Rats Vs Mice
One of the questions that people often seem to be faced with is, am I my dealing with a rat or is it a mouse? The two animals are very different species, but they are related in the fact that they are both rodents. Usually when people think of mice they think of the common house mice that they see on TV, and when they think of rats they generally think of the Norway rat, which is the kind you see running in the subways of New York City.
Rodents are not only unwanted visitors, but they can cause serious health problems. But what type of rodent is worse? Learn how to distinguish between these similar.
Ironically the Norway rat does not even come from Norway; it is believed to have originated in China, but that’s neither here nor there. The primary difference that you’ll recognize is that rats are much larger than their mice cousins. This isn’t the only difference you can find between the two species of rodents. Rats tend to have smaller ears in relation to the rest of their larger bodies. They also tend to have a more rounded facial structure as compared to mice which tend to have more pointy features. Also if you have the opportunity to examine the mouse or rat in close proximity, you can count the number of nipples it has.
Both male and female mice have five pairs of nipples, and both female and male rats have six pairs of nipples. Something tells me that you’re not going to be counting the number of nipples on the rodent. What you really want to know is if you can determine whether you have a rat or mice problem when you haven’t even seen the rodent. One of the common questions is whether you can identify whether you have a mouse vs. Rat based on their feces, or poop. The answer is yes, there are ways to tell the difference between mouse and rat feces. The Norway rat, the most common rat you’re likely to deal with, has lumpy feces that measures 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in length, and generally 1/4 inch thick.
The ends tend to be rounded or more blunt. The common house mouse on the other hand has smaller excrement that measures 3/16 to 1/2 inch in length and are generally pointed at each end. You can determine whether the feces are fresh or old by the consistency. Fresh trappings tend to be moist or soft, sometimes shiny and dark, but after a while they tend to become dry and hard.
Old rodent droppings will crumble, where as newer droppings will not. If you do find that you have a rat invading your home or your garage, the best defense is a good offense, so I would recommend purchasing routing traps that are specifically designed for rats.
Most experienced professional rat exterminators preferred the use of a wooden to catch rats. Techniques for deploying these traps are similar to catching mice.
You’ll want to place them along the runways that the rats are using between their nest, or burrows, and their food source. If you’d rather not kill the rats as you capture them, there are some live catch rat traps. If it’s a house mouse that you’re up against, I recommend checking out some of the tips and tricks to that are available on this website.
Whether you’re looking to, humanely catch and release them, or from coming into your home in the first place, there are techniques presented on this website that will make your life easier. One more interesting tidbit that may help you in your mice hiding adventures It is a little publicized fact that rats are known to eat mice, so if you have a mouse problem you may want to deal with it by finding some rats and inviting them over for dinner. How’s that as food for thought? Best of luck in your rat and mouse hunting adventures!
What’s the difference between a and a? Identifying the type of you have is the first and most important step in controlling your. What works to control mice won’t necessarily work to control rats. Here are the differences between mice and rats along with some tips to prevent and get rid of them. MICE: The most common mouse found in the United States is the.
What Do They Look Like?. Small size, usually 1-4 inches long. Adults weight about 0.5 ounces.
Small head, small feet, pointed snout. Large ears with some hair. Light brown body with some gray shading and dark tail. Larger ears and longer tail compared to their body size than rats. Musky odor. Color blind. Droppings shaped like rods Where Do They Live?.
They usually live on the ground or in nests in burrows. Will build nests near food source. Will use nearly any soft material or finely shredded paper to build their nest. Can be found indoors or outdoors, in cities or rural areas. What Do They Eat?.
Rats Vs Mice Facts
They prefer to eat cereals but will feed on almost anything. They tend to seek food in the same place everyday. They don’t need to drink water but will if it is available.
How Do They Move?. They can climb, jump, and swim. They can jump up to 13 inches. They can run along wires, cables, and ropes. They are nocturnal and most active from dusk until dawn. They are curious and will come out to investigate. Mice can enter buildings through openings as small as 1/4″ in diameter.
RATS: The two most common rats found in the United States are the and the black rat (roof rat, ship rat). Brown Rat (Norway Rat) Black Rat (Roof Rat, Ship Rat) What Do They Look Like?.
Brown rats have a heavy, thick body, a blunt snout, and short ears with dark hair. Brown rats have brown bodies with black shading and shaggy coats. Brown rats have tails that are dark on top and pale underneath. Adult brown rats weigh about 11 ounces. Brown rat droppings are shaped like capsules. Black rats have light, slender bodies, pointed snouts, and large ears with no hair.
Black rats have gray bodies with black shading and smooth coats. Black rats have dark tails. Adult black rats weight about 7 ounces. Black rat droppings are shaped like spindles. Rats have longer body lengths, measuring about 8″ in body length with another 9″ of tail length. Rats have larger feet and heads compared to body size than mice do. Where Do They Live?.
Rats will dig under buildings, along fences, and under plants and debris. The brown rat usually lives on the ground or in burrows. The brown rat is usually seen in buildings, sewers, and outdoors.
The black rat is usually seen in buildings around ports and in ships. The black rat will nest high up in roofs, attics, and trees.
What Do They Eat?. Brown rats prefer cereals.
Brown rats tend to seek food in the same place everyday. Brown rats drink about 2 ounces of water a day. Black rats prefer moist fruits. Black rats tend to seek food in different places each day. Black rats drink about 1 ounce of water a day. How Do They Move?.
Rats can enter a building through a hole as small as 1/2″ in diameter. Rats are strong swimmers and can live in sewers. Rats can enter buildings through broken drains and toilets.
Rats will climb to get food, water, and shelter. Rats follow regular routines and paths everyday.
Rats usually stay within 300 feet of their nest or burrow. Rats are nocturnal.
Rats have poor eyesight. How Do You Get Rid Of Rodents?
Now that you know the difference between mice and rats, what can you do to get rid of them? Check out these 7 tips for getting rid of both mice and rats:. Know The Signs. Signs of both mice and rats include droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, and burrows. These signs can especially be seen around food sources. Keep It Clean. Mice and rats will come into your home in search of food. Store food in airtight containers. Don’t leave food or dirty dishes out overnight.
Wipe crumbs off the counters. Sweep and vacuum floors regularly. Secure your garbage. Don’t leave pet food out overnight and store it in airtight containers, also. Don’t Let Them In. Eliminate any entry points into your home.
Seal any cracks in your foundation. Seal around any openings in the walls, especially around utility pipes and vents. Use weather stripping for gaps in doors and windows. Don’t Forget Outside. Remove debris from around your home. Keep your yard mowed and weeded. Trim shrubbery away from the sides of your home.
Keep woodpiles away from your home. Use Your Pets. Cats and even some dogs will hunt rodents. Use them as a ready made form of pest control.
Use Traps. There is never just one moue or rat so it is best to use several traps at a time. It is also a good idea to use different types of traps. Use whatever food the pests have been feeding on as bait in your traps. Place traps perpendicular to the walls and near where you have seen signs of their presence.
Call The Pros. If you suspect a mouse or rat problem in your home, contact a. They will be able to evaluate your home, identify what kind of rodent you have, and set you up with a comprehensive treatment plan.