Overview | Health & Property Concerns | Disease Vehicles
Roof Rat | Norway Rat | House Mouse | Deer Mouse
Control | Preparation for Service | What to Expect

Rodent Overview:
Vision: Because they are nocturnal, and in many cases adapted to subterranean existence, rodents do not need or possess great vision. Their vision is functional for night and low-light situations. Rodents rely on their other senses, especially smell and touch. In fact rodents tend to gravitate toward shadowed areas, which accounts for their behavior in exploring entrances to bait stations.

Kinesthetics: (Memory of muscular movement). Rodents may use runways leading to food, shelter and nests hundreds of times over the course of a few days, memorizing the muscular movements required to quickly move along these runways from one location to another, similar to the way we get around the house in the dark, or play an instrument. When chased or frightened rodents will use their kinesthetic sense to to blindly escape along their runways.

Taste: Rats and mice possess a highly developed sense of taste and respond to sweet, sour, bitter and salt.

Hearing: Because of their poor vision, their hearing is important to their survival. Rats and mice can hear into the ultrasonic range: 100kHz for rats and 90kHz for mice — the human threshold is 20kHz. Rodents also emit ultrasonic sounds to communicate, locate objects and assist them in maneuvering quickly along their runways.

Reproduction and Population Growth: The reproductive potential of rodents is characterized by rapid sexual maturity, short gestation periods, large litter sizes and year-round breeding potential. Inside buildings where food and harborage is abundant, temperatures are constant, and natural predators are absent; rodent populations can explode. The sexual behavior of rodents also contributes to their success. Females will mate with several males, and come into heat frequently. A male may mate with 20 females within a 6 hour period thus rats and mice often mate and conceive while still nurturing a litter. Under ideal circumstances rodents may produce litters every 24 to 28 days.

Harborage Selection: Rodents must have harborage to protect them from the environment, a place to raise their young, rest, and hide from predators. Outdoors, they utilize shrubs, vegetation and trees. In buildings they harbor in a location that simulate what is available to them in the wild, and burrow into building voids, appliances and furniture. Often they gravitate toward the warmth of heat sources to preserve their body temperature. They can also burrow beneath the protection offered by cement slabs and building foundations, much as they would beneath a large rock.

Feeding Behavior: Many rodents are omnivorous, they feed on seeds bark, insects, and will kill and eat other small animals and birds. In general, rats and mice are opportunistic and will eat the foods they encounter, providing the food is acceptable.
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Health & Property Concerns: Rats and mice can spread diseases such as Hantavirus. Mice can infiltrate and remain undetected for prolonged periods in suspended floors, ceilings, computers and other electronic equipment. Rats may also bite and attack — an estimated 50,000 people are bitten each year, the majority being children, and the confined elderly. Foraging rodents are attracted to food residue on the hands, fingers and faces of babies and sleeping adults. Inside our buildings rodents are capable (and have) disassembled building within a few years by gnawing on the structural supports. They also can gnaw through concrete, brick, gas and water pipes and wiring, causing fire and flood damage. Rats have between 24,000 to 26,000 lbs of biting pressure per square inch; they can bite 6 times a second and their teeth are denser than steel. In comparison the Pit Bull has 2,000-3,000 lbs per square inch and the Great White shark, 5,000-7,000 lbs.
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Rodents as Disease Vehicles: Rodents and their parasites coexist with us and nest where we relax, sleep, eat and store clothes. Rodents may touch or urinate on the food we eat and the clothes we wear. They establish nests in our air circulation systems, and contaminate them with urine, feces, nesting materials and hair that are then spread through the air we breathe. In a week, rats and mice produce hundreds of fecal pellets and deposit urine in thousands or areas which may contain millions of bacteria or viruses. They shed hair daily, and lose their entire pelage twice a year. Millions of hairs, possibly containing pathogens are deposited into our environment this way.
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Roof Rat identification: They measure 13 to 18 1/2 inches long with their tail being longer than the head and body combined. Adults weigh about 3/4 to 2/3 lbs. They are mostly black and gray with some variations. California's "affluent rat" prefers neighborhoods that have palm trees, shrubs and other selected vegetation near residences; and inside houses not congested with too many people. It is more likely than the Norway rat to choose enclosed spaces in attics, walls and cabinets for nesting and cover. The roof rat shows preference for fruits and vegetables.
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Norway Rat identification: Larger and heavier than the roof rat, they build their nests in burrows, under buildings, low shrubs, ground cover, wood piles, accumulations of junk and garbage dumps. They measure about 13 to 18 1/2 inches long with the tail being shorter than the head and body combined, and weigh about 3/4 to 1 1/4 lbs, and are mostly brown with a lighter colored belly.

Life cycle: Females breed when about three months old. The gestation period is about 25 days and litters average about 8. Litters usually are spaced at intervals of 60 to 65 days. In nature, few rats live more than 2 years. The first two months are spent in the nest, and in short forays outside with the mother rat. Rats are most active from the third through ninth month of their life, thereafter activity gradually declines until the rat is about 18 months old.
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House Mouse identification: The house mouse ranges in size from 5 to 8 inches in total length. Their tails are semi-naked and about as long as their body and head combined. Ears are moderately large and distinct. Their colors range from light brown to nearly black.
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Deer Mice identification: The Deer Mouse which predominantly carry the Hantavirus can be identified by their white belly. They may also carry ticks that have lime disease which could be transmitted to humans or pets if the tick transfers hosts.

Life cycle: Mice are seasonal breeders, peaking in the spring and fall. Gestation is 18 to 21 days, litters range in size from 2 to 13, although a litter of 22 has been recorded. Females can produce between 6 and 10 litters spaced between 30 and 50 days apart. They have been known to share nests with as many as 36 young. Mice are territorial; one male and several females protect each territory. Mice can live up to 2 years and have a home range of 20 ft. They will run along walls exposing themselves only when they feel safe. One study has shown under favorable conditions that 24 mice can multiply to over 200 in only 8 months.
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Control: An inspection must be done to determine identification and the extent of infestation. This will determine access to the structure, then rodent proofing can be applied so no other rodents can enter. Trapping, and removal is then initiated. Disinfection of the area is recommended for Hantavirus, and an outside baiting program is recommended for population control. The baiting program is designed to lower the rodent population. The product used is Diphacinone ( brand name Ditrac) is intended to eliminate the the host rodent only. It is an anticoagulant that is broken down by the enzymes in the digestive track so if a secondary animal feeds on the host, it will not effect it. The bait is designed to crumble, so the rodent can not remove it from the bait station. The bait station is designed for SAFETY FIRST! A child, pet, or non-target animal can not reach in to retrieve the bait. The bait stations are also secured by staking to the ground. The baiting program is attended to on a monthly basis.
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Preparation for service: Be sure not to disturb the rodent droppings they may be infectious and need to be decontaminated before removal. Sweep or vacuum all areas where food is eaten (including bedrooms, and living room). Clean all basins and clear food crumbs from all areas. If you have pets, be sure all food is put away in galvanized containers. Make sure to clean thoroughly after each meal is prepared, and be sure all water sources are dry (including pet bowls) before going to bed. By eliminating food and water sources they will be forced to eat only what is offered. These steps will assist in the eradication of the rodents.
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What to expect after service: NO MORE RODENTS! A monthly baiting program guarantees there will not be a reinfestation, as long as the program continues. For baiting program prices, please call Hot Shots Pest Control today.
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Call Hot Shots Pest Control for a FREE ESTIMATE! (805) 966-3075

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