If you hear the patter of tiny feet in the walls or across your roof you have just experienced what is commonly known as rattus rattus or roof rat. Roof rats reside in most all of the Houston area and these critters have different habits than normal everyday rat. If you hear the scratching and gnawing more likely it is mice or known to scientists as mus musculus.
The Look of It
Roof rats have a general sleek gray appearance with a belly of white, buff or gray. Smaller in size with an of average of 5 to 10 ounces these rodents tail has a length of about 4 inches. The ears can pull over the eyes giving a comical appearance of peek a boo baby.
Mice on the other hand are quite a bit smaller around 5 inches counting their tails. The fur varies in color from white to gray to brown sometimes with patches of different color.
Habits
Roof rats received their name due to the fact they become aerial. In the Houston area they will travel along limbs of trees or vines to get on the rooftops. They have been known to literally climb up the wall right into a crack or crevice into the attic. Most of the time they live up in the trees in landscaped residential areas or even industrial area if it has greenery. They have similar food habits like squirrels eating fruit, nuts, grains, and seeds. Sometimes they prefer greenery on shrubs and native plants. Often opportunists, roof rats will eat dog food and cat food, as well. Some pest control companies have correlated the acorn crop in an area with the amount of roof rat sightings. The rattus rattus requires water daily. For whatever reason they need high amounts of water to fully function. Other than that these rodent’s adaptability to environmental conditions and ability to eat a wide range of food makes them durable and hardy.
Mice have similar needs. They burrow underground more often and are nocturnal. Their habitat covers more expanse and includes grasslands and forests. Once their food supply diminishes, they are known to enter homes through tiny cracks and crevices to “hunt” for human food.
Breeding and Babies
When and where to breed varies depending on habitat. In a semitropical area such as Houston it happens all year round. The rats breed more in spring and fall. They build their nests off the ground and can be mistaken for squirrel nests. After breeding female rats have babies 21 to 23 days later. Baby roof rats are born helpless with no fur and eyes closed. Anywhere from 9 to 14 days the eyes open and a bit before that they develop hair. Baby rats nurse for 4 to 5 weeks and then imitate the mothers feeding habits. They become fully developed at 3 months ready to breed. So rat populations of large numbers can develop quickly given if enough food and water exist in an area, with 5 to 8 baby rats per litter an area can become inundated.
Mice begin breeding 4 to 7 weeks of age. They give birth in 19 to 21 days with 4 to 12 babies. The traits of babies are similar to rats. Mice can have more litters per year and more mice overall. It is very important to rid your home of these rodents before their numbers get out of control.
Behavior
These roof rats travel long distances, and so do mice. They congregate in an area and establish a social order. Dominant rats or mice feed more often and steal from less aggressive rats. The ability to travel to a different habitat can negate this characteristic. In residential homes they tear up insulation or gnaw electrical wires sometimes. They prefer overgrown shrubs, vines and ornamentals than attics. Attics prove a useful escape from cold or storm. To know if rats have entered an area look for smudge marks. Roof rats leave oil and dirt in a trail on their aerial routes. You rarely find urine or droppings with these rats. Mice on the other had leave urine and dropping trails.
Rodent Proofing & Removal
Best call a professional exterminator since the rats and mice are clever. Reducing food and water sources, and eliminating nest sites helps, but is not always possible. Preventive Pest Control Houston can help you make the changes that deter rodents, and rid you of any current rodent problems you are facing before things get out of control. Call our service professionals today to schedule an appointment!