Rodents like mice and rats are prevalent across the U.S., but that doesn’t mean they should be part of your business environment. These pests can destroy property, contaminate food, and spread diseases, leading to costly repairs and health risks. Keeping your business rodent-free is vital for compliance, protecting your reputation, and securing your financial interests.

Continue reading to explore the most common rodents, the harm they can cause, and the best ways to implement rodent control and prevention tailored to your business needs.

Rodents to Watch Out For

Roof rats, Norway rats, and house mice are rodents that closely associate with humans, depending on them for food, water, and shelter. These opportunistic feeders gravitate toward places with abundant food, leading to problems for businesses. They can cause damage to inventory, disrupt operations, and hurt your reputation. In sectors such as food service, retail, hospitality, and property management, keeping an eye out for rodent signs is essential for business protection.

House Mice

House mice are constantly searching for food and a cozy, safe place to nest. They range in color from light brown to dark gray and usually measure between 2 to 5 inches in length. Since they can fit through gaps as narrow as the width of a pencil, it’s important to routinely inspect and seal any potential entry points to avoid an infestation.

Mice are primarily active at night, so they may be more difficult to catch in the act when you and your staff are not around. However, you’ll likely notice signs like gnawed baseboards, chewed food packaging, and droppings. Their droppings are around a quarter-inch long, pointed at the ends, and often seen in clusters. Mice are attracted to carbs, especially grains, oats, and fruits, and they typically nest close to food sources, often in walls near kitchens or storage rooms.

How To Help Prevent House Mice

Mice can slip into your business with ease if given the opportunity. To stop them, use these simple, time-tested prevention tips:

Clean and Disinfect: Regularly clean and sanitize surfaces in kitchens and food prep areas to eliminate potential food sources, making them less inviting for mice.
Sealed Containers: Store food in airtight containers and keep it elevated off the floor to reduce access for mice.
Seal Holes and Cracks: Use steel wool or caulk to seal any gaps or cracks in walls and floors, blocking entry points for mice.
Maintain Vegetation: Trim trees, shrubs, and plants, and ensure there are a few feet of clear space between your building and vegetation to prevent mice from using them as entry routes.

Roof Rats

Roof rats are usually found outside but often enter businesses in search of food and shelter, especially in areas like attics, roofs, and chimneys. As skilled climbers, they can easily travel from tree branches or power lines to a building’s roof, where they can squeeze through gaps as tiny as a quarter.

Roof rats, typically ranging from light to dark brown, are smaller than Norway rats, reaching up to 8 inches in length. Although their diet mainly consists of seeds and plants, they can chew through almost any material, including plastic and soft metals, to reach food. They also store food for later. Signs of their presence include gnawing marks, electrical damage from chewing wires, greasy rub marks along their paths, and droppings that are about ½ inch long with pointed ends.

How To Help Prevent Roof Rats

If the environment is suitable, roof rats can gain access to your business in no time. Follow these easy and efficient techniques to keep them out:

Maintain Cleanliness: Keep food preparation and storage areas neat, ensuring all food is properly sealed and stored to prevent attracting rats.
Trim Trees: Trim tree branches that overhang or touch the roof to prevent rats from using them as a pathway onto the roof.
Inspect and Seal: Conduct regular roof inspections to identify holes or gaps, and seal them to block rats from entering your building.
Dispose of Waste: Regularly remove trash and securely store dumpsters to reduce the chances of rats being drawn to food waste.

Norway Rats

Norway rats, also called brown rats, street rats, or sewer rats, are omnivores with an exceptional sense of smell that helps them locate food. These rodents can reach lengths of up to 11 inches, have brown or gray fur, and can squeeze through gaps as small as ¾ inch. They breed quickly, with a single female able to produce up to five litters a year.

Norway rats are notorious for burrowing and often nest underground. When they invade your business, they tend to hide in dark, secluded areas such as basements or crawlspaces. These rats can carry pathogens that contaminate food and inventory, causing lasting issues. Look out for signs like gnaw marks, greasy rodent trails, scampering sounds, and droppings that are longer and pellet-shaped, though less common than those of mice.

How to Help Prevent Norway Rats

With the right environment, Norway rats can gain access to your business with ease. To prevent this, adopt these easy yet efficient prevention measures:

Clean Trash Receptacles: Regularly clean trash bins and ensure dumpsters are securely sealed to prevent rats from accessing food or shelter.
Remove Moisture: Address sources of moisture, such as leaking pipes or faucets, to avoid attracting rats looking for water.
Trim Vegetation: Trim plants and shrubs around the building to eliminate potential hiding spots and areas where rats could burrow.
Store Food Properly: Always store food in sealed containers and never leave it exposed, especially overnight, to prevent attracting rats with the scent of food.

What to Do If You Suspect Rodents

Because rodent infestations can spread fast, it’s essential to call a pest control professional like Bug Out to secure your business. A technician will inspect your property, determine the type of rodents present, and offer effective solutions for removal and prevention. While there are many signs of a rodent issue, seeing one, whether living or dead, is the most obvious clue.

If you see a rat or mouse in or around your business, reach out to Bug Out immediately to prevent the issue from getting worse.