Vertebrate pests (bats, birds, rodents)

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum/Subphylum:

Chordate/Vertebrata

The vertebrates of greatest pest importance to humans are the bats, birds, commensal mice and rats, and squirrels, which either roost or nest on or within human structures or nearby. These animals are not only a nuisance, but they may damage/destroy property, eat and contaminate stored food, and/or be of human health importance as disease vectors. For example, bats may transmit rabies; bat and bird droppings are a common source of the respiratory fungal disease histoplasmosis; rats and mice are vectors of food poisoning/Salmonellosis, rat-bite fever, murine typhus, Weil’s Disease; rats are carriers of plague via fleas, etc. In addition, these animals have associated ectoparasites such as mites, fleas, etc. which will attack humans.

Adult groups only.

Bats (class Mammalia)
Covered with hair, give birth to living young, young nourished on milk secreted by mammary glands, fly on 2 wings consisting of a double membrane stretched across enlarged arm bones and elongated fingers, with very large ears, tan to black in color. Depending on the species, length (tip of nose to end of tail) about 2 ¼- 7 1/2” (5.5-18.8 cm), wingspread about 6-15” (15.2-38 cm), and weigh about 1/8 – 2 1/8 oz. (3.1-61g), for species found in the United States.

Birds (class Aves);
primarily pigeons, starlings, and house/English sparrows. Covered with feathers, lay eggs, with 2 feather-covered wings, 1 feather-covered tail, 2 legs each with 2, 3, or 4 toes, and a horny beak lacking teeth. Pigeons, starlings, and house/English sparrows with each leg bearing 1 rear-projecting and 3 forward-projecting toes.

Rodents (class Mammalia)commensual/introduced mice and rats, tree squirrels. Covered with hair, give birth to living young, young nourished on milk secreted by mammary glands, besides molars with only an upper and lower pair of enlarged chisellike incisor teeth, lack canine teeth. Mice and rats with front feet 4-toed and hind feet 5-toed, elongate in form, built close to the ground with short legs and a long, skinny, almost naked tail slightly shorter or longer than length of head plus body. Tree squirrels with same description except tail densely covered with hair (bushy), about half body length.

Specific identification is particularly critical in this group because although members of each group are similar in appearance, for example house mouse vs roof rat vs Norway rat, the species differ in their habits, behavior, potential as disease vectors and control methods.

The vertebrates share in common the marked development of a head, containing a brain enclosed in a cranium, and a dorsal nerve cord enclosed in a chain of cartilages or bones called vertebrae. Because the category of vertebrate pests includes such a diverse assemblage of animals, each with a characteristic biology, only a brief generalization is given below.

Bats

North American bats have small eyes and relatively poor vision. However, they use well-developed system of echolocation (similar to sonar) to avoid bumping into things and to locate and zero in on the tiniest of insects which are their food. Bats are nocturnal mammals. They leave their daytime roost about dusk and usually return before dawn. Most bats hibernate during the winter but others migrate to warmer climates. Solitary bats usually roost in tree whereas, social bats cluster in caves, hollow trees, buildings, and other protected places. At rest, bats hang head downward. Most bats given birth to 1, or sometimes 2, offspring annually. Some bats live up to 20 years or more. Nearly all North American bats feed on insects.

Birds

Birds have a high rate of metabolism and spend most of their waking hours gathering food to support it. Some birds eat a variety of food while other specialize on seeds, insects, worms, etc. For most birds, the most stakes out a nesting territory and attracts a female. Depending on the species, young are born naked and helpless or feathered and capable of running about. Some birds fulfill all their needs in the general area where hatched while others travel considerable distance for food, nesting sites, etc. Some birds migrate great distances at certain times each year, flying at night and resting and feeding during the day.

Rodents

Because their 2 pairs of incisors are enameled on the front only, the working of the upper pair against the lower ones more rapidly wears away the softer inner surfaces creating a sharp, beveled edge well suited for gnawing. These incisors continuously grow but the normal striking and/or grinding while eating keeps them worn down; gnawing also does this but is not required. The majority of rodents are nocturnal. Most are active year-round but some, such as ground squirrels, hibernate in winter and in very hot areas some may aestivate for part of the summer. Most rodents are relatively small and very active which required much food to supply the needed energy. They have the highest mammalian reproductive capacity which may help them compensate for high predation losses. Some rodents, such as the house mouse, Norway rat, and roof rat, are among man’s most serious pests because they eat or contaminate stored foods (at least 20% of world’s food supply), damage or destroy vast amounts of materials, and transmit or spread diseases. However, many native rodents do not conflict with human interests and a few are valued as furbearers.

Swarming termites and flying ants are often mistaken for each other. Their sizes may be similar. However, there are several notable differences:

Flying Ants

Elbowed antennae
Two pairs of wings, rear wings smaller than front wings
Wings have few well-defined veins
Pinched waist
Long legs

Swarming Termites

Straight antennae
Two pairs of wings the same size and shape
More and finer veins in wings create a lace-like appearance
Broad waist
Short legs

Remember, bed bugs hitch a ride to your home by hiding inside your luggage and clothes after a trip. Check the outside and inside of your luggage for bed bugs and their eggs before you leave the hotel. Once home, if possible, unpack outside. Then vacuum the inside and outside of your luggage. Wash all clothes taken on the trip in very hot water (at least 140 degrees) to kill the bed bugs and their eggs.

In the unfortunate event that bed bugs find their way into your home, trust the team at Horne’s Pest Control! We are experts in removing these problematic creatures quickly and effectively. Even bed bugs tremble at the sound of our name.