Interesting facts about mice and rats

The fall season marks the beginning of cooler temperatures, causing mice and rats to search for warmth indoors. These sneaky pests will look to make anywhere their home as they seek refuge inside a wide variety of structures, including commercial businesses like restaurants, hotels, and educational institutions.

Rodents can be a huge problem for commercial property owners, and no business owner should fall victim to a rodent infestation. Here are some facts you should know about rodents to keep your business safe.

Rat teeth are stronger than iron

Rats' incisor teeth, the front teeth they use to gnaw on things, never stop growing. Consequently, they must constantly gnaw and chew to wear them down. Their incisors are also powerful and are rated a 5.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale – iron has a lower rate at 5.0. This is why these long-toothed creatures can chew their way into even the most advanced buildings. They can also chew through IT equipment, fleet truck wires, food packaging, and building insulation.

No water? No problem for mice

Mice can get all the water they need, about a tablespoon daily, through food consumption. However, if a water source is available, they will take advantage of it. 

In addition, mice will eat almost anything left out in the open, not just cheese, which is an age-old misconception. This is why mice can cause severe issues for restaurants and food processing facilities that offer many meal options.

Mice breed quickly

A female house mouse can have up to 10 litters a year, each containing anywhere from three to 14 offspring. This rapid breeding process is why a singular mouse problem can quickly evolve into a mouse infestation. It is crucial to learn the signs of mice early on to save your business from costly structural repairs and prevent diseases from spreading.

Rodents can spread viruses

There are four species of rodents in North America – cotton rats, rice rats, deer mice, and white-footed mice – that can carry hantavirus. In humans, this virus can cause a sometimes deadly respiratory disease known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Not only can rodents spread bacteria and disease, but they can also trigger asthma and allergy symptoms or carry with them fleas and mites. Any of which can heavily impact the well-being of your customers and employees.

Rats are trained athletes

Black rats (Rattus rattus) are superior climbers and can thrive in the upper parts of buildings – earning them one of their other names, the roof rat. Their skill at climbing buildings helps them make nests and find food in places that are hard for other rodents to reach. This ability to live in high places can be a big problem for businesses and people who own commercial buildings as rats can get into upper storage areas, attics, and other hidden spaces.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent a mouse or rat infestation at your business. Rentokil offers a variety of rodent control solutions, including Rodent and Wildlife Exclusion featuring the Flexi Armour product range, interior and exterior rodent management, and our PestConnect remote rodent monitoring devices to help resolve rodent issues faster with minimal disruption to your business. If you are currently experiencing a rodent problem or need help identifying a rodent on your property, call the experts at Rentokil at 1-855-633-6260 or contact us online today.