The house mouse (or field mouse if living in rural
areas) is one of the most common pests on the south plains. One of the common
characteristics of the mouse is
its strong curiosity. Pest control professionals can use this natural curiosity
against itself to help remove this pest. Mice are omnivores, and will eat most
anything, making baiting an attractive pest control solution. Much attention has
been given to mice recently with the recognition of the haunta virus in Texas
and New Mexico. This disease may be carried by large numbers of mice and can be
passed to humans when we come in contact with their droppings.
An excellent climber, the norway rat
is unafraid of living in close proximity to humans if there is a food source
near. Norway rats
have been
known to enter homes through holes/cracks as small as 1/4 inch in width. The
main danger to humans comes not from the rat itself, but the mites and/or fleas
that it might carry. This rat, like most rodents, can harbor rabies and even the
bubonic plague. Careful and complete inspections of building exteriors, combined
with aggressive trapping of any spotted "unwanted guests" can eliminate a rat
problem.