Phoenix is home to a variety of different rodents, with the most common ones being pack rats, house mice, and roof rats. They all share similar qualities as well as different ones in regards to size, nesting habits, and eating preferences. You can be sure about one thing they all have in common: rodents can be very destructive to structures and they also pose health problems. Not only do they chew on electric wiring and gnaw on pipes, they make nests in your stored clothing and breed in your attic. Plus, they poop and pee everywhere!
You can’t let them take over your home. Hire a rodent exterminator in Phoenix if you spot a rodent of any kind on your property. Keep in mind, most Phoenix rodents are nocturnal, which means they’re active at night when you’re sleeping so it’s hard to even know you have them. Let’s take a look at the most common rodents found in Phoenix.
1. House Mice
The house mouse seeks out basic food and shelter, and needs humans as the gateway. You see them a lot in houses and outbuildings such as sheds. Smaller in size than rats, house mice have gray coats and off-white underbellies. They don’t eat much but they sure can poop! They only ingest about a tenth of an ounce of food daily, yet produce 50 droppings a day that will contaminate your stored food products.
2. Pack Rats
Pack rats also go by the name wood rats, and they’re a common sight in central Arizona desert areas. Here are the three types of pack rats:
- Whitethroat pack rat
- Mexican pack rat
- Stephen’s pack rat
Your exterminator will know which one you have. Pack rats have fur on their tails, and have white paws and underbellies. They stretch to between six and eight inches long, posing a threat to human health and safety. That’s because they line their living areas with thick layers of feces and urine.
3. Deer Mice
Deer mice spread diseases such as the hantavirus. You can get this when you breathe in dust particles containing their saliva, feces, or urine. They like to nest in outdoor tree cavities and animal burrows, as well as indoor storage boxes and cabinet drawers. You’re more likely to come across these in rural areas.
4. Roof Rats
They also go by the name black rats, and that’s because they are black or dark brown. They feature long, hairless tails longer than the length of their bodies. Roof rats grow quite large – in fact, they can grow up to 18 inches long. They like to make their nests in upper levels of homes such as ceilings and attics. They’ve also been known to nest in piles of debris, trees, dense vegetation, and woodpiles. Roof rats get into homes via electric wires or tree limbs.
5. Norway Rats
Larger than roof rats or house mice, Norway rats grow to about 10 inches long. They have hairless tails that are shorter than their bodies, and their coloring is grayish-brown. They have been known to jump far, and they scrounge for food scraps at nighttime. They carry Lyme disease, plague, and leptospirosis, to name a few, and have durable teeth for gnawing. This helps them bite through wiring, insulation, and even cement.
Rodent Exterminator in Phoenix, AZ
Think you have a rodent infestation in your home? Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free quote and rodent inspection at 602-338-9223. Our pest control experts in Phoenix can examine the situation and recommend the best course of treatment.