What are rodents?
The term rodent encompasses both mice and rats. Rodents are night-traveling creatures, known to eat and contaminate food, damage buildings and other property by their gnawing and burrowing and may spread diseases (such as salmonella) that affect people and pets.
Mice are commonly found in homes and can live for up to 18 months. They range in length from 5 to 8 inches and can weigh up to 1 ounce. Females can produce anywhere from 36 to 192 offspring per year. Rats, specifically the Norway Rat, are commonly found in urban and suburban areas of North America. They range in length from 13 to 18 inches and can weigh up to 11 ounces. Females can produce anywhere from 35 to 85 offspring annually; the average rat will live up to a little under a year. Rats have been known to transmit disease such as the plague and tuberculosis.
Rodents have sharp incisors that they use to gnaw wood, break into food, and bite predators. Most eat seeds or plants, though some have more varied diets. Some species eat seeds that are stored by people and are blamed for spreading disease.