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We are Boulder Wildlife, and we solve conflicts between people and wild animals. From squirrels in your attic, to raccoons in your trash, to bats, rats, birds, and snakes, we do it all. We specialize in safe and effective solutions to Colorado critter problems. We service the greater Boulder region, and we offer fast service - we can usually schedule a same-day appointment. Give us a call at 720-731-2966 any time, 24/7, and we will discuss your unique wild animal problem, and give you a free price quote over the phone. We're ready to take your call now!

Our service range: We service Larimer County, Weld County, Grand County, Broomfield County, Jefferson County, Gilpin County, and more. We also service Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Jamestown, Lyons, Nederland, Superior, Town of Ward, Allenspark, Eldora, Leyner, Sugarloaf, Altona, Eldorado Springs, Mountain Meadows, Sunshine, Bark Ranch, Glendale, Niwot, Tall Timber, Gold Hill, Hidden Lake, Crisman, Seven Hills, and more.

Boulder Wildlife Education: What Can Rodents Climb?

One of the reasons people tend to find rodents in their homes is because these animals are great at climbing. The exact climbing skills will depend on the rodent in question, but some of the most common unwanted rodent houseguests, such as mice, rats, and squirrels are capable of climbing most objects. Because they can climb, rodents are able to reach shelter in your attic or the top of your walls and can find high entry points into your home.



General Capabilities
When it comes to mice, they are capable of climbing nearly anything. The exception is that these rodents can’t climb smooth metal, glass, or any other sheer surface. Their ability to climb is mostly due to their claw structure. Their sharp claws help them grip onto little indents and imperfections in any surface, whether it is a rope or a brick. Just a small number of the surfaces mice have climbed include wood, cardboard, brick, drywall, concrete, stucco, drainpipes, stucco, sheet rock, and even certain aluminum siding.

Rats follow the same rule of thumb, being able to climb nearly any surface that isn’t completely smooth. This is because their anatomy is very similar to that of mice. To make matters worse for you as a homeowner, rats can jump 36 inches upwards, making it easy to reach pipes hanging on the side of your home. As much as you don’t want to read it, rats may also climb up your toilet. Since the surface of the pipes and toilet isn’t completely smooth, they can easily latch on. They are able to hold their breath while underwater for three minutes, which helps them reach this goal. Luckily, you probably won’t find a rat in your toilet, although they do know how to climb there.

Larger Rodents
Squirrels and some other rodents are also great climbers with their sharp claws helping them scale most surfaces. If you are dealing with these rodents, however, their size will play a role as well as they simply can’t fit in some of the tight spaces that mice or rats can.

What To Do
Since rodents can climb almost any surface in your home with the exception of maybe your windows, mirrors, and glass doors, you need to take extra care when preventing them. When you check your home for potential entry points to seal up, make sure you check high areas by your attic as well as those closer to the ground. You can also make it harder on the rodents by trimming back trees next to your house that could give them a boost or building things like sheds a reasonable distance from your home.

Previous Education Articles
Is a wild Boulder animal that is active during the daytime rabid?
How to keep Boulder opossums away from your property
Do Boulder Snakes Jump?
How to get Boulder skunks out of window well