South Florida’s Rodents: 3 Types To Look Out For

Rodents conjure up negative associations for most people. Even the sight of a common house mouse scurrying across a floor when the lights are turned on suddenly can cause feelings of revulsion in residents.

The disgust many feel about sharing a house with a nest of rodents has some validity. Historically, more human diseases have originated with rodents than with any other mammal. Rats and mice prefer the same foods humans eat. They contaminate the home with urine and droppings in kitchens and elsewhere and may even present a fire hazard as they gnaw into electrical wiring inside walls. Pest control specialists report that the South Florida mouse and rat population is generally divided into three species:

House mice are the most common. While they originate outdoors in yards and bushes, mice frequently take up residence inside homes in wall voids, basements and attics. A single house mouse can produce up to 35 young mice in a year. House mice can be so secretive and inconspicuous that the only evidence of infestation may be the appearance of mouse droppings in the home.

Roof rats are the most prevalent rat found in South Florida homes.  Notwithstanding their name, these rats don’t restrict themselves to the roof but also inhabit attics and wall spaces. Roof rats may grow to over a foot long and tend to be vegetarians, but will eat anything that’s readily available. One female can produce 20 offspring in a year.

Norway rats generally reside outdoors but may make a habit of venturing inside your home in search of food. They are a burrowing species and may dig their way under your foundation or into your crawl space. Norway rats are an aggressive variety and will usually drive other species of rats out of a structure.

Poisons, known as rodenticides, to control rodents are powerful and exposure to occupants, especially children and pets, must be avoided. For the safety of your family, rodenticides and traps should be applied by the professionals at Haggerty Pest Control. Call us now for more information on safely ridding your home of rodents.

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