Rodents are well known to cause problems in our daily lives, but rats and mice are perhaps most niggling and potentially damaging in Atlanta communities. They are mainly carriers of diseases and infamous for their property destroying capabilities and also serves as a monetary danger in agricultural sphere. Call Atlanta Pest Control services for rodent inspection and effective extermination

Although there are many species of rats and mice present, we will be exploring two specific species from rats and mice each because of their habitat characteristics- they live in close relation with humans and hence called as Commensal Rodents.

Rats

Among rats, two species are believed to be most offenders. These are Norway rat and Roof rat. Although both these species are not Native American rodents (arrived with early European settlers), they have been well established themselves due to their ability to survive.

Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Weighing around 1 pound (adult rat) with characteristically hairless, long tail, Norway rats have been more common among these two species with much wider distribution. The recorded length varies from 13 to 19 inches where tail is shorter than the combined length of head and body. They are brown colored with their stomach displaying comparatively paler shade. They usually nest beneath buildings, garbage dumps, junk yards, wood piles and low shrubs. They have amazing quality of creating intricate network of burrow system with numerous entrance/escape holes.

Roof Rat (Rattus rattus)

Although not widely distributed like Norway rats, they can be found in abundant number in specific localities in coastal region. Weighing around ½ to ¾ pound, they have longer tail than the combined length of head and body. Also referred as black rats, they display large ears and pointed muzzle. They have more aerial abilities than their counterparts and usually found in attics, trees, vines or walls.