Rodents are a very serious problem in New York; rats and mice not only spread many different diseases, but they can also cause structural damage to your property.

Some of the diseases spread by rodents:

• Rat-bite fever
• Hantavirus
• Leptospirosis
• Plague
• Salmonellosis

Rodents spread these diseases by contaminating your food and through their urine and droppings. Mice and rats, In rare cases, have been known to attack and bite children. It’s extremely important to control rodents in and around your property, for the health and safety of you, your family, your employees, and customers.

How to Recognize if Your Property Has a Rodent Problem

One of the first things you might notice is rodent droppings and you may also notice a urine smell. Rats and mice will also be drawn to your food pantry, gnawing holes through boxes and bags of both your food and your pet’s food. Also, your pet’s behavior may change; your dog or cat could act as if it is listening to the walls or hunting something.

If the rodent infestation is bad, you could discover holes gnawed through the walls, or hear scampering and clawing noise inside the walls or ceiling. You could also discover your rugs or upholstery have been torn up, and the materials used to make a nest. Finally, you could see the rats or mice, especially at night.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Rat and a Mouse Infestation

Rats are much bigger than mice; mice are only 6-7 inches long, including their tail, while rats can reach a length of 8-18” including their tails.

Also, mouse droppings are tiny, usually only ¼ long, and rat droppings are at least 1/2" long.

Norway Rats vs Roof Rats

Another way to tell the difference is the rat’s color and size; Norway rats have grayish-brown fur, and are larger, 10-18”. Roof rats are black with a pale-colored belly, and reach a length of 8-10” with a very long tail.

However, the best way to tell the difference is by their behavior; Roof rats climb up trees and utility lines to gain access to the roof and enter a building. Once inside, they make their nests in the attic, ceilings, and inside the walls. 

On the other hand, Norway rats like to scurry across the ground and are excellent diggers. You could find Norway rat burrows along the foundation of your building, or under yard clutter or trash. Norway rats get inside through vents and gaps around pipes, and they can even swim through the sewer or drainpipes to get inside.

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Rodents Can Quickly Destroy Your Property

While small in size, rodents have very powerful jaws and strong teeth, that can chew through nearly anything.

Every year, rats and mice cause billions of dollars in property damage. They do this by gnawing through walls and wiring. In fact, rodents are notorious for chewing through wiring, and causing electrical fires.

They also will destroy clothing, carpeting furniture, and other items, as well as the food in your kitchen. Nothing in your kitchen is safe from rats and mice.

If you suspect your home or business is infested by any type of rodent, do not hesitate to call in a professional. A pest control specialist can not only help you to positively identify the type of rodent, but also get rid of rodents, and prevent them from coming back.