will feed on other things if food is scarce.
Health concerns-Pack Rats can spread diseases through urine and droppings like other rodent pests but since they don't frequently nest inside of homes it's not as big of a concern. If they are frequenting a home or business however, it becomes a concern.
Their nests can also attract parasites like fleas and kissing bugs (assassin bugs) which cause an entirely new pest problem.
Norway Rat
Nesting- Norway Rats typically nest in burrows underground, under piles of debris or under concrete slabs. Seeing holes in the ground next to the foundation of a home is a possible indicator of the presence of Norway Rats.
Appearance- These rats are quite large measuring up to 10 inches.
Their fur is brownish or gray in color.
One key factor in correctly identifying a Norway Rat compared to other rats is it's tail. The length of the tail is less than the length of it's body and head and scaly.
Habits- Like most rats & mice Norway Rats are nocturnal and are rarely seen during the day unless their burrows are disturbed or the populations are very large.
This is the most common rat species that humans encounter in the U.S.
Their teeth are capable of chewing through many different materials including pipes and electric wiring.
They move along vertical walls in and around structures often leaving a dark smudge on the walls surface caused by oil or dirt from their bodies rubbing against it.
Diet- Prefer meats, fruits, grains or nuts but like many rodents will feed on many different things if food is scarce.
Health Concerns- Known to transmit diseases such as Bubonic Plague, Typhus, Leptospirosis, Rat-Bite Fever and Jaundice.
They commonly contaminate food and water sources of people and live stock causing food poisoning.
Roof Rat
Nesting- As the name implies, Roof Rats are excellent climbers and commonly nest in upper levels of buildings like attics. Outdoors they will nest in trees, woodpiles and debris.
Appearance- Usually black or dark brown. Grow to 7-10 inches in length with a more slender body than a Norway Rat.
They are identifiable by their tail. It is longer than the length of their head & body.
Habits- Roof Rats are also nocturnal and rarely seen during the day. They often stay close to their nests when foraging for food. Likely to climb trees and poles in search of food.
Like other rodents, Roof Rats will cause damage by gnawing.
Like Norway Rats, Roof Rats also leave smudges against walls where they travel from oil and dirt on their bodies.
Diet- Will feed on almost anything but prefers fruits and nuts. Especially citrus.
Health Concerns- Known transmitters of Bubonic Plague, Trichinosis, Rat-Bite Fever, and Hantavirus. They can also contaminate food and water sources causing food poisoning and other illnesses.
Controlling Rodents
Indoor rodent control consists of good sanitation, trapping and sealing off entry and travel points. Once an infestation is eradicated or to prevent an infestation, screening or sealing entry points to a structure is the most important step in controlling rodents.
Outdoors bait may be used or traps depending on the situation. If there isn't a sign of rodents on the property, baits should not be used as it may attract rodents that wouldn't have been there otherwise.
For Roof Rats it is VERY IMPORTANT not to have trees touching the roof of the structure. This is the most common way they gain entrance to an attic or ceiling.
For more information contact Kyle's Pest Solution at 623-760-6025
