4 Common Rodent Species You Might Find in Your Home

As cooler weather arrives in Georgia, it isn’t unusual to find unwanted nuisance pests in your home like squirrels or rodents. More than just a nuisance, these pests can cause significant property damage and transmit disease. Properly identifying the pest is a key step in the remediation process – enabling you take preventive measures quickly. Read on to discover which rodents are more likely to invade your home:

1. House Mice (Mus musculus)

Characteristics:

• Small, slender bodies

• Light brown or gray with large ears and small eyes

• Approximately 2.5 to 3.75 inches in body length, with tails of similar length

Habits:

• Nocturnal and highly adaptable

• Known for their keen sense of hearing and smell

• Can squeeze through gaps as small as a dime

Risks:

• Contaminate food with droppings and urine

• Chew through electrical wires, posing a fire hazard

• Known carriers of diseases like salmonella

2. Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Characteristics:

• Larger than house mice, robust bodies

• Brown or gray fur with a blunt nose and small ears

• Body length ranges from 7 to 9.5 inches, with tails shorter than their bodies

Habits:

• Prefer ground-level nesting sites such as basements and crawl spaces

• Excellent burrowers and swimmers

• Mainly nocturnal but may forage during the day if food is scarce

Risks:

• Cause structural damage by burrowing and gnawing

• Spread diseases like leptospirosis and hantavirus

• Contaminate surfaces and food supplies

3. Roof Rats (Rattus rattus)

Characteristics:

• Smaller and sleeker compared to Norway rats

• Black or dark brown with a pointed nose and large ears

• Body length of 6 to 8 inches, with tails longer than their bodies

Habits:

• Prefer nesting in high places like attics, roofs, and upper levels of buildings

• Excellent climbers, often using trees and utility lines to access homes

• Nocturnal and wary of new objects in their environment

Risks:

• Can severely damage insulation and wiring in attics

• Spread diseases such as typhus and bubonic plague

• Contaminate food and surfaces

4. Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)

Characteristics:

• Bicolored fur with white underbellies and feet

• Larger eyes and ears compared to house mice

• Body length of 2.75 to 4 inches, with tails of similar length

Habits:

• Often found in rural areas but can invade homes, especially in colder months

• Prefer nesting in sheltered locations such as garages, sheds, and unused rooms

• Nocturnal and good climbers

Risks:

• Primary carriers of hantavirus, which can be fatal

• Contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and urine

• Can chew through wires and insulation

Prevention Tips

• Seal Entry Points: Block any potential entry points, including gaps around windows, doors, and utility lines.

• Eliminate Food Sources: Store food in airtight containers and clean up spills promptly.

• Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly clean and declutter your home, especially in storage areas.

• Use Traps and Baits: Set traps or baits in areas where rodent activity is suspected.

• Consult Professionals: If an infestation persists, seek help from pest control professionals.

By understanding the behavior and characteristics of these common rodent intruders, you can better protect your home from their unwanted presence. Remember, prevention is key to keeping your living space safe and rodent-free. Contact a local pest control professional to schedule a home inspection or for wildlife removal services.