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rodent solutions
 House Mouse
The house mouse is the species of mouse everyone thinks of when they hear the word mouse. It is because they live in close association with humans that they are one of the most familiar small mammals to humans. House mice are similar in size to our native deer mouse but they are a solid grayish-brown color above and below. Their tail is also scaly like a Norway rat and not covered with fur like the deer mouse.
House mice are occasionally found in fields, but usually in buildings. They will eat most anything and breed year round having as many as a dozen litters a year of 5-8 young each. Young are able to breed at six weeks. Because this mouse chooses to live near humans, it is considered a pest.
Norway Rat
This rat lives both with man, and in the open where vegetation is tall. It makes its home principally in a basement or a burrow under a sidewalk or outbuilding. It appears to be most common around feed stores, chicken houses, garbage dumps and sewers.
The Norway Rat is more at home on the ground, but has been seen crossing from one building to another along a telephone wire, so it is an excellent climber. Around poultry houses, the rat feeds extensively on eggs and young chickens. It has even been known to kill lambs and young pigs!
The Norway Rat is a source of food for the spotted skunk, barn owl and house cat, but because the rat is such a prolific breeder, these predators are often unable to keep the rat population in check. This rat is known to be a reservoir of bubonic plague, endemic typhus fever, rat bite fever, and a few other dreaded diseases. Therefore, buildings and garbage cans should be rat-proofed.
Roof Rat
The roofrat (Rattus Rattus) is one of two introduced rats found in the contiguous 48
states. The Norway rat is the other species and is better known because of its widespread
distribution. .Roof rats were common on early sailing ships and apparently arrived in the
country by that route. Roof rats range along half of the East Coast and throughout the
Gulf States and upward into Arkansas Roof rats are more aerial than other rats in their
habitat selection and often will live in trees and vine covered fences. Being agile
climbers, roof rats frequently enter building from the roof or accesses near utility lines
which they use to travel from area to area. They have been found in sewer systems, but
this is not common.
The food habits of roof rats resemble those of tree squirrels, since they both like a wide
variety of fruits and nuts. Roof rate usually require water daily. Roof rats usually begin
searching for food shortly after sunset. If the food is in an exposed area and to large to be
eaten quickly, yet too large to be moved, they will usually carry it to a hiding place
before eating it. When necessary, roof rats will travel considerable distances for food .
Tree Squirrels
There are several species of squirrels, but here we are covering the gray squirrels in general and the damage and noise we often associate with them.
Squirrels, for the most part lack natural predators in a urban environment. This means that they can reproduce without the pressures associated with life in the wild. When this is combined with increased construction and infringement on habitat areas, we start to see them in our attics and in other places in our homes. They seek warm, safe shelter during the fall and winter months in particular.
Diet consists of insects, berries, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. They like to hoard their food.
Why use Arrow for your rodent problem
Whether inside your house, in the engine compartment of a vehicle or in the water heater for your pool, rodents can cause tremendous damage, risk and inconvenience. Arrow has dedicated employees who will come to your home and carefully asses your rodent issues. Based upon our inspection, we will then recommend a course of action. This will likely include several basic components:
- Elimination of the existing rodent population, this may include removal of debris, nesting material and rodent harborage.
- Modification of the property to prevent further rodent activity
- Monitoring to intercept future rodent activity before it has a chance to impact your life.
This program is safe, most effective means to rid your home of rodents today and insure that they do not come back tomorrow.
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