Need to Trap a Rat ? 

Commensal rodents are among the greatest economic and public health threats in the United States. Here in Southern California and San Diego we are host to Norway rats, roof rats, and the common house mouse. All were imported from the Old World - all carry disease, and can contaminate and deplete food stores. 

Roof rats (Rattus rattus) - The most common commensal rat is the roof rat. They are agile and tend to prefer high places (powerlines, beams, gutters), but they will burrow when necessary. The roof rat is a cautious animal, often waiting for several days before approaching a new object such as a trap or bait station. They migrate into structures during colder weather and, once established, can live happily indoors for many years. Identified by a pointed muzzle, big eyes, lengths up to 8", and a scaly tail that is roughly twice the length of the head and body combined. Roof rats are known to bite.

RODENT TIP: Cover all openings greater than 1/8 inch. Steel wool can be used to plug holes around plumbing fixture gaps.

Norway or sewer rat (Rattus norvegicus) - The largest of the commensal rodents - similar in appearance to the roof rat, but growing to lengths of 9.5". Norway rats prefer the ground level, burrowing in piles of debris, and nesting in basements. They prefer fish, meats, and grains. Norway rats are more social in nature than roof rats. Numerous burrows can be found within the same living area. Norway rats stay within a hundred feet of their nest, unless otherwise displaced by man or disturbance of habitat. They follow the same trails repeatedly, running alongside walls, using their whiskers as "curb feelers." Norway rats have been known to gnaw through PVC pipes to gain access to water. Needless to mention, they can bite.

House mouse (Mus musculus) - The most common commensal rodent in the world. The House mouse is generally a dusty gray color and grows to 3.5". They have small eyes, large ears, and a semi-naked tail. Not only a nuisance, House mice contaminate food stores and serve as vectors or direct carriers of many human diseases. The House mouse is a prolific breeder - one female can have a litter of up to eight babies eight times each year! Generally, House mice do not bite unless confronted.
   

RODENT TIP #2: If you use snap traps, place the trap perpendicular to the wall with the bait side butting up against the baseboard. Can you guess why?

How Lloyd Pest Control can protect you against rodents:

Lloyd Pest Control offers a wide range of services for rodent elimination. A supervisor will thoroughly inspect your home, making exclusion recommendations to keep more rats and mice from entering. He'll check for evidence like droppings, nest materials, gnaw marks, etc. Though now entering its third century of use, snap traps are still a common cure. We also employ glue boards, self re-setting live traps, and, in some situations, bait stations. A supervisor will check back every 2 or 3 days to clear and re-set traps.