Rodents Common to the Inland Empire

There is a wide variety of mice, rats, and other rodents that call the Inland Empire home. Riverside and San Bernardino counties share the same types of environment including arid land, hills, and plenty of open space where rodents find room to live.

Here is list of the rodents in the Inland Empire and some general tips on how to keep some unwanted pests out of your property.

Common Species of Mice

The mice you’ll find in your home aren’t quite the same as Mickey who lives in Orange County. There are a few mouse species that will be found in our area. In most cases, they are seeking food, water, or a safe place to make a home. Species such as Bailey’s pocket mouse or the California pocket mouse are very common. They are related and have a few cousins as well.

All of them have the ability to stuff large amounts of food in their cheeks. They eat mainly seeds or grains but won’t be too picky if they find human food accessible. Strangely, these particular mice can be helpful to the environment because they distribute seeds from a variety of plants into new areas and help increase plant populations. They are all brown and can breed very quickly. These are nocturnal mice so you are very unlikely to see then scurrying during the day.

Common Species of Rats

Multiple rat species all Riverside and San Bernardino counties home. But they vary greatly. Some are the ugly, common brown rat (also called a Norway rat) with long snout and tail, while others are often mistaken for mice because they are so small and similar in shape.

One particular rat known to Inland Empire residents is the kangaroo rat, specifically the giant kangaroo rat. This species is endangered at the state and federal level.

The word “giant” is misleading. It is the largest of all 20 kangaroo rat species, but it grows no more than six inches in length. They live in ground burrows and are extremely social. They communicate with other members of their colony by drumming their feet on the ground in specific patterns. It is highly unlikely that you will encounter these rodents.

A Norway rat (brown rat or sewer rat) is far more common and likely to be what you find. They love to inhabit the same area as people.  These rats will make a home near trash cans or trash piles, along with areas of stacked wood. They can be six to 11 inches long and are very recognizable rodents.

If you don’t see them, you may hear them. They make a noticeable chirping sound. They don’t climb well so expect to see them or their droppings in areas along the ground, indoors or outdoors.

Gophers in the Inland Empire

If you see a gopher in the Inland Empire, it is likely to be a Botta’s pocket gopher. They are extremely common and can make burrows throughout a huge area of land within a matter of days. They are a neutral shade of brown like most desert-dwelling rodent species. The only environments they don’t enjoy are rivers and rocky areas.

Their diet consists entirely of plant matter including grasses and roots. This makes them a common destroyer of lawns, flower gardens, and produce gardens. They will spend approximately 90% of their lives in their burrows. We have very specific tools and treatment methods for gopher control so if you have any destroying your property, give us a call for a fast solution.

Common Squirrels

Anyone who has lived in the Inland Empire has seen squirrels. Parks, neighborhoods, and outdoor trail areas offer a wide variety of home options for squirrel species found in California. They come in a variety of shades of grey and live in and around trees.

As you may know, their diet consists of seeds, nuts, insects, and even eggs. But they will chew on many other things including electrical cables, crops, and even the wood of a building wall. Because they can be destructive and carry diseases such as rabies, they are not a good species to keep around a home.

Have a Rodent Problem?

If you suspect rodents are invading your home or office property, give us a call at 909-335-1486 or 951-530-1653 for a complimentary inspection. One of our expert technicians and take a look at your property, identify the pest, and give you a recommendation for treatment methods.