PMBR #5295
268 Route 2
Preston, CT 06365
(no parking)
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ants-mosquitos-mice-rats-roaches-bed bugs-fleas-wasps-carpenter bees-spiders & more
State of Ct. and D.E.E.P.
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MIce and Rats
Norway Rat
Let's Talk about rodents!
Most common Mice and Rats of Connecticut
MICE
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What is a Deer Mouse?
Deer mice are a species of rodent that get their name because their fur closely resembles that of a deer, but don’t be fooled by this deceptively cute rodent. Deer mice present serious medical concerns as they can be carriers of Hantavirus. If you suspect an infestation, it’s crucial to learn how to get rid of deer mice. White-footed mice play a role in the transmission of Lyme disease. They carry the bacteria that causes the disease and pass it to larval deer ticks when they are bitten. These deer ticks can then pass the disease to humans or other mammals. They also may be carriers of Four Corners disease, through their feces. Mice can carry bacteria like Leptospira in their urine, which can cause Leptospirosis in humans, leading to symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and kidney damage if not treated properly. Additionally, Hantavirus, a respiratory illness, can be contracted by inhaling airborne particles from dried mouse urine. Exposure to mouse allergens, found in urine, saliva, and dander, can trigger asthma symptoms and attacks. Mouse allergens are a common cause of asthma in urban areas.
Identification:
Color: Brown, with white feet and underbelly
Size: 5 to 8 inches long
Legs: 4
Antennae: No
Shape: Round
Region: Found throughout U.S.
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​ Are cats the answer to your mouse problems​?
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​Some cats will take no notice of mice – That’s right, not all cats care about or wish to chase mice. Domestic cats are less inclined to catch mice because they should be well fed and watered regularly throughout the day and so, chasing and killing mice will only be enticing if they wish to play.
Your cat might catch one mouse but not an entire infestation – On average a mouse will produce up to 60 offspring a year and these babies will begin to have their own at around 42 days old.
Your cat can’t get into the same spaces mice will – Mice can sneak into your basement, attic and small holes in your walls. Mice love these areas, too, which means it’s likely your cat will lose interest once the mouse is out of sight.
Your cat’s health – Mice can carry disease which puts your pet at risk of becoming ill, which is something you do not want to happen to your family pet. This can be unfair to your cat and can leave you with hefty vet bills.
Still not convinced, check out this article about cats, mice and toxoplasmosis!
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2013.13777
One mouse can turn into many mice…quickly!
A female house mouse can give birth when they are only two months old, and they are able to have to up to a dozen babies every three weeks. This means she could have as many as 150 offspring in a single year! If you spot a mouse in your home, it is safe to assume there are more or there will be soon. It's best to call a licensed pest company before the infestation grows out of control!
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original sources: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/rodents/deer-mice/
https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/index.html
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We have multiple programs available for rodent infestations such as an exclusion service to seal them out, maintenance and trapping, all natural professional repellents, to more serious infestations requiring the use of bait stations.
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RATS
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What Are Norway Rats?
The Norway rat commonly referred to as the street or sewer rat. Today, Norway rats are found throughout the world. Norway rats have fairly poor vision and are colorblind. Despite this, their other senses, including hearing, smell, touch and taste are keen. Although not extremely agile, they are capable of running, climbing, jumping and are excellent swimmers.
Norway rats are known to cause damage to properties and structures through their gnawing.
Norway rats are social pests, often building shelters close to one another. This means that where there is one burrow, there are likely others close by. Their burrows have at least one entrance hole and a minimum of one bolt-hole, or emergency exit, which is often hidden under grass, debris and other materials.
When outdoors, Norway rats tend to live in fields, farmlands and structures. They frequently burrow in soil near riverbanks, in garbage and woodpiles, under concrete slabs, and along railroad embankments, streams and riverbanks. These rodents can fit through a hole the size of a quarter. They enjoy nesting on the ground floor and on the lower floors of buildings, as well as in sewers. Although they prefer settling on lower levels, Norway rats may also occasionally reside in attics, on roofs and other high points.
They characteristically forage at dusk, and then again prior to dawn. These rats will carry the food they find to less busy areas for consumption, or to hoard. Adaptable feeders, Norway rats eat practically anything but show a preference to meat, fish and cereal. Dog food is also a favorite menu item for Norway rats.
Identification:
Color: Brown with scattered black hairs; gray to white underside
Size: 7-9 ½ inches long
Legs: 4
Antennae: No
Shape: Long, heavily bodied; blunt muzzle
Region: Found throughout U.S.
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Some of the risks associated with Norway Rats:
These rodents are known to gnaw through almost anything – including plastic or lead pipes – to obtain food and water sources for survival. Norway rats require a water source separate from the liquid they may find in food. They will typically travel about 100 to 150 feet away from their shelter for food and water, although this range is smaller in urban areas where they will venture only about 25 to 100 feet away from their home.
Thanks to this propensity to gnaw through almost anything, Norway rats can cause damage to properties and structures, making them a threat to homeowners. Equally important, Norway rats are carriers of serious diseases, including jaundice, rat-bite fever, cowpox virus, trichinosis and salmonellosis. Norway rats also pose other health threats, as they can contaminate food and introduce fleas into a home.
Learn more about the health threats posed by rodents in this article, https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-health-hub/overview-of-the-real-health-risks-posed-by-mice-and-rat-infestations/
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Norway rats can reproduce quickly, giving birth to about three to six litters each year. This makes it all the more important to take proactive measures, such as Norway rat control, to prevent an infestation from taking root.
The safest and most effective way for homeowners to get rid of Norway rats is to work with a licensed pest control company. A pest control professional will assess the situation and develop an integrated pest management (IPM) plan to successfully control the rodents.
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original sources: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/rodents/deer-mice/
https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/index.html
​We have multiple programs available for rodent infestations such as an exclusion service to seal them out, maintenance and trapping, all natural professional repellents, to more serious infestations requiring the use of bait stations.
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