What Small Rodents Are Over Populated?

Rodents are a group of animals that share many characteristics. Their main identifier is that their teeth grow continuously, causing them the need to constantly gnaw things. The gnawing allows them to keep their teeth filed so that they fit in their mouths. Food, wood and equipment often falls prey to their chewing. Rodents also spend part of their lives living underground. Under the right conditions, these pests become overpopulated and cause much destruction.

  1. Causes of Overpopulation

    • Overpopulation of small rodents happens for a variety of reasons. Mice and rats tend to be attracted to places where large groups of people live in close proximity to each other, such as urban areas. Rodents are also attracted to weeds and litter. On farmlands, overpopulation occurs when consistent plans to control populations are not maintained.

    Mice and Rats

    • When one mouse or rat is spotted, others are almost certainly nearby.

      Mice and rats are attracted to both large urban areas as well as agricultural areas. Mice are quite small, able to fit within a crack measuring 1/4 inch and only weigh about an ounce. They are capable of breeding by two months of age, sometimes breeding two to four days after having a litter. Each litter has five to six young, with five to eight litters being born per female each year. Rats are significantly larger, up to 9 inches in length but can fit through a hole the size of a quarter. They breed young, often between the ages of three and five months. Litters are born four to seven times a year per female, with six to 12 young in each litter. Diseases run rampant in both of these creatures. These pests chew through wires, pipes, roofs and other parts of the household.

    Voles

    • The vole's prime mating season runs from March to September.

      Voles look similar to mice and rats except their tails are significantly shorter. These rodents are particularly attracted to trees, often causing significant damage to fruit trees. They are also prolific breeders, starting at the age of six weeks. The female will have four to six babies per litter. A population can turn into a plague within three to five years. When one is sighted, it indicates that several more exist, and it is time to implement population control.

    Ground Squirrels and Gophers

    • Ground squirrels hibernate from about September to May and breed within two weeks of emerging.

      Ground squirrels and gophers are larger rodents. They have an average litter of 10 young once per year. Their presence is more easily noted by large mounds of dirt that show their tunnel patterns. The difference between the mounds of ground squirrels and gophers is that gopher mounds tend to be plugged. These animals feed on agricultural sites as well as ornamental plantings. They prefer grassy areas, so grasslands, athletic fields and golf courses are at risk.