If your home has a rodent infestation, your first instinct is probably to get rid of it at all costs. That’s understandable, but it’s important to determine which rodent has taken over. Mice and rats seem to be the same, but there are distinct differences, from their shapes and sizes to their meddlesome habits. Here are some ways to figure out which rodent has infested your home:
Look at What They Leave Behind
Chances are, you will see signs of mice or rats before you catch them red-handed. If you notice grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds disappearing, you probably have mice. Rats prefer bigger foods like meat, cheese and dry pet food. Once they have digested the food, they’ll leave behind droppings. Rat droppings are large with rounded ends, while mouse droppings are smaller and more pointy. If you only find tracks, look at the hind foot marks. Both rodents have four toes in the front and five in the back, but rats leave noticeable claw marks and have wider hind feet.
Observe Their Habits
To figure out if you have mice or rats, listen for where noise is coming from. While mice are skillful climbers that enjoy nesting in attics and high places, rats tend to stick to lower levels, like basements and crawl spaces. Rats also burrow under buildings, fences, plants and debris. The only exception are roof rats, a less common rat that likes to be up high. While mice come in through the smallest holes in your house’s walls and foundation, rats need wider openings to find their way in. Both animals multiply quickly, so if you have an infestation, get it taken care of as soon as you find it.
Determine Shapes and Sizes
One of the most notable traits that differentiates mice and rats is size. Full-grown rats are significantly larger than adult mice. While mice measure 2-4 inches, rats are closer to 7-10 inches at full length. If you’re able to get a closer look, you’ll notice that mice have soft fur, while rats’ fur is more coarse. Mouse tails tend to match their bodies in color, while rat tails are a lighter color, typically pink. Mice have smaller heads but larger ears, and rats have larger overall frames. While they are both skilled at hiding, once you do see one, it should be easy to tell which rodent is haunting your house.
Look at the Destruction they Cause
Most rodents who find their way onto your property have a similar goal: make your house into a home. Both build nests out of paper, cloth and other soft materials, but mice are more likely to leave their nests lying around. Both rodents can be destructive, but rats can chew larger holes and chew through materials like aluminum and concrete. While mice are curious creatures that love to explore, rats are more cautious and stick to what they know. Mice are easier to trap due to their adventurous nature, while rats are less likely to be interested in traps. When confronted by humans, mice run away, and rats become aggressive.
Our Des Moines rodent control experts at Pro-Staff know all about the habits of mice and rats, so we can help with any type of infestation. If you start hearing scratching in the walls, give us a call at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.