House Mouse

The house mouse is the species of mouse everyone thinks of when they hear the word mouse. It is because they live in close association with humans that they are one of the most familiar small mammals to humans. House mice are similar in size to our native deer mouse but they are a solid grayish-brown color above and below. Their tail is also scaly like a Norway rat and not covered with fur like the deer mouse.

House mice are occasionally found in fields, but usually in buildings. They will eat most anything and breed year round having as many as a dozen litters a year of 5-8 young each. Young are able to breed at six weeks. Because this mouse chooses to live near humans, it is considered a pest.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my House Mouse problem?

Norway Rat

This rat lives both with man, and in the open where vegetation is tall. It makes its home principally in a basement or a burrow under a sidewalk or outbuilding. It appears to be most common around feed stores, chicken houses and garbage dumps.

The Norway Rat is more at home on the ground, but has been seen crossing from one building to another along a telephone wire, so it is an excellent climber. Around poultry houses, the rat feeds extensively on eggs and young chickens. It has even been known to kill lambs and young pigs!

The Norway Rat is a source of food for the spotted skunk, barn owl and house cat, but because the rat is such a prolific breeder, these predators are often unable to keep the rat population in check. This rat is known to be a reservoir of bubonic plague, endemic typhus fever, rat bite fever, and a few other dreaded diseases. Therefore, buildings and garbage cans should be rat-proofed.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Norway Rat problem?

Pack Rats

The Pack Rat is a medium-sized rodent whose body measures about 8 inches, with the tail slightly shorter than the head and body combined. They typically vary in color from cinnamon to brown, gray, yellowish gray, or creamy buff, depending on the species and specimen. The underside is clearly more lightly colored than the upper part of the rat. Pack rats are distinguished from Norway or roof rats by having more hair on the ears than either of the other two rats.

Pack rats get their name from their habit of taking small, bright or shiny objects and hoarding them in their nests. They will take beer can tabs, bottle caps, bits of foil, coins, and jewelry just to name a few items. Often, Pack Rats strip wiring of is sheathing to line the interior of their nests with. This can result in damaged vehicles, inoperable wiring in areas with Pack Rat activity They are mainly nocturnal creatures but may be active during the day. After establishing themselves within a building, pack rats will feed on foods within the building but will continue to forage for most of their food outdoors. Pack rats occur throughout the United States except in a few states around the Great Lakes and the Northeastern United States. These rats tend to be more of a problem in buildings in the southwestern part of the country. Most species of pack rats are excellent climbers and can readily climb brick, stucco or wood sided homes. Most Pack Rats found in the Southwest are ground nesters and will dig burrows in which to live, usually at the base of a cactus, bush or in a swimming pool heater. Numerous rats may occupy a single den. Pack Rats are associated with a number of diseases that infect humans including plague and Lyme disease. Pack Rat nests are also havens for Conenose Bugs. These bugs serve as vectors (carriers) of the various diseases that the Pack Rats carry. For this reason, dead rats should never be handled using bare hands and care should be taken to avoid their ectoparasites, especially fleas and ticks.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Pack Rat problem?

Gophers

Gophers are a small rodent which appears in many states across America. Called "Pocket Gophers" because of pouches which are on each side of their mouths, these animals are often times mistaken for a rat, a chipmunk, a woodchuck or a squirrel. They are quite possibly the most common mis-identified animal in the United States! Gophers have small ears, barely noticeable, large incisors which constantly grow and forepaws which are big and clawed. Gopher incisors grow outside their lips so they are able to close their mouth all the way and are able to chew without getting dirt in their mouth.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Gopher problem?

Ground Squirrels

There are two principle species of ground squirrels, the California, the Rock, which are of economic importance in our Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas.

Ground squirrels can become a problem in the yard and around the home when their burrows lead to flooding. Their presence brings fleas and other insects or even worse, the transmission of disease. Ground squirrels will readily eat our gardens fruit and vegetables as well as our nuts and flowers. If left alone, they will quickly populate to levels which can cause mass destruction in little time. They will even move into our homes if given the chance.

The California ground squirrel is limited in it's range to mostly the west coast from the state of Washington down to Mexico. They like flat grasslands as opposed to forests but will live close to trees if they have to. They don't need much water and will readily feed upon any green vegetation including flowers, fruits and plants. They will also eat nuts and seeds. They live in burrows they dig and will occupy these burrows year after year. They have litters which have 7-10 young once a year. They live 3-5 years on average.

The Rock squirrel has a huge range extending from part of California through Arizona into Texas, Colorado and Nevada as well as Utah. As their name implies, they like to reside in rocky areas. This has enabled them to adjust well to roadside rock walls, fences and manmade ditches. Though they too will eat plants as a staple, Rock squirrels love nuts, seed and fruit and will readily feed on them when available. They average 3-5 young per litter per year and will live 4-6 years on average.

All ground squirrels have similarities. These similarities include digging and eating - both of which can cause a lot of damage in or around the home. Ground squirrels which start to live on your property will first have to dig burrows to nest. Though they will take advantage of old abandoned burrows, they are good diggers and will quickly construct a network of tunnels which will become the life support for their colonies. These tunnels will undermine cement slabs and foundations as well as present hazards to people and animals. Ground squirrel activity will inevitably bring with it insects like fleas along with several diseases and virus all of which present a hazard to people. Ground squirrels will eat just about any ornamental flower or plant and since they love fruits and vegetables, most gardens will become a favorite feeding station once found. Since they like to live close to where they eat, once they start feeding in your yard they will start to colonize. This colonization may eventually lead to some getting in the home. It is for this reason that you should try to keep them off your property and once you find activity, take necessary action to remove all animals.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Ground Squirrel problem?

Tree Squirrels

There are several species of squirrels, but here we are covering the tree squirrels in general and the damage and noise we often associate with them.

Tree Squirrels, for the most park lack natural predators in a urban environment. This means that they can reproduce without the pressures associated with life in the wild. When this is combined with increased construction and infringement on habitat areas, we start to see them in our attics and in other places in our homes. They seek warm, safe shelter during the fall and winter months in particular.

Gray squirrels are about 18 inches long, including their 9 inch tails. They way about 1-1.5 lbs as an adult. Their colorationsis usually gray, salt and pepper, but can have tan hairs in the fur as well, usually with a white belly. The winter coat is grey above with a white underside; the summer coat is shorter, sleeker and brownish grey above.

Gray squirrels are very active during the day They can inhabit the attic areas as well as crawl spaces. They like to enter the attic areas from your gutters and nearby trees and bushes. Installing gutter guards, or down spouts with screen may prevent them from climbing up to the roof through a down spout.

Red squirrels have red/brown upper parts in summer but may show some grey on the back in winter, leading to some confusion. Red squirrels are smaller, lighter, have ear tufts, prominent in the winter coat and brown on the legs and tail.

Diet consists of bird eggs, insects, berries, fruit, vegetables, nuts and nestling birds. They like to hoard their food.

Tree Squirrel Recommendations

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Tree Squirrel problem?

Skunks

There are five species of skunk in the United States. This includes the eastern, western striped, the hog nosed, the hooded and the spotted. Every state has at least one type; every state has some kind of a skunk problem. The skunk we have in our country all have at least one and some cases two litters a year. These litters can have at least two young or as many as ten. Skunks are nocturnal and will forage for food along established routes they know. Skunks don't fear many animals; their scent glands can eject up to 10 feet and if provoked, they will spray! Skunks, like porcupines, seem to be a common problem for dogs. Skunks eat just about everything including grubs, insects, plants, vegetables, fruit, frogs, small fish, garbage and just about anything you leave out in your yard which is organic. For this reason they can become a regular visitor leading to damage and smells most people don't want or like. Once they find good food, skunk like to take up residence. It is common to have them move under trailers, mobile homes, crawl spaces, porches, slabs or just about any place which is at ground level and can provide a roof. Spotted skunks are good climbers; they will readily move into attics or openings of any home, which will provide shelter. Because of the behaviors listed above, skunks can be a nuisance. When foraging for food in your yard, they will kill grass and plants. Garbage bags and cans will be turned over and strewn all around in search of food. Skunks will readily eat from gardens, fruit trees and storage bins. They will nest under homes creating smells that can be strong enough to force the residents to leave. Pet food, which is kept outside, will draw every skunk in the neighborhood and once they start coming around, it is only a matter of time before your pet is sprayed.

Skunk Control

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Skunk problem?