Rodents are small mammals that have constantly growing incisors. Because of this, they must always chew and gnaw on various items to keep these teeth at a manageable length. Animals that belong in the rodent family include rats, squirrels, gophers, and mice.
House mice are small, ranging in size from a little over 2 inches to just under 4 inches, with their tails typically doubling their length. They have brown or gray fur with cream-colored underbellies. House mice have pointed noses and large ears.
Deer mice are slightly larger than house mice, growing from 5 to 8 inches long, with tails that are similar in length. They, too, have brown or gray fur with white underbellies and feet. Their eyes and ears are large and they have pointed noses.
Rodents are dangerous for a number of reasons. First, they carry and transmit many diseases, including salmonella and a serious lung disease called hantavirus. Rodents can also spread parasites, such as fleas and ticks. In this way, they can indirectly cause illnesses like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It’s not just their capacity to spread illness that makes rodents dangerous. They also cause many problems when they get into your home. Their constant need to chew will ensure that your home ends up with holes and damage. They also frequently end up chewing into wiring and piping, creating fire hazards and leaks.
Although they can enter your home at any time of year, rodents are most likely to invade in late fall or winter when temperatures get cold and food sources become scarce. This is when rodents will look for access points into your home. Since mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime, it’s not difficult for them to get inside. Even if they can’t find an opening that size, they can chew away at a smaller one until it’s big enough to fit through.
When they get into your house, rodents often nest in your attic or wall voids. You may hear them scampering in your walls or see signs of them in your cupboards where they like to look for food and leave droppings behind.
