Rodent Control & Exterminator

All rodents share a few common characteristics including: robust bodies covered in fur, shorter legs, longer tails and a pair of incisor teeth that never stop growing. Rodents gnaw through wood, plastic, pipes, aluminum siding, and sheet rock to find shelter and food. Most rodents prefer eating plant foods like seeds, grains, and small fruit. However, mice and rats are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of plant and animal products.

House mice and Norway rats are the most common rodent species to invade homes in Illinois. Rodent pests are commensal, which means “to share the table.” Commensal rodents are generally found living in close association with humans and dependent upon the human habitat for shelter and food. Mice and Norway rats inhabit homes, gardens, farms, food stores, apartments and commercial buildings.

Although house mice and Norway rats share a few common characteristics, the major differences between them is their size and diet. The typical house mouse is 2-4” in length, as opposed to the Norway rat, which can measure up to 9” in length. Both rodents are omnivores, eating both plants and animals. Norway rats prefer meat, livestock feed, pet food, and fish. Mice prefer carbohydrate rich foods like grains, fruits, and seeds.

The adult house mouse is light brown to nearly black in color, with a slightly lighter belly. House mice range in total size from 5-8” in length, including their tail. Their ears are quite large in comparison to their small, furry bodies. The tail of a house mouse is hairless and as long as their body and head combined. An adult house mouse weighs up to one ounce, although some mice may be heavier.

Norway rats, also known as brown rats, are robust rodents measuring 16” in total length from its snout to the end of its tail. Despite their large size, Norway rats possess small ears and eyes. These rodents are generally brown to brownish-gray in color and the length of their tail is shorter than their body. The body of the Norway rat is covered in short, dense fur and adults can weigh between 7-18 ounces.

When choosing nesting sites near homes, house mice will construct nests outdoors in ground burrows, barns and sheds, and will construct nests indoors in walls, attics, storage boxes, and under appliances. Norway rats prefer to live in underground tunnels or burrows. Burrows are constructed outdoors along foundations and gardens or may be found inside homes, in basements and crawl spaces.

Rodents are exceptional climbers, using their athletic abilities to gain access to homes. Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime and rats only need a gap the size of a quarter. House mice and Norway rats enter homes through gaps and crevices around dryer vents, utility pipes, exterior doors and chimneys. When Norway rats invade homes, they usually remain in the basement or ground floor.

Rodents are known to spread more than 35 diseases, including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia and Salmonella. These diseases can be spread to humans directly by handling live or dead rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, and through rodent bites. Additionally, the droppings and urine of house mice and rats contain allergens that can trigger rhinitis in susceptible individuals.

Due to their gnawing damage, rodent infestations hold the potential for serious damage related to explosions and fires. Accounts of rodents starting fires by carrying matches to their hiding places, as well as causing short circuits through the gnawing of electrical wires have been widely reported. Chewed, exposed wires inside walls can spark, causing interior walls to catch fire. Norway rats may undermine building foundations and slabs with their burrowing activities.

Visual sightings of live or dead rodents, droppings, or gnaw marks on door corners, baseboards and walls are common signs of a rodent infestation. Rat droppings are dark with blunt ends and ¾” long, and mice droppings are smaller with pointed ends. As Norway rats tend to travel the same routes, they create smudge marks along walls as they deposit oil and dirt from their fur. Scratching sounds at night are another sign of a rodent infestation.

Rodents enter homes for three reasons—shelter, warmth and food. Rats and mice are warm blooded and if they have access, will nest in attics, wall voids, garages and crawl spaces. Rodents are attracted to food sources like grains, nuts, meat, birdseed, pet food, garbage and anything salty or sweet. Dripping pipes and leaky faucets provide rodents with a water resource. Additionally, Norway rats are attracted to compost piles and pet waste debris in yards.

Three steps homeowners can take to help eliminate rodent issues are inspection, sanitation and exclusion. Inspect your home for signs of rodents and seal off entry points by rodent-proofing your home. Snap traps, live traps and glue boards can be an easy and inexpensive way to get rid of rodents. However, to achieve total control of a rodent issue, a pest management professional may be required to eliminate the infestation for good.

Natural methods to control rodents include the use of essential oils, steel wool and humane traps. Rodents dislike peppermint and citronella oil. Soak cotton balls with oil and place near areas of rodent activity. Steel wool may irritate rodent’s mouths and can be used to fill gaps and cracks. Humane traps allow you to catch and release rodents, just be sure to release them at least a mile away from your home.

To deter rodents, eliminate access to your home and remove any food and water resources that attract them. Outdoors, pick up pet waste, clean up around bird feeders or use a “no-waste bird food”, and remove leaf litter. Seal cracks around utility cables, outdoor vents or pipe work with steel wool or silicone-based caulk. Keep your home clean and free of clutter, and use tight fitting lids on trash bins.