Deer Mice

Mice And Rats In Seattle Area

• Mice and rats are extremely destructive in any structure
• Though rodents thrive in old structures where sanitation is poor, they can infest any structure
• Mice and rats reproduce extremely fast and compete with other kinds of scavengers such as birds for resources
• They can dig long tunnels to access shelter and food
• Most mice and rats are not afraid of climbing and can survive a fifty feet fall. They can travel over tree branches and power lines
• Rodents transmit the Bubonic Plaque and contaminate homes with bacteria, waste and urine

Types of mice and rats found in homes in Seattle Area

a.Norway Rats

• These are the biggest rats found in the Pacific Northwest region with their weight exceeding a pound
• Their tails are shorter and looks like it is two-toned by the rodent’s haired skin
• It tends to be darker than other rat species with its color ranging from reddish brown to grayish brown
• It reproduces throughout the year but mostly in fall and are nocturnal
• This rat species is accustomed to Seattle’s city life feeding on anything that people eat
• As scavengers, Norway rats nest close to or in the ground and are common in crawl spaces beneath homes

b.Roof Rats

• These mice and rat species are smaller in size and more swift than Norway rats
• A mature roof rat weight around half a pound and has a long tail, longer ears and pointing snout
• They are light greyish in color and are picky when it comes to feeding and mostly opt for nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, insects and inorganic substances like paper and soap.
• They tend to nest on elevated places such as loft spaces or trees.
• Roof rats are active during the night and are rarely seen during the day

c.House mouse

• These are destructive in homes because they contaminate and chew different parts of a structure.
• Compared to other rats, they are much tiny especially the feet and head.
• House mice tend to drop waste as they go about.
• Their belly is light in color and their hair and skin color ranges from black to light brown.
• This mice and rat species tends to reproduce very fast and is highly mobile fitting into tiny spaces getting into rooftops and attics.
• Once they gain access to a home, they use interior walls and pipe chases to move from one point to the other, feeding on anything along their path

d.Deer mouse

• These have a two-toned look with a light underbelly and a mostly bi-colored tail
• They are common in Seattle and reach about 7 inches in length
• They have a small frame making it easier for them to sneak through tiny spaces
• They are good jumpers and swift runners
• They have sharp teeth and eat about anything including hard shells and vegetables

How to keep mice and rats out of Homes

• Mice and rats may be controlled by conducting inspection to identify points that they use to access the home
• Exclusion by correcting the holes or gaps identified by the inspection procedure
• Trapping any mice and rats left inside the structure after blocking all access points
• Using exterior baiting to control the population of mice and rats outside the home