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How Do You Know If You Have A Rat or A Mouse?

Sep 27, 2019 | Pest Control, Wildlife

Signs of a rodent infestation are pretty easy to spot – droppings in the house, chew marks, gnawed wood, and scratching and squealing sounds at night are all pretty good indicators of a rodent problem. Before deciding on a course of treatment, however, the first step is determining which type of rodent you have. So how do you know if you have a rat or a mouse?

Mice:

Mice are small rodents, usually about 2 to 4″ in length, with thin, long, slightly hairy tails. They have triangular shaped noses with long whiskers and large floppy ears. Mice can be brown, gray, or white in color. Mice droppings are small and smooth with pointed ends, usually about 1/8 to 1/4″ in length. They leave anywhere from 40 to 100 droppings per day. Mice prefer cereal grains or plants but will eat almost anything. They are nocturnal and tend to be bolder than rats. They are curious and will explore new things, making them easier to trap. They are skillful climbers and their small size allows them to access more areas of your home.

Norway Rats:

Norway rats are larger rodents, usually weighing about 11 ounces and measuring 7 to 9 inches in length. They have heavy, thick bodies that are brown in color with black shading and shaggy coats. Norway rats have blunt, rounded noses and short ears. Their tails are thick, hairless, and scaly and are dark colored on top and pale underneath. Norway rat droppings are brown and blunt on both ends and they leave anywhere from 20 to 50 droppings per day. They prefer fresh grains and meat but will eat just about anything. These rats typically live in burrows and prefer lower levels of homes and buildings. Norway rats are nocturnal and are more fearful and cautious than mice, making them more difficult to trap. They can climb but prefer to stay closer to the ground.

Roof Rats:

Roof rats are smaller than Norway rats, weighing about 7 ounces. They have light, slender bodies that are gray in color with smooth coats. They have thick, hairless, scaly tails that are dark in color. Roof rats have pointed snouts with large ears. Roof rat droppings are dark with both ends pointed. They will also eat just about anything but prefer fresh grains and meat. They are nocturnal and timid in nature. Because of this, they can be difficult to trap. They are excellent climbers and are more often found nesting in walls, attics, and trees.

Rodent Control:

Regardless of whether you have mice, Norway rats, or roof rats, all of these rodent species can cause damage to your home and property by chewing through wires, pipes, insulation, and drywall. They can also cause damage to furniture and carpets. All rodents can contaminate food and countertops. Serious diseases caused by rat droppings and mouse droppings include Hantavirus, salmonellosis, and more. They all reproduce quickly and a minor problem can become a major infestation in no time.

Keeping these pests out of your home is critical to helping protect the safety of both your family and your property. Here are some rodent control tips you can implement in and around your home:

Put A Lid On Your Trash: If possible, use trashcans made of metal with snug fitting lids. If you must use plastic, make sure there are no holes in it.
Don’t Leave Pet Food Out: Store pet food and birdseed in glass or metal containers with tight lids. Make sure to remove them at night and store them away until morning. Make sure to pick up any fallen fruit or nuts off the ground outside your home, as well. Remove standing water from bird feeders.
Elevate Your Compost: Raise your compost container at least 1 foot off the ground.
Keep Your Garage Clean: Rodents like to eat lawn seed, tulip bulbs, bone meal, and other items frequently used in gardening. Make sure they are stored in glass or metal containers with tight lids. Keep firewood a good distance from the house. Organize and store boxes in the garage off the ground to eliminate nesting places.
Clean The Kitchen: Keep food stored in tightly sealed containers. Clean up spilled food and crumbs nightly.
Keep Your Home Maintained: Make sure openings around your home are properly sealed. Keep your gutters clear of debris and water. Screen your attic vents. Keep screens on windows and doors in good repair and replace when needed.
Call A Pro: If you suspect you have a rodent problem, call a professional pest control company or a professional wildlife removal company who can evaluate your home and provide you with a comprehensive treatment and exclusion plan.

Mice, Rats, And Other Problem Rodents

Feb 16, 2018 | Pest Control, Wildlife

When the weather turns cold we tend to spend more time indoors enjoying the warmth from our heaters and blankets. Animals are no different! Fall and winter are the time of year when animals invade our homes in search of warmth, shelter, food and water. One of the most common pests we see in cold weather season is rodents. While rats and mice are the most common rodents we see in our area, they aren’t the only ones that can cause a problem. Chipmunks and squirrels can also cause significant damage to our homes if they get inside. Here are a few of the most common rodents in our area, as well as some tips to keep them from invading your home.

HOUSE MOUSE

Light to dark gray in color
Weighs 1 ounce or les
Small and slender
Rod shaped droppings
Live in and around homes, farms, and commercial buildings
Prefer foods high in fat, protein, and sugar
Teeth grow continuously
Cause damage by gnawing on wood and electrical wires
Can contaminate your home with urine and feces
Can fit through an opening the size of a dime

NORWAY RAT

Gray in color
Small ears
Tail is short in relation to its head and body
Blunt ended droppings
Exist in large numbers
Live in and around homes, in basements, in stores, in warehouses, on docks, in sewers, and in dumpsters
Burrow to nest under buildings, under concrete slabs, around lakes and ponds, and near garbage
Line their nests with shredded paper, cloth, and other fibrous material
Nocturnal
Eat nearly any type of food but prefer cereal grains, meat, fish, nuts, and fruit
Can fit through an opening the size of a quarter

ROOF RAT

Dark in color
Weighs less than 1 lb
Large ears
Tail is longer than its head and body
Spindle shaped droppings
Spends 90% of its time above ground
Nests in trees and sometimes attics
Run on power lines or along the tops of fences
Nocturnal
Can fit through openings the size of a quarter

CHIPMUNK

Small squirrels
Tan and brown with dark and light stripes
Make a series of high pitched chirps and flip tail back and forth to attract attention
Active during the day
Sleep in underground burrows
Attracted to homes with gardens, flowers, bird feeders, pet food, and nut trees
Can damage electrical lines, cable, and AC pipes

GRAY SQUIRREL

Predominantly gray with white markings
Short thick fur
Bushy tail
Weighs 1 to 1.5 lbs
Sends most of its time looking for food
Active year round
Active in mornings and evenings
Nests in attics or garages
Also invade bird feeders and garbage cans
Can cause significant damage to electrical wires and telephone cables
Can also cause damage to wood, insulation, wires, and storage boxes in your attic
Can contaminate your attic with urine and feces

FLYING SQUIRREL

Grayish brown body
White belly
Soft thick fur
4 to 6.5 ounces
Up to 12″ long with tail
Large eyes
Low soft chirp
Nocturnal
Eat mostly plants, seeds, nuts, leaves, bark, flowers, roots
Nest in tree cavities
Occasionally nest in attics (enter through roof gaps)
Will nest in your insulation
Can cause contamination with urine and feces

So now that you know some common rodents, what can you do to keep them from coming into your home? Check out these tips to prevent a rodent infestation.

Clean up spilled food immediately.
Put away all food at night, including pet food and bird feeders.
Keep food, including pet food and bird seed, in sealed, airtight containers.
Keep garbage can lids tightly sealed.
Declutter your attic and basement, especially anything made of cardboard.
Store any items you can on shelves rather than in the floor.
Keep your yard clear of debris.
Keep grass and shrubs cut short.
Trim shrubs and trees away from the sides of your home.
Store firewood off the ground and a safe distance from your home.
Repair holes in your foundation, garage, and interior walls and any gaps in your roof.
Seal any openings larger than 1/4″.
Use rubber seals under garage doors.
Use door sweeps on exterior doors.
Use weatherstripping around windows and doors.
Use screens that are in good repair on doors and windows.
Seal around pipes, drains, and vents.
Use chimney caps.
If you suspect you have a rodent problem, contact a pest control professional.

Mice vs Rats: What’s The Difference?

Sep 29, 2017 | Pest Control, Wildlife

What’s the difference between a mouse and a rat? Identifying the type of rodent you have is the first and most important step in controlling your rodent problem. What works to control mice won’t necessarily work to control rats. Here are the differences between mice and rats along with some tips to prevent and get rid of them.

MICE:

The most common mouse found in the United States is the house mouse.

What Do They Look Like?

Small size, usually 1-4 inches long.
Adults weight about 0.5 ounces.
Small head, small feet, pointed snout.
Large ears with some hair.
Light brown body with some gray shading and dark tail.
Larger ears and longer tail compared to their body size than rats.
Musky odor
Color blind
Droppings shaped like rods

Where Do They Live?

They usually live on the ground or in nests in burrows.
Will build nests near food source.
Will use nearly any soft material or finely shredded paper to build their nest.
Can be found indoors or outdoors, in cities or rural areas.

What Do They Eat?

They prefer to eat cereals but will feed on almost anything.
They tend to seek food in the same place everyday.
They don’t need to drink water but will if it is available.

How Do They Move?

They can climb, jump, and swim.
They can jump up to 13 inches.
They can run along wires, cables, and ropes.
They are nocturnal and most active from dusk until dawn.
They are curious and will come out to investigate.
Mice can enter buildings through openings as small as 1/4″ in diameter.

RATS:

The two most common rats found in the United States are the brown rat (Norway rat) and the black rat (roof rat, ship rat).

Brown Rat (Norway Rat)

Black Rat (Roof Rat, Ship Rat)

What Do They Look Like?

Brown rats have a heavy, thick body, a blunt snout, and short ears with dark hair.
Brown rats have brown bodies with black shading and shaggy coats.
Brown rats have tails that are dark on top and pale underneath.
Adult brown rats weigh about 11 ounces.
Brown rat droppings are shaped like capsules.
Black rats have light, slender bodies, pointed snouts, and large ears with no hair.
Black rats have gray bodies with black shading and smooth coats.
Black rats have dark tails.
Adult black rats weight about 7 ounces.
Black rat droppings are shaped like spindles.
Rats have longer body lengths, measuring about 8″ in body length with another 9″ of tail length.
Rats have larger feet and heads compared to body size than mice do.

Where Do They Live?

Rats will dig under buildings, along fences, and under plants and debris.
The brown rat usually lives on the ground or in burrows.
The brown rat is usually seen in buildings, sewers, and outdoors.
The black rat is usually seen in buildings around ports and in ships.
The black rat will nest high up in roofs, attics, and trees.

What Do They Eat?

Brown rats prefer cereals.
Brown rats tend to seek food in the same place everyday.
Brown rats drink about 2 ounces of water a day.
Black rats prefer moist fruits.
Black rats tend to seek food in different places each day.
Black rats drink about 1 ounce of water a day.

How Do They Move?

Rats can enter a building through a hole as small as 1/2″ in diameter.
Rats are strong swimmers and can live in sewers.
Rats can enter buildings through broken drains and toilets.
Rats will climb to get food, water, and shelter.
Rats follow regular routines and paths everyday.
Rats usually stay within 300 feet of their nest or burrow.
Rats are nocturnal.
Rats have poor eyesight.

How Do You Get Rid Of Rodents?

Now that you know the difference between mice and rats, what can you do to get rid of them? Check out these 7 tips for getting rid of both mice and rats:

Know The Signs. Signs of both mice and rats include droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, and burrows. These signs can especially be seen around food sources.
Keep It Clean. Mice and rats will come into your home in search of food. Store food in airtight containers. Don’t leave food or dirty dishes out overnight. Wipe crumbs off the counters. Sweep and vacuum floors regularly. Secure your garbage. Don’t leave pet food out overnight and store it in airtight containers, also.
Don’t Let Them In. Eliminate any entry points into your home. Seal any cracks in your foundation. Seal around any openings in the walls, especially around utility pipes and vents. Use weather stripping for gaps in doors and windows.
Don’t Forget Outside. Remove debris from around your home. Keep your yard mowed and weeded. Trim shrubbery away from the sides of your home. Keep woodpiles away from your home.
Use Your Pets. Cats and even some dogs will hunt rodents. Use them as a ready made form of pest control.
Use Traps. There is never just one moue or rat so it is best to use several traps at a time. It is also a good idea to use different types of traps. Use whatever food the pests have been feeding on as bait in your traps. Place traps perpendicular to the walls and near where you have seen signs of their presence.
Call The Pros. If you suspect a mouse or rat problem in your home, contact a pest control professional. They will be able to evaluate your home, identify what kind of rodent you have, and set you up with a comprehensive treatment plan.