![House mouse. [J.K.Clark]](http://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests//blogfiles/33326_original.jpg "House mouse. [J.K.Clark]")
In and around the home, Norway rats, roof rats and house mice can be problematic by consuming and contaminating food intended for you and your pets. These rodents often enter structures in winter and can also carry several diseases and parasites.
In the landscape and garden, tree squirrels, ground squirrels, gophers, moles and voles can be a nuisance and feed on many garden crops, ornamental plants, vines, shrubs and trees. Some of these rodents also gnaw on and damage plastic water lines and lawn sprinkler systems. This group of pests is active for much of the year.
No matter which type of rodent you may think you have in your home or on your property, you'll want to correctly identify the pest before taking any control measures. Use the UC IPM Web site Vertebrates page for identification and management.