A Quick Introduction to the Mice and Rats of the Pacific Northwest

kphelps • Nov 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.

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