Pest Files - Rodents
House Mouse
A full-grown house mouse does not need a very large hole to make his way into your house. To prevent mice entering your home make sure that all holes are stuffed with steel wool or copper mesh, or filled with caulk or plaster. Holes around the foundation of the home, and those between the house and garage are particularly important. Seal gaps around doors, and install floor sweeps, caulk openings around water pipes, electric wires and vents. Keeping food in sealed containers, not leaving dirty dishes out, cleaning up spills immediately, rinsing out cans and bottles before putting them in the recycling, and keeping a tight lid on your trash bin will reduce food availability.
Clearing pet food away before you go to sleep is also advisable.
Brown Rat
Norway rats typically have coarse, brown fur with a pale grey or greyish brown underside. They have small eyes, naked ears, and a scaly tail that is shorter than the length of their head and body. Mature rats are range between 150-300 grams and about 400 mm long. Rattus norvegicus are native to central Asia and believed to have come from Northern or North eastern China.
They did not come from Norway, as their name suggests, but they are believed to have entered Europe in the mid 1500s on ships from Norway.
Wood Mouse
Despite the name, the wood mouse can be found in virtually any habitat which provides it with some cover; this includes woodland, ungrazed grassland, hedgerows and gardens. Our most abundant rodent, it usually lives in a burrow system which contains chambers used for nesting and storage. They sometimes also nests in tree-holes, bird boxes and buildings. The diet of the wood mouse is very variable; from tree seeds such as hazelnuts and acorns, to earthworms and insect larvae. They often 'cache' food for later use, this can help the spread of trees should the cache be subsequently forgotten.
Wood mice have many predators, which include the kestrel, owls, and members of the weasel family, the fox and the domestic cat.
Grey Squirrel
This rather charming creature has been the object of much rage amongst landowners and naturalists in the UK. Since its introduction it has caused much damage to timber by bark gnawing. It has been disliked by conservationists as it is seen as a factor in the decline of the red squirrel. Although it was once believed to drive the red squirrel out of habitat it appears that it is simply better able to take advantage of the red squirrels habitat.
If encouraged squirrels will gain access to domestic properties. Once in a home they can do extensive damage to the contents and the fabric of the building.
House Mouse
A full-grown house mouse does not need a very large hole to make his way into your house. To prevent mice entering your home make sure that all holes are stuffed with steel wool or copper mesh, or filled with caulk or plaster. Holes around the foundation of the home, and those between the house and garage are particularly important. Seal gaps around doors, and install floor sweeps, caulk openings around water pipes, electric wires and vents. Keeping food in sealed containers, not leaving dirty dishes out, cleaning up spills immediately, rinsing out cans and bottles before putting them in the recycling, and keeping a tight lid on your trash bin will reduce food availability.
Clearing pet food away before you go to sleep is also advisable.
Brown Rat
Norway rats typically have coarse, brown fur with a pale grey or greyish brown underside. They have small eyes, naked ears, and a scaly tail that is shorter than the length of their head and body. Mature rats are range between 150-300 grams and about 400 mm long. Rattus norvegicus are native to central Asia and believed to have come from Northern or North eastern China.
They did not come from Norway, as their name suggests, but they are believed to have entered Europe in the mid 1500s on ships from Norway.
Wood Mouse
Despite the name, the wood mouse can be found in virtually any habitat which provides it with some cover; this includes woodland, ungrazed grassland, hedgerows and gardens. Our most abundant rodent, it usually lives in a burrow system which contains chambers used for nesting and storage. They sometimes also nests in tree-holes, bird boxes and buildings. The diet of the wood mouse is very variable; from tree seeds such as hazelnuts and acorns, to earthworms and insect larvae. They often 'cache' food for later use, this can help the spread of trees should the cache be subsequently forgotten.
Wood mice have many predators, which include the kestrel, owls, and members of the weasel family, the fox and the domestic cat.
Grey Squirrel
This rather charming creature has been the object of much rage amongst landowners and naturalists in the UK. Since its introduction it has caused much damage to timber by bark gnawing. It has been disliked by conservationists as it is seen as a factor in the decline of the red squirrel. Although it was once believed to drive the red squirrel out of habitat it appears that it is simply better able to take advantage of the red squirrels habitat.
If encouraged squirrels will gain access to domestic properties. Once in a home they can do extensive damage to the contents and the fabric of the building.
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