Released Oct. 11, 2007
SALINA, Kan. - A garage door left open - perhaps while someone rakes leaves or mows - is a "Y´all come" for the rodents and other wildlife now searching for food or winter shelter.
"Opossums, for example, are becoming a nuisance in parts of the central United States. They´re ranging closer to humans because of this year´s less-than-ideal growing season," said Chip Miller, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension. "When wildlife food supplies are short, we humans need closed and tightly fit doors, screens and garbage can lids."
As usual, though, Norway rats and house mice are the most likely to barge inside, Miller said. They´re commensal rodents - they like living close to or with humans, eating human foods.
Rats can squeeze into a building through any dime-size (1/2 inch) opening. Mice just need a pencil eraser-size (1/4 inch) hole. The entry can be an unrepaired foundation crack or an opening around a pipe, utility line, vent, grate or drain.
Typically, where the entry is doesn´t matter, he said. These rodents are talented climbers, able to go almost straight up if they have some traction. In human terms, they´d be world-class jumpers. They´re also adept at "tightrope walking" across utility lines, cables and tree branches.
Even modern, well-constructed buildings aren´t safe from an invasion, Miller said. Cracks can develop as a result of building renovations, settling or age. Rats and mice can gnaw through anything remotely "chewable," including wood, plaster, caulk, latex, plastic and rubber.
"Steel wool is a good temporary plug," he said. "But then use concrete or metal plates."
In theory, house cats and dogs kill rodents, but most aren´t very good at it. In fact, big Norway rats are known for living with humans´ pets, Miller said. Rats and mice get by with such behavior because they´re most active at night, have acute senses, are good at hiding and will bite.
More about invading wildlife is at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/neao/wildlife_habitats.htm.
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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/
Contact: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu
