The later we get into the winter season, the more active rodents become. This is because their food sources are diminishing, and they need to venture out to find more food to survive these colder months. As a result, the chances of you seeing, or hearing one of these rodents inside your home are significantly higher, eek!
The good news is you can be ready. Knowing how to identify these rodents is the first step to eliminating, and preventing them from making a return. Here are the 4 most common household rodents in South Carolina, and what you can do to protect your home against them.
The House Mouse (Mus musculus)
This guy is more than the most common rodent in South Carolina; he’s the most common rodent in the United States! They’re very small, usually between 2-3 inches in length. They’re gray and are most easily identified by their pink, pointed muzzle. Because they feed on grains, you will most likely see them scurrying across your kitchen floor while they are on the prowl for their next meal.
The White-Footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)
Living up to their name, this mouse can most easily be identified by their white feet and white underbelly. They can grow somewhere between 6-8 inches in length, and they have large ears and eyes which help them find food. They are most likely found in attics and basements, where they will build their nest and wait out the cold weather.
The Cotton Mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus)
Coming from the same family as the white-footed mouse, the cotton mouse looks very similar. This biggest difference is their size. They’re slightly longer (7-9 inches), they have a longer tail (2-3 inches), and their skull is longer. When outside, the cotton mouse will spend most of its time underground where it is cooler, and where they are safe from predators. Because of this, chances are, if you see a cotton mouse, it will be in your basement or crawlspace.
The Brown Rat (rattus norvegicus)
Better known as the “common” or “sewer” rat, the brown rat is a frequent invader of homes in South Carolina. Like the cotton mouse, they are ground-dwelling critters so they will most likely be found in dark, damp basements where it is cool. They can grow up to a foot long, and usually have a brown-red colored body with a white underbelly.
At Cramer Pest Control we understand the threat rodents bring into your home. They bring diseases, which can affect your family and your pets, and they can cause serious damage to the interior of your home. That’s why we developed our indoor pest control program.