Rats (Order:Rodentia)
Description: A family of rodents, such as mice or rats, that share the living quarters with humans. These are small creatures that carry diseases and continually gnaw and chew their way through structures.
Developmental Biology: When living conditions are right for rodents, they multiply rapidly. For example, a female mouse will have approximately 8 litters in her lifetime. Within those eight litters, four to seven pups will be born. Within three to four weeks, they are leaving the nest and beginning to feed on solid food. They will sexual mature at five to eight weeks and the cycle will continue with new litters. The female rat, for example, gives birth to eight to twelve pups per litter and may have up to eight litters per year. Sexual maturity is reached at twelve weeks.
General Behavior: Rodents behavior vary from situation to situation depending on the dwelling. Usually rodents will build nests close to a food source. The nest may be within dresser drawers, closets, attics etc. An average territory for a mouse is approximately ten to thirty feet from the nest. A rat's territory may extend between fifty and one hundred fifty feet of its nest. It is not uncommon, though, for a rat to travel up to 300 feet for food or water. Rats are also vary suspicious. They posses a behavior known as "neo phobia" or "fear of the new". Any new objects or food within their territory is cause to be wary.
Method of Infestation: Rats or mice take advantage of the small openings or cracks in a house. The opening only needs to be 1/4" for mice and 1/2" for rats for them to enter a home. Points that utility lines enter a home may be an entrance, vents on a roof , etc.
Management: First an inspection must be performed to identify any openings for entry. Then exclusion, baiting or use of glue boards will eliminate a population.
