A Quick Introduction to the Mice and Rats of the Pacific Northwest
kphelps • November 10, 2021
Species You Might Encounter
For those in the Pacific Northwest, there are nine native species of mice and rats you might come across: the Great Basin Pocket Mouse, Western and Pacific Jumping Mice, Northern Grasshopper Mouse, Deer Mouse, Keen’s Mouse, Western Harvest Mouse, Kangaroo Rat, and the Bushy-tailed Woodrat. There are also three introduced species: the House Mouse, Norway Rat, and Black Rat. Out of the twelve species of mice and rats, the most commonly encountered are three introduced species.
Why They’re a Problem
Not only are the House Mouse and Norway and Black Rats the most commonly encountered species of mice and rats, they’re also the ones that cause the most damage. If these mice and rats have chosen to make their home near or even inside of yours, you have a real problem on your hands. These rodents like to gnaw. A lot. They’ll gnaw on your home, the insulation, and the wiring. As if that weren’t bad enough, they’ll also get into your food and contaminate it with the waste they eliminate. This can lead to you becoming very sick.
Rodent Prevention
So what can be done to prevent rodents from making themselves your uninvited guests? To start, keep your home clean. Food should be stored in tightly sealed containers. Trash should be removed regularly and kept covered. Make sure your home is sealed off so they don’t have points of entry. Keeping your yard neat and tidy, free of long grass, weeds, brush, and debris and wood piles makes your yard and property less appealing to rodents.
It’s one thing if you keep a mouse or rat as a pet. It’s entirely different if wild mice and rats decide to make themselves at home in your house. Understanding why they are a problem is the first step towards getting rid of them as a problem. Trust us, this is one pest issue you definitely need to take seriously.
Need some professional backup to deal with your rodent problem? Let our Residential Pest Control Services
help you get your rodent problem under control.
Pest control is an essential service for maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment, but for pet owners, ensuring these services are safe for their animals is equally important. Traditional pest control methods often rely on chemicals that can pose serious health risks to pets. Dogs, cats, and other animals frequently explore their surroundings by sniffing and licking, making them particularly vulnerable to toxic substances. This has led to a significant increase in the demand for pet-friendly pest control solutions, as conscientious pet owners seek to protect their furry companions from harm. A study by the National Pesticide Information Center underscores the potential dangers pesticides pose to pets, highlighting the need for safer alternatives.
Where the health and safety of children are paramount, ensuring a pest-free home environment is a critical concern for many parents. Traditional pest control methods often rely on chemicals that can pose significant health risks, particularly to children, whose developing bodies are more vulnerable to toxins. As awareness of these dangers grows, families are increasingly turning to child-safe pest control solutions that minimize chemical exposure while effectively managing pest issues.
Zoonotic diseases are infections that can be transmitted from animals to humans, posing a significant threat to public health worldwide. As urban areas expand and ecosystems are altered by climate change, the interaction between humans and animals intensifies, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases. Pests such as rodents, mosquitoes, and ticks are key vectors in carrying these diseases into human habitats, facilitating their spread. Understanding the dynamics of zoonotic diseases is crucial in developing effective strategies to protect public health and maintain safe living environments.
