The million-dollar question always comes up when a homeowner has a rat problem going on—“What’s the difference between mice and rats?”
These two species might seem similar to you at first, but there are clear differences between them, especially when it comes to an infestation.
You might think there’s no point in identifying if it’s one or the other. But knowing the specifics of the rodent you’re dealing with, be it a rat or a mouse, can help you choose the most professional service.
So, let’s go through what you need to know about these two rodents!
Physical Differences Between the Two
Their sizes are the primary physical distinction between them. Mice are often much smaller than rats. Apart from its tail, a normal house mouse measures about 6-8 cm long. Nevertheless, the length of rats can vary considerably, often ranging from 20-40 cm.
A mouse’s tail is slender and almost the same length as its head and body. On the other hand, rats have thick tails that are usually shorter than its head and body.
Let’s hope you don’t get as close to a wild rodent to see the features in detail. But if you do, just remember that mice have larger eyes and ears. Rats—the opposite.
Sometimes, especially if you can’t get a good look at the intruder, physical characteristics are insufficient to identify a rodent. Fortunately, their droppings offer hints. Rat droppings are bigger and more pellet-like, while those of mice are compact and rod-shaped.
Behavioural Characteristics
Apart from their appearance, rats and mice behave differently, especially regarding house invasion.
Mice are curious creatures. They can often get caught since they explore their surroundings and will check out new objects.
Rats are more wary and are known to avoid unfamiliar objects, so they are more difficult to trap and manage.
This variation in conduct helps explain why a rat exterminator has to employ more advanced methods when eliminating rats rather than mice.
Their nesting patterns provide further behavioural differences. Mice are more likely to occupy the top floors of your house, including attics and top cabinets, as they are excellent climbers.
Rats tend to remain on the ground or below as they burrow into basements and walls. Knowing these behaviours will enable you to identify an early infestation.
While scratching coming from the ceiling or higher areas can indicate mice, scratching in the walls or flooring at night points to rats.
Habits and Reproduction
Although both rodents can inflict major property damage, rats are often more destructive than mice because of their size and temperament.
Rats, for instance, are strong enough in some situations to chew through metal, wood, and even concrete that has not cured correctly. Yes, you read that right—concrete! This poses a major risk to your home’s structure, as they can even cause flooding (by chewing through PVC pipes) or fires (by damaging electrical wires).
In rare situations, rats can physically threaten humans or even pets since they are more aggressive than mice. They also bite more often, especially when cornered.
Though still able to chew on objects and contaminate food, mice aren’t as hostile and are less prone to inflicting significant structural damage.
Moreover, rats’ reproductive behaviour is one more factor that can make them more hazardous.
While both mice and rats reproduce quickly, rats typically deliver more offspring in a shorter period—they can have up to 12 litters per year.
Don’t be fooled, though, as mice multiply rapidly as well.
Food and Feeding Habits
Although they have varied food tastes and eating behaviour, rats and mice can both be scavengers.
Rats need a lot of food daily to survive and typically eat meat, grains, and vegetables, among other stuff. A rat can eat up to thirty grams of food each day.
Conversely, mice need far less food, about three grams daily of grains and cereals.
These dietary variations could drive mice to be more prone to attacking your cupboard for dry products, like pasta or bread. In contrast, rats may be searching among bins and compost piles.
Their eating behaviour influences their interactions with bait and traps as well. Rats can approach baited traps more slowly since they are more dubious of new food sources.
Due to their adventurous nature, mice are more inclined to experiment with novel foods, making them more susceptible to capture using straightforward bait.
Health Risks
Both mice and rats carry diseases, meaning their presence in your house can seriously endanger your health.
Rats are typically associated with more severe diseases than mice, like salmonella, leptospirosis, and even the plague.
Additionally, these creatures can carry parasites, including fleas and ticks, which can infect people and animals.
While mice are less prone to transmitting such deadly infections, they can still contaminate surfaces and food with their urine and droppings. One can get hantavirus, for instance, as a result.
Why Use a Certified Rat Exterminator
Although there are DIY solutions for handling rodent problems, including poison and traps, rats can be especially challenging to eradicate on your own.
Their intelligence, caution about traps, and fast reproduction mean that an infestation can rapidly spiral out of hand.
Experience and tools enable a professional rat exterminator to manage even the most resistant infestations. They know how to find and seal access spots to stop more incursions, as well as the finest techniques for catching and baiting rats.
A professional can assess the extent of the harm and assist you in fixing and protecting your home.
In the case of a rat infestation, employing an expert can be a wise decision. They can resolve the issue both efficiently and securely.
Conclusion
From a mouse nibbling its way inside your food cupboard to a rat gnawing on cables, understanding what you’re dealing with is vital. Any unusual sounds or suspicious signs should prompt you to take action right away.
Using a licensed pest control expert can guarantee your home stays free of these unwanted intruders. Show these fuzzy nuisances the door before they overstay their visit!
