With summer arriving, many Hawaii residents will notice more rodents since this is the time of year they begin to breed. Mice and rats contaminate homes with harmful diseases, such as salmonella, hantavirus, and the plague. Additionally, they cause major structural damage, chewing on furniture, insulation, and wiring. Property owners will need rodent control services to combat these pests, but for a control program to be effective, the specific species needs to be identified. Learn more about the species prevalent on the islands with the following overview. 

4 Rodent Species in Hawaii 

1. Roof Rat

Medium to large in size, roof rats are identifiable by their slender tails that are longer than the head and body combined. They have large eyes, almost hairless ears, and pointy noses. Experts at climbing and scaling wires, they’re often found in attics and on top of roofs, as their name suggests. Outdoors, they build nests in trees, debris, dense vegetation, and woodpiles.

2. House Mouse 

The house mouse is the smallest rodent species in Hawaii. It has a long, hairless tail, small eyes, large ears, and a pointed nose. These creatures often live among humans, nesting almost anywhere in a building, or under boards, in rock piles, and in burrows.

3. Norway Rat

Norway rats are the largest rodent in Hawaii, with a stout, scaly tail, wide head, blunt nose, small eyes and ears, and chunky body. They are also commonly referred to as sewer rats, street rats, and brown rats, and are known to be vicious. Call for rodent control immediately if your home is infested with Norway rats.

4. Polynesian Rat 

The Polynesian rat is fairly small in size compared to the other species found on the islands. It also has a pointed snout and large ears. Its distinguishable feature is its bristled tail that appears to have faint, narrow rings. These rats have the third highest population in the world.

If you encounter any of these rodents on your property or observe signs of their presence, don’t delay in seeking professional help. Dick’s Fumigation Services offers Wailuku, HI, residents efficient and affordable rodent control solutions. Having served the community’s home and business owners for over seven decades, their team understands which methods are most efficient at getting rid of uninvited guests. Call (808) 244-7496 to schedule an appointment for rodent control, or visit the website to learn more about their services.