Rodents in Utah
You’ve heard the phrase about hearing the bump in the night… well, here in Southern Utah that’s a real thing! While we don’t have many ghosts and ghouls in our walls and attics, we have rodents! The mice and rats get in and build themselves nice cozy little nests in the walls of our homes and settle in until you kick them out! Southern Utah is plagued with many different types of rodents. Rodents that are found in Utah include Field Mice, House Mice, Norway Rats, Pack Rats, and Roof Rats.
What Are Field Mice?
The field mouse is a cousin to the rat and the two share certain attributes. For instance, the coloring of these rodents is similar, blacks, browns, and whites. Though, more commonly mice will be more white or gray than others. Field mice do not share the large front teeth of rats and their claws are much smaller. The tail is usually as long as the body and is completely hairless. Field mice have extremely small, but sharp claws attached to their short legs.
What Are House Mice?
The house mouse is a small mammal, characteristically having a pointed snout, small rounded ears, and a long naked or almost hairless tail. These mice rapidly breed and are extremely adaptable to changing conditions. They are light brown to light gray in color and they feed upwards of 20 times per day. House mice cause damage to wood, plastic, clothing, and drywall.
What Are Norway Rats?
The Norway rat is a stocky burrowing rodent, unintentionally introduced into North America by settlers who arrived on ships from Europe. Also called the brown rat, house rat, barn rat, sewer rat, gray rat, or wharf rat, it is a slightly larger animal than the roof rat. Adult Norway rats weigh an average of 1 pound. Their fur is coarse and usually brownish or reddish gray above and whitish gray on the belly.
What Are Pack Rats?
The pack rat is noted for its habit of collecting bright, shiny objects and leaving other objects, such as nuts or pebbles, in their place. They are also referred to as trade rats or wood rats. Most common in the southern and western parts of the United States, but found as far south as Nicaragua, these rats store the objects it collects to decorate its nest. Pack rats may reach a length of 18 in. (45.7 cm) including the tail, has soft brown fur, and resemble a squirrel with large ears. They eat nuts, berries, seeds, twigs, and roots. Their nest is a large stick structure built in a sheltered area. The desert species adorns its nest with bits of cactus, turning it into an impenetrable fortress. A litter is born after a gestation period of 33 to 39 days and contains from two to six young.
What Are Roof Rats?
The roof rat is dark brown to black in color and measures 13 to 18 inches in length including tail. They weigh 5-9 ounces, are slender, and their ears are large and nearly hairless. Their droppings are long and cylindrical.
Protect Your Home From Rodents
If you're finding even one mouse or rat in your home, it can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation. Rodents are able to reproduce at an alarming rate. If you are hearing that bump in the night and suspect rodent activity I would recommend talking with a professional pest control company before you are overrun with them. If you're located in Southern Utah, contact Western Pest Control. We will take care of all your rodent problems with our rodent control in Utah! For the best rodent exterminators in St. George, Cedar City, and the surrounding areas, contact us today!