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When it comes to rats and mice, you don’t want either in your home. While it may seem like they’re the same thing, they carry quite a few differences. These are key to not only identifying what kind of infestation you have but also for determining the best animal control strategy to remove them. If you suspect there are unwanted guests in your home, use the following guide to determine which has found its way in.

Rats

The key difference between rats and mice is size. Rats are roughly 18 inches long and have heavy, thick bodies. This means larger droppings, which resemble spindles or capsules depending on the size. Rats are careful, routine-based creates that travel on a similar path from their nesting area to food sources. When new items appear in the path, they’ll be wary of investigating them. Because of this, activity drops, leading many homeowners to make the mistake of believing they’re gone.

It takes only a half-inch of space for a rat to enter your home, and many prefer to nest in flooring or outside the home if they have a reliable access point. Traps often don’t work since rats will be cautious around them, and because they begin breeding at 3 months old, it’s best to have animal control take a look before the issue gets out of hand.

Mice

animal-control-american-bio-tech-wildlife-services Mice are noticeably smaller than rats, with more pointed faces and lighter coats. Because of this, their droppings are smaller. They’re more curious, making them easier to catch with traps, and usually nest close to food sources. Mice are extremely agile, able to jump and climb up some vertical surfaces, and often leave scratching and gnawing marks behind. Unlike rats, which mostly feed on grain, mice will eat anything. They reproduce extremely fast, which is why you should never delay calling animal control.

 

If you’re dealing with rodents, bats, or other unwanted visitors, turn to the animal control professionals at American Bio-Tech Wildlife Services. Located in New Milford, CT, they’ve used humane animal control techniques since 1971 and are committed to relocating animals to safe areas where they won’t cause trouble. Visit their website to explore their services further and call (860) 355-1231 today to schedule a consultation. You can also connect on Facebook for news and updates.

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