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Not so fun facts - Rodents
Here in the Pacific Northwest most of our rodent problems are caused by the Norway Rat, the Roof Rat and the House Mouse. Here are just some of the reasons why these pests prove so formidable.
 Rats
- Rats can jump vertically 36 inches and horizontally 48 inches. Dropping from a height of 50 feet doesn't kill or seriously injure rats.
- Rats have flexible skulls and can fit through openings a half-inch in diameter.
- Rats constantly gnaw anything softer than their teeth, including lead and aluminum sheeting, improperly cured concrete, sun-dried adobe brick, and wood.
- Rats can easily climb brick or other rough walls that offer footholds, and can travel along power lines and ropes.
- Roof rats are agile climbers and can shimmy up the outside of three-inch-diameter pipes or between spout pipes and walls.
- Norway rats can burrow to a depth of 4 feet.
- Norway rats can swim up to a half-mile, dive through water plumbing traps, and travel in sewer lines, even against strong currents. And yes, if you have an older home, rats can appear in your toilet.
- With up to 7 litters per year, as many as 12 offspring per litter, and sexual maturity in as little as 2 months, 2 rats under ideal conditions could multiply to 30,000 in one year! Fortunately, conditions are not always ideal, but even from 2 to 30 in one year is way beyond what any homeowner needs.
Mice
- Extremely curious, mice are quick to explore any new additions to their environment.
- Mice can fall or jump from a height of 12 feet without injury.
- Mice can leap at least 12 inches vertically.
- Like rats, mice have flexible skulls and can fit through openings a quarter-inch in diameter.
- Mice can easily scale any vertical surface that is textured or rough enough to allow a toehold.
- Mice can walk along telephone wires, ropes, and cables.
- Mice are good swimmers when they have to be.
- With up to 8 litters per year, as many as 6 offspring per litter, and sexual maturity at the age of 1 month, 2 mice could multiply to 150,000 in one year! Luckily that never happens, but people around the planet have been plagued by incredible mouse populations.
Your Cascade Inspect and Protect service will help keep your home safe from rodents and other pests.
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
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| © 2008 Cascade Pest Control, a div. of Treftz Corporation. All rights reserved. - 14950 SE Allen Road, Bellevue, WA 98006 |
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