What are you – a rat person, or a mouse person? What we mean is, which one terrifies you the most? Sure, rats are bigger and more readily associated with horrible diseases. But mice often freak people out even more with their tiny size and rapid, unpredictable movements, and their more frenzied reproductive cycles. And you’re more likely to have had a bad past experience with mice, because they’re quite a bit more common, especially in urban and suburban areas across the United States. But why is it really important to understand the difference between rats and mice?
Rat VS mouse – Why should you even care?
Both are elusive and hardy rodents that can wreak havoc in homes, farms, and commercial spaces across America – making it imperative for all of us to understand the mouse vs rat difference. Because it’s not just about being able to identify the rodent that’s stressing you out correctly, but it definitely changes the way home and business owners, not to mention pest control companies, deal with the infestation.
So what should you pay attention to in terms of the difference between a rat and a mouse? And why does it even matter?
1. Body & tail
Rats vs mice – isn’t it all about the size? Obviously, rats are bigger – and often a lot, lot, lot bigger! In fact, some rats in the USA can reach a massive 11 inches, and that doesn’t even include the tail! If you can see the tail clearly and it’s extremely long and scaly, you’re looking at a rat.
Typically, mice won’t get much bigger than 4 inches, which is still huge. Generally, though, they’re around 2 inches minus the tail, which is thinner and hairier compared to rats.
2. Behaviour
Both rats and mice are cautious, but the rats are more likely to start creeping confidently around a new environment. Mice, by contrast, are more shy, but once they’re out and about they are quite happy to go climbing or squeezing through the tiniest of openings. And while both are basically nocturnal, you’re more likely to see a rat during the day.
3. Reproduction rate
Mice breed like … mice! What we mean is that they reproduce extremely quickly – and we’re talking about up to 10 litters a year with as many as 16 offspring per litter. That’s a lot of mice! In contrast, rats are slower to breed – but still, be prepared to be dealing with up to 6 full litters a year.
4. Health risks
Both rats and mice are renowned disease carriers – especially hantavirus, which can lead to kidney failure. And while rats are more likely to carry leptospirosis and rat-bite fever in their droppings and urine, there are still plenty of reasons to worry about mice – salmonellosis, for instance, is more likely caused by the smaller of the rodents.
5. Feeding
Rats and mice are both omnivores, meaning they’ll eat almost anything that tastes lovely to them – including meat, fruits, vegetables, and grains. You’re more likely to find mice munching on seeds and grains, though, making them particularly likely to spot in agricultural settings.
6. Damage
When it comes to the teeth, be more afraid of rats – because those jaws are powerful. A rat will easily munch through wood, plastic, and wiring, making them more likely to start a fire or cause a lot of structural damage, but a mouse’s teeth are also strong enough to nibble through plenty of your things.
Yes, the difference between a mouse and a rat matters
Whether your place is infested by rats or mouse dramatically alters the tailored rodent control approach that will be most effective. You’ll need more bait and bigger traps for rats, seeds and grain for mouse traps, and bacon for rat traps, and a rat infestation will require more robust rat-proofing and burrow control as opposed to sealing up even the tiniest of cracks for those pesky mice.
Whether you’re dealing with a rat or mouse infestation, Pest Control Heroes is the easiest way to find reliable, guaranteed help at a great price. All you need to do to connect with the most highly-recommended pest control expert near you – wherever you are in the States – is enter your details and we’ll connect you with someone who offers:
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Ready to end your rodent problem? Give Pest Control Heroes a try today.
