Rodents

Domestic rodents constitute a major pest problem. Their strong preference for human food can lead to a large amount of food contamination. They will gnaw structural wood, wires, hoses, and other materials. This can cause costly structural damage and can lead to electrical fires. Rodent’s senses are highly developed enabling them to find food with great efficiency. They have a strongly developed sense of smell. They are attracted to odors of human foods. They will also leave odor trails of urine and secretions to mark trails, delineate territories, and attract mates. Rodent vision is not sharp but is well adapted for their nocturnal life. Their keen taste allows them to differentiate between fresh or rotting food. Because of their sharp senses, they can detect even minute quantities of rodenticides which can lead to bait refusal or only ingesting sub-lethal doses. Rodent proofing your home can be difficult because they are capable of squeezing through very tiny openings. Because of their gnawing behavior, they can easily make small holes larger to easily gain access. Their ability to jump, climb, and swim also enable them to infest your home with ease. Rats and mice are habitually nocturnal and secretive. They are rarely seen during the day except when infestations are heavy.
The major domestic rodents we see in this area are the house mouse and the Norway rat.

Monitoring rodent populations is an important part of our pest program. Bait stations inside and adjacent to structures are useful for monitoring. Droppings are the most common sign of infestation. Rodents typically use the same runways between food, water, and nests and rats will leave rub marks along these well-traveled runways. Don’t let mice ruin your day. Call the pros at Pro Pest Care.

House mice are found throughout the United States. They can live in and around your home year-round. They can be also be found in open fields and on agricultural land . As crops are harvested in the fall in our area, mice are driven towards homes for food and nesting. This is why we receive a fair number of calls regarding rodent infestations in the fall on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Norway rats live in close proximity to people. On farms, they may inhabit grain tanks, livestock barns, and silos. They prefer to burrow in the soil for nesting. All rodents can swim but the Norway rat is the best among them.