Rodents
Mice
The house mouse is gray, three to four inches long with a
tail three to four inches long. House mice easily squeeze through holes
and gaps wider than 1/4 inch. The major health risk associated with
house mice are salmonella contamination and leptospirosis.
Rats
The head and body are seven to ten inches long with a
tail six to eight inches long. Rats are nocturnal. Outside rats prefer
to nest under sidewalks, and concrete pads, stream/river banks, railroad
track beds, and next to buildings. The rat can enter buildings through
1/2 inch and larger gaps. In buildings they prefer to nest in the lower
levels of the building, crawlspace, basement, and sewers. Preferred
foods are meat, fish, and cereals.
Moles
Moles have velvety blue-black to gray mohair-like fur,
a slender snout, needle like teeth, with flattened feet, claws and
inconspicuous ears. They can grow from 6'-12" long depending on species.
Moles may be distinguished from meadow voles, gophers, and shrews by
their naked, pointed nose that extends well in front of the mouth. Moles
have small eyes and ears that are concealed by fur. Their spade like
fore feet are wider than they are long. Discharged mounded soil and
heaved runways are indicators of the mole's presence.
Voles
A meadow vole has a long, cylindrical, fur-covered
body with chunky build and a short tail. It has a rounded nose and ears
that are partially buried in its black or brown fur. Their fore and hind
paws differ in that the front paws have four toes whereas their hind
paws have five. On average, they are 16 cm in length and weigh about 50
grams.
