When the temperatures start to drop, the calls for rodents start to go up. First step in prevention of rodents in your home is knowledge – so here are the top three kinds of rodents the regular Floridian might find in their house.
House Mice
Looks: Have shorter hair that is light brown or gray/black in color, with lighter bellies.
Size: Body: 3.0 – 3.9 in; Tail Length: 2.0 – 3.9 in; Weight: 1.4 – 1.6 oz
What do they like to eat? Outside, mice prefer to eat cereal and seeds, but they will also eat insects, nuts and fruits. Inside structures, mice will consume almost any human food, but prefer grain based products.
Signs of an Infestation:
- Gnaw marks
- Droppings (1/8-1/4 inch long, they are rod shaped and pointed on the ends)
- Tracks
Roof Rat
Looks: Smaller of the two common rats. Brown with black intermixed; Gray, white or black underside
Size: Body: 6 – 8 in; Tail Length: 6 – 8 in; Weight: 5 – 9 ounces but can get up to 12 ounces
What do they like to eat? They will eat meat and grain, but their preferences are fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. They will eat snails, slugs, and insects as well.
Signs of an infestation:
- Noises in the attic or house walls and damaged electrical wires
- Gnaw Marks
- Greasy Rub Marks
- Droppings (1/2″ and pointed)
Norway Rat
Looks: The biggest rat. Brown with scattered black hairs; gray to white underside.
Size: Body: 6 – 8 in; Weight: 12 – 16 ounces
What do they like to eat? Norway rats will eat nearly any type of food. When given a choice, they select a nutritionally balanced diet, choosing fresh, wholesome items over stale or contaminated foods. They prefer cereal grains, meats and fish, nuts, and some types of fruit.
Signs of an infestation:
- Droppings (capsule shaped)
- Gnaw Marks
- Tracks
- Bite / Chew Marks on food, wires