Released Oct. 18, 2007
SALINA, Kan. - House mice and Norway rats often go unnoticed as they eat human food - and anything else available - plus contaminate a lot more than they eat with urine, droppings and hair.
They´re generally unseen as they damage human structures with burrowing and incessant gnawing, said Kansas State University Research and Extension horticulturist Chip Miller.
At the same time, one or both rodents may also be carrying an ugly array of human diseases.
"Sanitation and ensuring your house is tight are the big ways to avoid attracting rodents," Miller said. "Sanitation alone won´t do the job, though. House mice, in particular, can survive in small areas with no water and limited amounts of food and shelter. That's why most places where food is handled or stored - no matter how clean they are - have problems unless people are vigilant."
Part of that vigilance is periodically checking for small building-entry cracks or holes to plug and seal. But, another is staying on the lookout for clues that control measures are needed, because the wily rodents are already present, he said.
"The signs will look much the same, except for size," Miller said. "Gnaw marks, wood shavings and droppings tend to be the first clues. Or, tracks may show up in mud or dust."
Rats and mice also emit a characteristic musky smell And sometimes greasy "skid" marks appear low on walls or along rafters where the rodents are maintaining a run.
"Particularly at night, when the rodents become most active, you may hear noises, too - squeaks, gnawing, clawing, fighting and skittery climbing inside your walls," Miller said. "But, you´ll probably just see a rodent, especially during daylight hours, only if you´re housing a real crowd."
Finding their burrows, nests or total runways is difficult, he warned. These rodents like hidden, sheltered locations - in storage areas, behind cabinets or appliances, in the attic or basement, in a firewood stack, under thick garden mulch or yard debris, or near a garbage can.
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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/
Contacts: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu
