Rodent Identification Guide

All About Mice & Rats in Utah

Rodents are warm-blooded mammals found worldwide. They make up the largest group of mammals and are comprised of over 1,500 species. Rodents are opportunistic creatures, and those living near people will take advantage of having their basic needs met by us. Two of the most common rodent intruders that move into our Salt Lake City homes and businesses are mice and rats.

Mice, rats, and all other rodents have one thing in common: front incisors on their top and bottom jaws that continuously grow. To prevent their teeth from overgrowing and to keep their teeth sharp, rodents chew on anything they come across. Rodents living in or near our homes or businesses are not only annoying pests, but their chewing habits make them very damaging pests.

Are rodents dangerous?

Rodents that have found their way into Utah area homes and businesses will chew on many things to help prevent their teeth from overgrowing. Electrical wires, pipes, cables, drywall, furniture, and our personal belongings are all things that are damaged by rodents. As rodents travel through a structure, they leave behind a trail of urine and feces that contaminates insulation, food sources, food prep areas, and other surfaces.

Mice and rats also pose many health risks to people. They spread things like hantavirus, leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, and salmonella. The fleas and ticks that live on the bodies of rodents can also spread diseases to people.

Why do I have a rodent problem?

Rodents can become a problem on any property. Mice and rats are nocturnal, hiding during the day in their nesting spots and emerging at night to feed. They are most attracted to homes and businesses that offer them easy access to food and shelter.

Things like open garbage cans, compost piles, gardens, fruit trees, and bird feeders are common attractants for rodents. Rodents are active throughout the entire year and, if given access, will move inside our homes and businesses at any time of the year. Rodents move inside while foraging for food, looking for protected nesting sites, or escaping harsh weather conditions. Common entry points include cracks in the foundation, gaps under doors, or holes along the roofline.

Where will I find rodents?

In the ecosystem, a rodent's central role is to serve as prey for other large animals. Rodents like to live in sheltered areas that provide them with lots of protection in order to keep from being another animal's next meal.

Outside, mice and rats nest and hide in gardens, tall grass, dense vegetation, woodpiles, between rocks, tree stumps, and under fallen trees. Inside, these rodents nest in protected areas like behind walls, in attics, in basement clutter, in closets or cabinets, in boxes, and behind large appliances.

How can I prevent rodents in the future?

Keep your Utah home and yard protected from rodents with the help of Pest Pro Pest Control and the following prevention tips:

• Seal up any entry points that lead to your house.
• Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
• Get rid of their access to the trash by keeping tight-fitting or locking lids on all trash cans.
• Limit their access to food by picking up uneaten pet food, keeping locking lids on compost bins, and removing bird feeders from your property.
• Eliminate overgrown areas of vegetation on your property.
• Cut trees and shrubs away from your home's exterior.
• Limit clutter in your yard or your home where rodents can hide.

Contact Pest Pro today for effective rodent control in Salt Lake City.