House Mouse
The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a small rodent with a pointed snout, rounded ears, and a nearly hairless tail. Though wild by nature, it thrives near human settlements and builds nests close to food sources.
Typically moving on all fours, house mice stand on their hind legs—supported by their tails—for eating, defense, or exploration (a behavior called “tripoding”). They’re adept climbers, jumpers, and swimmers, favor dimly lit conditions, and stick to walls (thigmotaxis). One male usually dominates a territory shared with multiple females, entering another male’s domain only if vacant. Aggression may arise if males are housed together without early socialization.
While chiefly plant-eaters, house mice are omnivorous, consume their own feces for extra nutrients, and cannot vomit. They fear rats (which sometimes prey on them) yet can occasionally coexist. For professional help, Pulaski Pest Control offers expert solutions in managing house mice.
White-footed Mouse
White-footed mice are common in Vermont and often wander onto residential properties, thanks to their remarkable agility and climbing skills. They can inhabit a wide range of indoor and outdoor locations. To figure out whether they’re around, watch for telltale signs like droppings, gnaw marks, and nests.
Indoors, these mice frequently nest in attics, basements, crawl spaces, and garages. Attics provide warmth and cover, while basements and crawl spaces offer dark, secluded shelter. Garages draw them in with easy access to food and protection. Outdoors, woodpiles, sheds, and similar structures also serve as popular hiding spots, allowing mice convenient entry into your home when conditions are favorable.
If you suspect white-footed mice on your property, prompt action is important to reduce potential damage and health risks. Sealing openings or cracks in your home will help keep them out, and eliminating food sources, like unsecured pet food or open garbage, can make the area less appealing. Maintaining good sanitation further deters these mice from sticking around.
Norway Rat
Norway rats are an invasive species in Vermont that cause widespread damage to homes, contaminate food sources, and spread illnesses to both people and pets. Their omnivorous diet includes anything from grains and seeds to small animals, which means they can also ruin gardens and crops. Because their teeth never stop growing, they must continually gnaw on hard materials like wood, vinyl, drywall, and thin metals. Unfortunately, these materials often belong to your home’s structure, leading to serious property damage.
These rats transmit diseases such as salmonellosis, tularemia, and rat bite fever through bites, as well as via fleas, ticks, and mites that hitch a ride on them. Their ability to squeeze through holes the size of a quarter allows them to slip into walls, vents, and basements. Once inside, they’ll build nests in hidden areas like insulation, ductwork, and storage containers, which can go unnoticed for quite some time. If you suspect a Norway rat infestation in your Vermont home, Pulaski Pest Control recommends acting fast to avoid potential health risks, structural harm, and fire hazards from rats chewing on wiring.
Norway rats prefer to stay within about 150 feet of their nests, memorizing travel routes that allow them to gather food and water while avoiding human encounters. Attics, crawlspaces, and basements offer dark, protected environments where rats can safely build their nests—often in insulation or other undisturbed areas. You may notice droppings, gnaw marks on walls or floorboards, or a musky odor. In yards, these rodents often burrow under decks, porches, vehicles, and foundations, creating unstable ground that may compromise your property’s safety.
Being primarily nocturnal, Norway rats can be difficult to spot directly, so it’s crucial to watch for signs like strange noises in walls, chewed siding, and scattered droppings. If you discover any of these indicators, don’t hesitate to reach out to Pulaski Pest Control for expert guidance and treatment options. Prompt action can help prevent extensive damage, reduce health threats, and keep your Vermont home free from these persistent pests.