RODENTS

1. Roof Rat
2. Norway Rat
3. Wood Rat

1. Deer Mouse
2. House Mouse

Rodents are extremely versatile animals, with their sizes varying between 7 to 18 inches including tail, colours being different shades of grey or brown, and are commonly identified by their continuously growing top and bottom teeth. Different rodents will inhabit different regions, with rats being the most common ones found in Canada. A rat infestation can be a large problem with the diseases they carry and the damage that these pests can inflict onto a property.

COLONIES:

Rats and mice are social creatures and fester in colonies. One or two found in a home can commonly hint toward a larger infestation at hand.

DIET:

Rats and mice are able to eat almost anything when hungry including plants, insects, and meat.

LIFECYCLE:

Rodents carry their young for about 25 days and can give birth to 12 younglings at a time. A mother can birth up to 6 litters of younglings, around 72 pups, in her lifetime. The success of litters heavily rely on the environment, food supply, temperature, and many other factors. Naturally, the pups do not live past 6 months. These pups appear pink and are blind at birth with fine hairs appearing on them within a week. After 3 months, they become sexually mature and do not need their mother anymore.

Rats normally mate in spring or fall but can mate at any time in the year. The average lifespan of a rat between 6 months to a year depending on the type and environment.

COLONIES:

DIET:

LIFECYCLE:

Rats will on occasion bite humans. These incidents usually occur where rodent populations are high and dense, mostly in the lower subdivisions of crowded cities and areas. Statistically, it has been found that the groups of people mostly attacked by rodent bites are the homeless, elderly, and infants. These bites are usually found on the limbs and commonly occur at night when the pests are foraging for food. The reason behind these late-night bites are the rats drawn toward any food residue or smell that may be on the sleeping individual, adult, or child. Rat bites are highly noticeable and painful, awakening the person almost immediately.

If a rat bite is discovered then medical help should be considered.

PROPERTY:

Rodents possess powerful teeth that give them the ability to bite or gnaw through an immense range of things including electrical wires, vehicles, wood, cement, and most materials found in buildings and homes. This gives them the ability to burrow underground, in the walls, or above the ceiling. This damage can lead to extremely costly repairs and provide passages for other, smaller pests to enter the home as well.

DISEASE:

Rodent transmitted diseases pose a great threat to public with the ability to harm both humans and animals, including livestock and pets. These diseases can pass a direct bite from the rodent or through other pests that the rodent has bitten, such as fleas or ticks. There have been many incidents where pathogens have been transmitted through food or water by rodent excrements. Typically the area in the home with the greatest amount of rodent excrements is in the kitchen.

ALLERGIES:

Many people have been reported to suffer from asthma or allergic reactions that were triggered due to fecal matter and urine left behind by rats or mice in the home.

PROPERTY:

DISEASE:

ALLERGIES:

Rats and mice usually infest homes to take refuge from the elements or to hide from predators, commonly infesting homes during the colder climates. Signs of a rat or mouse infestation include spotting damaged wiring, holes or gaps found on the property, dark fecal pellets found about the home, and strong odours from rodent urine and glands along with bites marks found on any inhabitant.

Keeping the property sanitized, cleaning waste products or food immediately after consumption, and rotationally cleaning waste bins and dumpsters while also making sure they are tightly shut to stop the rodents from entering are all methods that can be used to stop rodent infestations. Any property damage, gaps, or holes must be repaired along with an leaky taps and not keeping doors and windows for too long can also help.

If a rodent infestation is suspected or found to be, it is highly advised that professional intervention is sought out to ensure further property destruction or jeopardization of health is stopped.