Are you dealing with a rodent problem? Rats and mice may seem alike and leave a similar trail, but there are some important distinctions between these unwelcome visitors. Find out how you can tell the difference between the two, why you probably don’t have both mice and rats in your home and how Skedaddle offers humane wildlife control in Kitchener-Waterloo for any rodent or other wildlife issue.
Learn More About Mice
A mouse is smaller than a rat. The most common species is the house mouse, which weighs about ½ ounce and has a light brown body and dark tail. They prefer to eat grains and plants but will venture into a home, acquire a taste for garbage and food scraps and set up a nest. Mice can be found in any house, but they are more common in small or rural residences.
Mice are more curious than rats. These investigative rodents will scope out new territory, meals and objects. This makes it easy to set a live trap for a mouse since they will be naturally curious about the new arrival.
Learn All About Rats
Rats are larger than mice. These rodents can weigh between 7 and 11 ounces and typically have darker colouring than mice. Whether you have roof rats or Norway rats, these large rodents are more cautious than mice. A live trap set for a rat will have to be set for a significant amount of time before a wary rat will explore the area around it.
They require more food, water and shelter than their smaller cousins. Rats only need a 1/2-inch hole to enter a building and are strong enough swimmers to enter through drains or toilets. If you live in an area that is prone to rat infestations, ask a wildlife control expert about rat flaps and other humane, prevention strategies. For example, homes that have their own septic tank are less likely to have a rat problem.
Look for droppings, tracks, gnaw marks and signs of burrows. Once you’ve found evidence of rats, you’ll need to use a different strategy than you would for mice. Rats require much larger traps and where they are set matters. For instance, Norway rats tend to stay in basements and lower levels of homes while roof rats usually keep to the upper floors.
Understand Why They Don’t Cohabitate
Rats and mice are both very territorial. If you have a good habitat for both in your basement or attic, the rats will likely win the fight for survival. There are a few other factors that make it unlikely to see both a rat and a mouse in your house, such as diet. Only a very large supply of food and habitat can support both types of rodents. Both mice and rats have a unique odour. Mice are scared of rat odour because rats typically kill mice. This is another key reason that the two are unlikely to be in the same home.
It is more common that you may have two or more species of mice or rats in your home. Explore the differences between mice and rats to learn more about these furry intruders. Don’t attempt to handle or remove any type of rodent on your own. Both mice and rats can spread diseases and pests such as fleas, ticks and lice. Take advantage of local expertise in humane wildlife removal to enjoy a healthy, safe home.
Work With Skedaddle for Humane Wildlife Control Kitchener-Waterloo
Tell mice and rats to scurry with the help of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Explore our rodent services to learn how to remove rodents from your home safely. We provide thorough inspections, humane removal and effective prevention strategies to keep these furry friends away from your home. Stay safe by avoiding DIY removal strategies and preventing rodents from nesting in your home.
