Types of Rodents Common to California

Mice and rats get all of the attention, but California is home to many different kinds of rodents both large and small. Getting to know them and the signs they leave behind may just prove helpful someday, should they ever sneak into your home. So take a few minutes to learn about the different types of rodents that you might encounter here in the Golden State.

Learn more about: 

• Most Common Rodents in California
• Do Rats Bite?
• Signs of a Rodent Infestation
• What Attracts Mice To My House?
• How Do I Get Rid Of Rodents In My House? 

Most Common Rodents in California

Here in California, the rodents that you’re most likely to find in your home are:

• Norway Rats
• Roof Rats
• House Mice
• Tree Squirrels
• Voles
• Kangaroo rats

Instances of close encounters and infestations will vary greatly depending on where you live. For example, urban environments are most likely to be plagued by Norway, Roof Rats, and House Mice. Voles and Tree Squirrels abound in trees and lawn-filled suburbs while still further out, Kangaroo Rats prefer rural environments. Wherever you live and whichever unique rodent-related pressures you might face, keeping them out of your house is essential to maintaining your family’s health and well-being. 

Do Rats Bite?

Unfortunately, yes, rats do bite. Or rather, rats can bite. When healthy and behaving normally, rats prefer to run and hide when confronted by potential threats. However, when cornered and presented with limited options, rats are known to lunge and bite as a means of self-defense. This is why we strongly discourage our customers from attempting to remove rats from their homes independently, as the likelihood of injury can be high without proper handling experience. 

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

While a rodent infestation is stressful and even potentially dangerous, you aren’t powerless to fight back. In fact, mice, rats, and all other rodents tend to leave behind a few telltale signs of their activity, including:

• Rustling or chewing sounds coming from behind walls.
• Grease marks on or small holes in baseboards.
• Rodent footprints are often found in the kitchen or food storage areas.
• Bite marks on food packaging.
• Strange pet behavior without an obvious explanation.
• Bits of shredded paper or cardboard found in your home.
• Unpleasant smells coming from difficult-to-access or out-of-the-way areas of your home.

What Attracts Mice To My House?

Mice typically come into your home for one of two reasons: easily accessible food and safe, comfortable nesting. Small, possessed of limited defensive capabilities, and constantly vulnerable in the wild, it’s little wonder that mice are always on the lookout for safety. With its minimal threats and stockpiles of tempting food, your home can look like a paradise to a scared, hungry mouse. Knowing that, preventative measures and routine home maintenance are among the most effective ways to stop an infestation from happening in the first place. 

How Do I Get Rid Of Rodents In My House?

DIY rodent control can be difficult and is often an immensely frustrating experience. After all, rodents are some of nature’s most clever and stubborn pests. Still, there’s plenty that you can do to stop rodents from coming inside in the first place and a few steps you can take if they’re already inside including:

• Storing loose foodstuffs in secure containers.
• Regularly disposing of spoiled fruits and vegetables. 
• Performing routine kitchen cleaning as often as possible.
• Taking out trash on a regular basis.
• Stationing any bird feeders far from your home’s entrances as rodents love birdseed. 
• Tightly sealing garbage cans both in and outside of the house.
• Investing in sonic or chemical-based rodent repellents and reliable traps.
• Getting professional rodent control.

When looking to finally get a rodent-free home, you can’t afford anything but the best. And when you call Big Time Exterminators, that’s exactly what you’ll get! We use cutting-edge techniques and the safest, most dependable rodent control products in your home to achieve the results that you deserve. So the next time you see a mouse or rat scurrying across your kitchen, contact us for our fast and effective rodent services.