BAD, BAD RODENTS!
Rodents such as rats and mice play an important role in the health of grasslands and forest, and are a major source of food for many predators and scavengers, including hawks, fox, bobcats, and even wolves. Rodents such as rats and mice play an important role in the health of grasslands and forest, and are a major source of food for many predators and scavengers, including hawks, fox, bobcats, and even wolves.
- Transmit Deadly Diseases
- Contaminate Food
- Infest Properties
- Damage Crops
DOUBLE TROUBLE: RATS & MICE
- Rats and mice are considered the most pesky and costly rodents in the U.S.*
- They consume food that humans eat such as meat and grains. They even eat pet food!
- Both these rodents contaminate food while eating with their droppings, urine, and hair.
- They transmit over 35 different kinds of diseases.
- Mice can squeeze through 1/4 inch hotes and rats can fit into 1/2 inch cracks.
- Their teeth can grow up to 5 1/2 inches. Constant gnawing keeps their teeth sharp and short.
- Rats can jump up to 36 inches vertically and 48 inches horizontally.
ARE RATS & MICE INSIDE YOUR PROPERTY?
Both rats and mice are usually active at night. They will be only active during daytime when there isn’t enough food, when there is an overpopulation, or when they are sick. Here are signs of infestation:
- Droppings and Urine
- Gnawed Objects and Food Items
- Runways and Rubmarks
- Live and Dead Rodents
- Squeaking and Scratching Sounds
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Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/
United States Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/
University of Florida – IFAS Extension http://www.maine.gov/ http://ifas.ufl.edu/
University of California Museum of Paleontology http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Museum of Zoology
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/
National Pesticide Information Center http://npic.orst.edu/
Pawnation – http://animals.pawnation.com/