In 2021, about 14.8 million American households seen rodents. Have you suspected that you also have rodent problems in your home? If so, take charge and ensure you know the critical differences between rats and mice.
While rats and mice may appear similar to an untrained eye, look closer, and you’ll find that these are not the same beast. Know this information, and you’ll be able to keep your home safe and controlled.
Take a look below at the differences between rat vs mouse, and see which one you should handle with care.
Difference in Appearance
Identifying a rat is easy as it is much larger than a mouse, with its body growing up to 18 inches long. Rats usually weigh about half a pound, while mice weigh only a fraction.
Additionally, rats have much longer tails than mice, and their ears are larger. But an adult mouse may have much wider ears and a long tail when it comes to a young rat.
Rats also have coarser fur, and their tails are usually all one color (unlike mice, whose tails can be multi-colored). Rats also have pointier noses compared to mice.
Eating Habits
Rats need more food to survive because of their larger size. Additionally, rats tend to be more omnivorous than mice, meaning they’ll eat plants and animals.
Furthermore, rats tend to be more social than mice, often sharing their food with others in their group. It can make them even more challenging to control, as they can multiply if there’s an abundant food source.
Hiding and Spawning Areas
Regarding where they live, both rats and mice are versatile. They can make their homes in about any environment, including urban areas, forests, and even deserts. However, they prefer areas with plenty of hiding places and access to food and water.
They are both common in urban areas and are often in sewer systems and on the walls of buildings. There are also those in rural areas, although mice are more common in fields and forests.
Behavior Differences
Mice are neophobic and afraid of new things in their environment. It is why you see a lot of wild mice running around when you first set up a live trap, but they get used to it after a while and are more likely to be caught.
On the other hand, rats are not afraid of new things and will find their way into your home through any small opening. They are also more likely to be aggressive, both towards other rats and humans. Rats will fight for their territory and attack humans if they feel threatened.
Get professional services to exterminate rodent problems before they grow in numbers. You can hire these pest control experts to ensure that the extermination process is thorough. They can also offer a rat and mouse guide to help you prevent pest problems in the future.
Learn If You Have Rat vs Mouse Infestations to Deal With Them Properly
If you are wondering whether you have a rat vs mouse infestation, it is important to deal with it immediately. There are several ways to get rid of these pests, but the most important thing is to be proactive. Call a professional exterminator if you think you have an infestation, and be sure to seal up any holes or cracks in your home that could be letting these pests in.
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