Kona Coast Pest Control Inc
"Targeting Our Customers' Specific Issues & Needs"
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Roof Rats are excellent climbers and are usually found in the upper parts of structures or above ground in trees, in dense overgrown vegetation, or in piles of wood or debris. They prefer fresh plant materials such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and tree bark. They frequent citrus and avocado trees. They are wary of crossing open spaces with no cover and prefer to travel along edges, along pipes or along walls. They tend to be wary of new objects in their territory and will gnaw and leave marks on almost anything, including wood, chip board, lead pipes, cinder blocks, metal, and even glass. They are excellent swimmers, can fit into openings the size of a nickel and can climb vertical pipes up to 3 inches in diameter or any size if they are within 3 inches from a wall. Rats are mainly active at night. Seeing them during the day can mean a heavy infestation.

Signs of a rodent infestation can be droppings, damage to food containers and structures, rub marks along the bottom of the walls where rats may have a path they frequently use. Runs or burrows along foundation, walls, fences or under bushes or debris. Tracks, noises or smells can also be good indicators.

 

 

 

 Mice are identical to roof rats in many aspects, they are found in the same structural habitats as the roof rat. But unlike the roof rat they will readily investigate any new object in their territory. They can fit into an opening the diameter of a pencil. Mice are active during daylight hours as much as night time hours, so seeing them during the day does not always indicate any special conditions. A female house mouse gives birth to approx. 6 mice about 19 days after mating and is capable of mating again in 2 days. A mouse can produce 6-10 litters in a year and are able to mate only 2 months after birth. Mice establish a nesting site near sources of food and feed 15-20 times a day.

 

 

Health Risks

Rodents can spread many diseases that can be spread to humans and livestock including the Hanta Virus. This disease can produce a deadly infection in humans - over 50% of human cases have been fatal. Humans can become infected with the hanta virus when they inhale dust which has been contaminated with rodent urine and feces.  Most individuals who have become infected have lived or worked in areas that were heavily contaminated with rodent droppings. If a human being becomes infected, signs of illness usually appear about two weeks after exposure, although the time can range from a few days to as long as six weeks.  The first signs are fever, headache, and pain in the abdomen, joints, and back.  Afterwards, the patient's lungs begin to fill with fluid and breathing becomes extremely difficult.  A high proportion of the patients die, but early treatment offers the best chance of survival.  If you develop symptoms that are suspicious of HPS, and you have worked with or been around wild rodents within the last six weeks, report this information to your physician immediately.  Most individuals who have contracted HPS have acquired the disease by living and sleeping in areas where there are large populations of rodents and large quantities of dust contaminated with their feces.