Did you know that some rodents can shed their tails to help them escape from predators? Deer mice are one the most common rodent species in Atlanta, GA and invade homes across the middle part of the state. These mice can shed the outer layer of skin on their tails and regrow it over time. If you want to check whether it’s a mouse or a rat in your home, sometimes all you have to do is look at the tail.

Why Is a Rodent’s Tail So Important?

A rodent’s tail serves two primary functions: balance and thermoregulation. As mice and rats climb or walk along narrow surfaces, they use their tails to balance. When they become overheated, the vessels in their tails swell and increase the flow of blood, causing the heat to escape through the surface of their tails. Some rodent species have small tails and can’t balance or regulate their temperatures as well as long-tailed species such as deer mice and roof rats.

How to Identify a Rodent

Deer mice, house mice, and roof rats are very common in urban areas across Atlanta and invade homes and businesses. They chew through wires and baseboards, build nests behind the walls, and contaminate food and surfaces with feces. Without professional rodent control, these pests will multiply and cause serious issues.

Identifying the common types of rats found in this city will help you determine which course of pest control action to take.

• Deer mice: These pests grow to about four inches in length and have tails that measure as long as their bodies. Their fur color ranges from white to brown and continues down the length of their tails.
• House mice: These pests look similar to deer mice but are smaller in size, measuring about two or three inches in length. Their tails are also the same length as their bodies.
• Roof rats: These pests grow to about eight inches in length with tails that measure between seven and 10 inches long. They’re also known as black rats and feed on everything from insects to food in the pantry.

Professional Rodent Control in Atlanta

Rodents infest homes and businesses throughout Atlanta, GA and contaminate surfaces as they travel. If you’re dealing with a rodent infestation, Active Pest Control can help. Our experienced technicians provide thorough inspections and can identify the rodent species in your home. We’ll not only eliminate mice and rats but also use preventative methods to keep these pests from invading in the future.