Mice/Rats Problems
Property Damage
- Mice/rats can cause damage to structures by gnawing on wood, wires, and make tunnels in insulation.
- They can create nests in walls, attics, and crawl spaces, which can lead to damage from urine and feces accumulation.
- The presence of mice/rats can cause unpleasant odours and stains from their urine and droppings.
- They can also damage property by chewing through bags and containers of food and other materials inside the home.
Health And Safety Risks
Mice/rats can carry and transmit diseases to humans, including salmonella, hantavirus, and leptospirosis.
Their urine and feces can contaminate food and water sources, leading to potential health risks for humans and pets.
Mice/rat infestations can cause respiratory problems, especially for people with allergies or asthma.
Discover more by visiting our section on facts about mice and rats.
I found some droppings inside my house, how can I tell if it's mice or rats?
If you have found droppings inside your house, it is important to identify the type of pest responsible to determine the best course of action for control. Here are some tips to help you tell whether the droppings are from mice or rats:
- Mouse droppings are small and measure about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length, while rat droppings are larger, measuring about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in length.
- Mouse droppings are shaped like small, dark pellets, while rat droppings are more oblong in shape and typically have blunt ends.
- Mouse droppings are scattered and may be found in groups, while rat droppings are usually found in small clusters.
Morphology and Lifestyle
Body length: Mice are typically 3-4 inches long, while rats can be up to 9-11 inches long (not including the tail).
Tail length: Mice have tails that are as long as their body or slightly shorter, while rat tails are longer than their body.
Weight: Mice weigh between 0.5-1 oz, while rats can weigh up to 1 lb or more.
Habitat: Mice and rats can live above ground, but they also spend a lot of time on the ground and in burrows.
Call: Mice and rats make high-pitched squeaks and chirps, and may also gnaw or scratch to communicate.
Lifespan: Mice typically live up to 2 years in the wild, while rats can live up to 3 years or more.
Did You Know?
Mouse and rat fact: Mice and rats have teeth that grow continuously, so they need to gnaw on hard materials to wear them down.
Mouse and rat fact: Rats are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to three minutes.
Mouse and rat fact: Mice and rats are social animals and will often live in large groups or colonies.
Mouse and rat fact: Both mice and rats are very adaptable and can thrive in a variety of environments, including urban areas.
39 Years Of Wildlife Removal Experience
At Gates Wildlife Control, we offer professional and effective animal removal and prevention solutions to keep raccoons, squirrels, and skunks from entering your home. We also provide effective rodent control services for mice and rat infestations. Our team is trained and experienced in the installation of one-way doors, which allow the animals to exit your attic or walls, but prevent them from returning. Contact us today for a free consultation and quote,to keep these animals out of your home for good.
Raccoons, squirrels, and skunks are common animals that can cause damage and create nuisances when they move into your attic or walls. They can chew on wires, damage insulation, leave droppings and debris, and even carry diseases and parasites.
One-way doors are a humane and effective way to remove these animals from your home and prevent them from returning. The doors are installed over the entry points the animals are using to access your attic or walls. Once the animals leave to forage for food, they are unable to re-enter the space through the one-way door.
At Gates Wildlife Control, we have the knowledge and equipment to effectively install one-way doors for raccoons, squirrels, and skunks. Our team will also assess your home and identify any potential entry points that need to be sealed off to prevent future intrusions.
In addition to installing one-way doors, we also offer repair services for damage caused by the animals and provide screening of potential entry points. This includes fixing holes in the roof or walls to prevent water from coming into the roof and walls and installing screens over roof vents, soffits and chimneys.
Don’t let raccoons, squirrels, or skunks take over your attic or walls. Contact Gates Wildlife Control today for a free consultation and quote, and keep these pests out of your home for good with our one-way door installation services.
Morphology and Lifestyle
- Wing span: Big Brown Bats – 32 to 39cm; Little Brown Bats – 22 to 27cm.
- Weight: Big Brown Bats – 11 to 25g; Little Brown Bats – 5 to 11g.
- Vocalization: Bats use high frequency echo-location that is hard to hear with the exception of some clicking sounds.
- Lifespan: Between 10 and 20 years with the rare bat living as long as 30 years.
Did You Know?
- Bat fact: Bats play an important role in our environment as they can consume up to 3,000 insects in one night.
- Bat fact: Bats in Canada will not fly in your hair and suck your blood.
- Bat fact: Bats can spread the rabies virus when infected with very little to no evidence of contact.
- Bat fact: Bats can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime.
- Bat fact: A bat can produce several times its own weight in waste each month.
- Bat fact: Bat colonies can range in size from one to several hundred and can double in size every year.
- Bat fact: Bats hibernate when the temperature drops below 10 degrees C.
More About Mice/Rats
Humane Raccoon Removal
Humane Skunk Removal
Humane Squirrel Removal
Do It Yourself Dangers
For the “do-it-yourselfer”, removing animals such as raccoons and squirrels and animal proofing can be a dangerous undertaking and best be left to an experienced professional. Over the years we have come across customers who attempted to do-it-themselves, only to sustain serious bodily harm by falling off ladders and roofs. One customer, startled by an aggressive mother raccoon fell through their ceiling onto the staircase below and broke his back.
