How can you tell a rat from a mouse?

At some point, we all have had our moment of sheer terror seeing a mouse scurry across the floor. There is no shame in admitting that mice, while cute in some context, are possibly the most frightening thing to see unexpectedly in the afternoon. However, while mice can be a fright, seeing rats can be even scarier. Here are some tips to spot the difference between knowing whether your home has mice scurrying around or rats chewing up your furniture.

What is the difference between a rat and a mouse?

There are 3 things to look for when trying to tell the difference between a mouse and a rat, their size, smell, and their chew and claw marks.

Size

Rats are noticeably bigger than mice, so the easiest way to tell the difference is by spotting the scurrying rodents. Mice are often four inches in length with more petite tails, while rats can grow up to eighteen inches in length. We hear your eyes rolling already, but what is important to note about their size is that when you cannot spot the rodents, you may get clued in by their droppings.

Finding rodent droppings will indicate the size of the animal that left the space. Often mouse droppings are small, less than half an inch. On the other hand, Rat droppings can be larger than half an inch, almost the size of rice grains.

The Smell

One of the more pungent and in-your-face signs of a rodent infestation is the smell of urine left behind these pests. Often with mice, we can notice the scent of their urine, but it pales compared to rat urine. You may ask how you will see the difference. Well, let’s say that when your pantry suddenly reeks like days old cheese out of nowhere, you have rats instead of mice.

However, if the infestation has gotten to a point where you can smell the rodents in your home, debating the difference between which rodent is scurrying in your home might not do any good. So give our team a call to get that home not smelling like a dumpster.

Chew and Claw Marks

Both mice and rats will make a mess of your pantry and furniture, but you can tell the difference between a rat and a mouse thanks to their chew marks. Often rats will leave behind more prominent teeth mark holes on packages or surfaces, while mice have smaller teeth marks. If you notice a surface with minor scratches and chew marks, you likely have mice.

Try to be aware of the cables and other furniture you may have around your home. Mice might not leave significant marks on your furniture, as they try to focus on softer material to gather for their nests, but rats are a different story. Rats can chew through many hard surfaces, and if you notice frayed cable or even holes in your drywall, you might have a new rat friend.

Dealing With Rodents

Whether you have rats or mice, you may wonder how you keep these furry critters away from your home. Well, the best course of action is always to keep a well-maintained home that gets rid of clutter. Regularly cleaning your home prevents rodents from finding food in your trash or any place you have eaten recently. Even regular sweeping can help deter rodents from finding possible refuge in your home.

Make sure to check your pipes for any leaks, as rodents will take advantage of the excess moisture to build nests nearby. Do take the time to seal your food that is outside of your fridge! While rats may still be able to chew through some packages, if you leave food uncovered or improperly closed, it will be easier for rats to find your food. Lastly, try to seal up any cracks or holes you find around your home. When you are not paying attention, rodents will sneak into your home via holes in your windows and walls.

Learn how to identify mice and rats, use rodent control products, and build strategies to keep these pests out of your home.

Identifying Mice & Rats

Identifying a Mouse or Rat Problem in Your House

Tips for discovering the nature of—and solution for—your rodent problem.

A thorough home inspection will help you determine the type of rodent you're dealing with, their patterns of activity, what's bringing them inside your home, and most importantly, which rodent-control product to use for eliminating them.

The first step to getting rid of mice or rats is figuring out which rodent you're dealing with - and how big your problem is. Before you take any steps to control a rodent problem, be sure to inspect your home, inside and out. Conducting a thorough inspection will be critical for helping you decide which method of control is right for you.

Is it a mouse or a rat in my wall?

Where are you hearing the noises? If noises are coming from a low point inside a wall, it is usually a sign of a mouse or rat infestation. It is hard to tell the difference between these two rodents when they're in a wall. Rats can be surprisingly quiet and mice can be much louder than you would think.

Is it true that if you have mice you don't have rats?

Rats and mice are both rodents and while they are often mistaken for each other, the similarities really end there. These two pests don't breed with each other and typically nest in different places.

How do you know if you have a rat?

Signs of rats and rat infestations.

Rat droppings. Droppings tend to be found concentrated in specific locations, as rats produce up to 40 droppings per night..

Rub marks. ... .

Scratching noises. ... .

Rat holes. ... .

Rat nests. ... .

Footprints..

Where do rats hide during the day?

That said, the most common places where rats like to hide in your house during the day include: air ducts; behind cabinets and cooking stoves; under refrigerators; inside woodpiles; in piles of clutter; in storage boxes; in ventilation systems; inside hollow walls; in drains; in wall and ceiling crawl spaces; and in ...