Rodent Rundown: Keeping These Dangerous Pests Away From Your Tampa Property

Common Rodent Species: Identifying Different Types Of Rodents

Before we learn about the specific different types of rodents in the Tampa area, we need to understand the characteristics of these warm-blooded animals. The distinguishing feature of rodents is an upper and lower pair of constantly growing incisor teeth. Since these teeth continually grow, rodents gnaw on surrounding objects to keep them from becoming unmanageable. For example, the incisor teeth of rats increase about four inches yearly, and a rat will eventually starve to death because it cannot eat due to overgrown teeth if it does not trim its teeth. When they chew on objects, the hard enamel front and soft dentine backside of their incisor teeth create a razor's edge. Thus, rodents can chew through plastic, glass, thin metals, wood, and roots. Wild rodents (e.g., beavers) can cut down small trees using these razor-sharp teeth. 

Some rodents are wild animals that avoid human contact, but commensal rodents do not mind sharing space with humans. Rats and mice are in this category and are common invaders of Tampa homes. You may wonder what kind of rats and mice are entering houses, so let's get deeper into the specifics. 

Three rat species are problematic in Florida: Norway, roof, and wood rats. Norway rats have a 7 to 9 1/2-inch long body covered with brown fur interspersed with black hairs on the topside; underneath, Norway rats have a grey or white belly. This nocturnal rat species has a blunt muzzle, small eyes and ears, and a 6 to 8-inch tail. Norway rats are content to live outside in burrows underneath yard debris, but when adverse weather conditions occur, they try to enter homes. If Norway rats find entry access, they gravitate to the basement and lower floors, where they live underneath undisturbed materials.

Roof rats have a slightly smaller 6 to 8-inch body with the same coloration as Norway rats with the additional possibility of a black belly. These rats have scaly 6 to 8-inch tails, large ears and eyes, and thin bodies. Roof rats use tree branches and shrubbery to access the upper floors and attics of homes where they live underneath debris and insulation. 

Wood rats, also known as trade and pack rats, have the same body characteristics as Norway rats but have a hair tail rather than a scaly one. These rats pick up shiny objects (nuts, bolts, nails, etc.) and carry them to their nests, hence the name "trade rats." Wood rats typically live outside but occasionally invade homes.  

House mice are another rodent that invades Tampa homes. These 2 1/2 to 3 3/4-inch cream-colored rodents have a round body, large ears, pointed muzzle, and an additional 2 3/4 to 4-inch tail. Although there are other mice species, most mice infestations are from house mice due to their high reproductive rate. These mice prefer to live inside homes in dark, secluded areas in nests constructed from paper, fabrics, insulation, etc. 

Whether you have rats or mice, EcoTech has the experience and tools to rid your Tampa home of all types of pet rodents.

Rodents And Your Health: What You Need To Know

The fur that covers the bodies of rats and mice is oil and attracts dirt, grim, and disease-causing organisms. These rodents forage in sewers, drains, trash, compost piles, and animal feces for organic plant and animal matter. As they move through these unsanitary locations, bacteria and viruses stick to their fur. Furthermore, fleas, ticks, and other parasitic insects live in these areas; insects that jump, quest, or crawl onto their bodies as the rodents root around. 

Rodents are active at night; however, they do not have good eyesight. Therefore, the combination of a dark environment and the inability to see results in the rodents bumping against objects as they move through the house and leave pathogen-filled grease marks. All living create defecate, and rodents are no exception. Rodents spread infected urine and feces as they walk through cabinets and on the top of countertops. Due to their desire to gnaw, they leave bacteria-laden saliva on foods and packaging materials. 

Leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, tularemia, salmonellosis, jaundice, cowpox virus, and trichinosis are diseases spread by rats and mice. Fleas and ticks transmit some of the same bacterial and viral infections, plus additional ones; they also spread tapeworms, particularly to children and pets. 

Rodent fecal matter may cause additional health problems when it dries and circulates through the ventilation system. When occupants inhale fecal particles, they may experience allergic reactions and asthma attacks. 

EcoTech protects your family's health from infectious diseases and other rodent-caused maladies by a rodent infestation in your house.