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Rats and mice spread a variety of diseases; many of which are serious and life-
One of the largest species of rat, it has spread to all continents with the exception of Antarctica. They are common in the north east aUSA and the surrounding areas and often referred to as the Norway Rat. Brown Rats are mostly nocturnal and are great swimmers.
- Description -
Brown Rats can reach up to 10 inches in length, not including the tail, which can add an additional 10 inches to their overall length. They are typically dark gray or brown with lighter coloration on their belly and under parts. They can weigh up to over a pound but more typically weigh around half that. - Breeding, Social, and Life Cycle -
In a suitable environment, females can produce up to five litters per year with an average of 7, but up to 14 young per litter. Rats live in hierarchical groups so when food is scarce, the rats at the lowest social level will die off first. The remaining rats will automatically increase their rate of reproduction as a result of population decreases. - Health Hazards -
Not carriers of Bubonic Plague as their black rat counterparts, they have been known to carry such diseases as known to carry diseases such as Weil's disease, cryptosporidiosis, Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), Q fever and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. - Prevention -
The most effective means of prevention and often part of the treatment is removal of all food sources for these animals including good sanitation, proper disposal of garbage, removal of any animal or pet foods that might be openly available and rat- proofing any food storage.
Brown Rats being highly adaptive and considered to be one of the most difficult and aggressive of all animal pests, should be addressed by a trained professional.
Excellent climbers; abhorred as much for disease carried as they are for structural
damage to homes and food contamination. Black rats -
- Description -
the upper portion of the black rat ranges from black to light brown in color; undersides, grayish to whitish. Their sparsely haired tail is scaly and dark; representing more than half of their total body length of nearly16- inches. Ears are prominent. - Breeding, Social, and Life Cycle -
the female breeds throughout the year; producing from 3 to 6 litters of up to 10 young each. When food is scarce, they regulate production of offspring;1 or 2 litters a year. Black rats generally congregate in social groups of up to 60 members; they live 2 to 3- years. - Health Hazards -
black rats are well- known carriers of bubonic plague, also known as black death bubonic plague; caused by infected fleas.
Effective bubonic plague prevention and other disease prevention efforts include rat extermination. Most successfully handled by an experienced rodent exterminator using professional pest control measures
The common house mouse prefers residential settings and runs rampant throughout the US and all other areas of the world.
- Description -
light grayish brown to black upper body; nearly as dark belly. Ears and tail have little hair. Tails make up about half of total body length of 6 to 7 ½- inches. - Breeding, Social, and Life Cycle -
after courting rituals, the female house mouse will breed throughout the year; giving birth to litters of 3 to 14 young. Young begin breeding within 5 weeks after birth. Territorial by nature, clans dwelling in the same house respect each other's claimed space. A dominant male usually coexists with several females and young. A highly nomadic rodent, it is a man against mouse battle to keep them out of homes, where they thrive best; living three times longer than in the wild. - Health Hazards -
as the second most populous mammal on earth, house mice prefer to live close to humans. As with other species of mice, the danger of mouse droppings contaminating food and spreading disease makes mouse infestation a serious problem. Besides infecting people with disease, mice as well as rats chew and shred furniture, walls, floors, and electrical wires - sometimes starting fires
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