Rodents and What to Do About Them

It is a truth universally acknowledged that rodents are disgusting. Forty percent of all mammals are rodents. This order of mammals is identified by their continuously growing incisors, which must be filed by gnawing, their short breeding cycle and their ability to eat a wide range of foods. This makes them very resilient and as such they are found on every continent except Antarctica. While some people keep them in their homes, it is likely as a reminder that these animals are better kept in domestic captivity than to be allowed to let run loose. Let's discuss the grossest of all rodents.

During prehistoric times rodents such as the Castoroides, an 8 foot beaver, were significantly larger than their modern equivalents. The largest rodent ever was the Josephoartigasia monesi, which may have weighed 2,200 lbs and is related to the pacarana, a nocturnal Amazonian rodent. Today, the largest rodent is the capybara, which is typically around 140 lbs and is found in South America.

Mice are pretty disgusting, although they are smaller and generally cleaner than their cousins, the rat. They can chew through wires, causing expensive damage, as well as leave droppings with the noxious hantavirus. It's best to take care of these pest immediately by placing the best mouse traps around your home, wherever you suspect them. A mouse glue trap is one of the best mouse traps to use to rid your home of these pests.

Squirrels and chipmunks are common garden rodents, and while the former may seem innocent, a nest of them in your attic is bad news. They can also spread diseases such as rabies.

Guinea pigs and chinchillas are some of the cuter rodents, part of which is due to the fact that they aren't wild in North America. In South America, guinea pig is a delicacy, oddly enough. Prairie dogs aren't so gross, nor are marmots.

Shrews, moles, rabbits, hares, weasels and mink are often confused with rodents, but are in fact different species altogether and as such are much cuter.

While it's important to love and appreciate all of Mother Nature's creatures, it's also important not to live with rodents. They can spread disease and can damage many areas of our lives due to their incessant gnawing. So if you suspect rodents, the best thing to do is to take care of them immediately with the best mouse traps money can buy. If you don't you may wind up calling an exterminator, which is a much more expensive and troublesome process entirely.

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