Rodents are found in nearly every corner of the world. Mice and rats are known carriers of diseases and ailments as well as being destructors of homes and businesses. Usually, these tiny invaders come inside structures in the fall, when food becomes less available, but will come inside any time throughout the year. Once inside they quickly adapt and become quite accustomed to the qualities of indoor living and rarely leave on their own accord. In Colorado, the three most common rodents are the House mice, Deer Mice, and Norway rats and we at Effective Pest Services would like to take the opportunity to relate the fundamentals of these rodents.
House Mice
House mice can get to about 7 inches long from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail. They are covered in in short hair that varies from light brown, gray, to black in color and their bellies are lighter. Additionally, the tail and ear have har but its not as dense as the rest of their body. They can weigh up to about an ounce. All house mice need to get inside your home or business is a hole or crack the size of a dime. They will seek shelter when the whether is extreme or to escape predators. Once inside they will take refuge in cluttered addicts and basements as well as in wall voids and voids under cabinets. They are opportune eaters and will eat nearly anything but in the wild they favor seeds and nuts.
Deer Mice
Have large black beady eyes, a pointed nose, and large ears. They can reach up to 3 inches in length and the fur is typically bicolored with a light brownish-reddish top and white underbelly and feet. Deer mice usually avoid humans but if the necessity comes to it, they will intrude into buildings, but sticking to the attics, basements, or crawl spaces. Outdoors, they nest in tree holes, hollow logs, or piles of stones or logs. Deer mice will eat human or pet food if needed and in the wild their diet is most herbivores and it includes seeds, nuts, small fruits, berries, and they will also eat insects.
Norway Rats
Norway rats are one of the most common rats in the world and though they are found nearly anywhere, it is believed they originated from Asia. These rats can be especially destructive with their powerful gnawing abilities, they have been known to gnaw through lead and plastic piping to get to a water source. Their nose and ears are shorter than other rat species and have a shorter scaly tail and a blunt muzzle. Norway have coarse fur that is typically brownish or grayish and they have scattered black hairs throughout the coloring. They average 12 ½ – 18 ½ inches in length and their tail can make up 5 ¾ – 8 ½ inches of that and Norway rats average 10-11 ¾ ounces in weight.
Rodent Pest Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal & More in Wellington, Fort Collins, Timnath, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, Johnstown, Berthoud, Estes Park & Loveland, CO | Northern Colorado
Other rodent species found in Northern Colorado include woodrats, voles and gophers. No matter which rodent has invaded your Northern Colorado home or busy, call Effective Pest Services and let our experts help you eliminate the problem!
