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Rodent infestation in Cambridge
Mouse infestations
Ontario is home to 4 types of mouse, although only 2 are regular pests.
These include the House Mouse (Mus musculus) and the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus sp.)
Living in nests usually consisting of 12-24 individuals, mice are smaller than rats and do not roam far from their nests. They rarely travel farther than 10-30 feet from their home during their day to day activities.
In addition, they are thigmotaxic, meaning they prefer to run along walls and the edges of objects. This helps them avoid predators, since they’re rarely out in the open.
Although their habits help them stay hidden, their predictable routine makes them very vulnerable to traps.
Rat infestations
Unlike Alberta, which is rat-free, Ontario has 2 species of imported rats. Both are regular pests.
These non-native species (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) have spread rapidly throughout the province.
Rats are significantly larger than mice and are famous for their tendency to carry parasites and disease. Unlike mice, rats are more willing to travel far from their nests, which consist of 5-10 individuals.
If rat nests are left alone, they can spread and form a larger network. In places with enough food, upwards of 100 rats can co-exist in these interconnected colonies.
Like mice, rats are thigmotaxic, making them prone to following the edges of objects and walls. While this allows them to remain easily out of sight, it also makes them vulnerable to traps which take advantage of their habits. Rodent infestation in Cambridge, and indeed all of Ontario, often involve rats. Especially in urban areas.
Other rodents
These include beavers, squirrels, groundhogs, and voles.
There are a wide variety of other rodents which do not usually cause issues for humans. Some, such as beavers and groundhogs, have even become cultural icons. Rodents are adapted to a wide variety of environments, including wetlands (beavers, muskrats), trees (squirrels), and fields (mice, groundhogs, etc…)
Although voles do not cause problems as often as mice and rats do, they can damage gardens and lawns. Even when they do cause problems, they usually avoid buildings.