Requesting Service for Rat or Mouse Problems
If you would like your home inspected for rats and/or mice, and learn prevention techniques you can call our district office at (650) 344-8592. Please provide the following:
- Name, Street address, nearest cross-street, zip code, and day-time phone number.
- Where are you seeing or hearing rodents or evidence of rodents?
- Are the rats or mice getting inside your house, or are you only seeing them outside?
After submitting your request for service, a Vector Control Technician will contact you to arrange for an appointment time. The technician will conduct an inspection of the exterior of your home and your property and make recommendations for rodent exclusion and control measures, as well as what you can do to make your yard less attractive to rats and mice. Call: (650) 344-8592 to request our services.
General Information
Rats and mice (see below) have been associated with people for hundreds of years. They live on our food and waste products and inhabit our buildings. Rodents can cause serious damage to structures, equipment, furniture and utilities.
In addition to causing damage to our surroundings, rodents have the potential to spread a wide variety of diseases, including; Leptospirosis, Trichinosis, Hantavirus, Rickettsial diseases, and bacterial food poisoning to name a few.
Rodents common in San Mateo County:
Roof Rat :
| Roof Rat |
Species: Rattus rattus
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| Other Photos: |
Characteristics: |
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Droppings:
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- Body: Slender, this rat has a tail that is longer than the body.
- Active: Mostly at night
- Habitat: The roof rat harbors in ivy, dense vegetation and will readily enter buildings. An agile climber, this rat will travel along fences and power lines.
- Feeding: Roof rats will eat fruit, nuts, pet food, and other residential sources of food.
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Norway Rat
| Norway Rat |
Species: Rattus norvegicus |
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Characteristics: |
Droppings:
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- Body: Slightly larger than the roof rat, the Norway rat's ears and eyes are smaller and the tail is shorter
- Active: Mostly at night
- Habitat: Norway rats are underground burrow inhabitants, and are typically found in creek banks, the shoreline and also subterranean sewer systems.
- Feeding: This species will feed on garbage and other residential sources of food.
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House Mouse :
| House Mouse |
Species: Mus musculus |
| Other Photos: |
Characteristics |
(Photo courtesy of The Jackson Laboratory)
Droppings:
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- Body: Smaller overall, the house mouse averages 2 to 3.5 inches in length with the tail measuring 3 to 4 inches long. The average weight is 5/8 to 1 ounce.
- Active: Moderately active during the day, chiefly in their quest for food.
- Habitat: Typically found within houses.
- Feeding: The house mouse will feed on any accessible food.
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Additional Resources:
For information on rodent provention, rodent trapping and control, and alternate methods to solve a rodent problem please visit the following pages:
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