Seeing a small, furry animal scurry past your kitchen floor can be very alarming. Alerting a pest control service is the first step to mitigating the problem. However, you may also want to get an idea of whether your intruder is a mouse or a rat. The following guide offers tips for distinguishing the two animals.

A Guide to Mice vs. Rats

Appearance

The easiest way to tell them apart is based on their size. Typically, a full-size rat is about five inches larger than a mouse. It also has a blunt snout. A mouse, on the other hand, has a triangular snout, long whiskers, and a furry tail—in comparison to a rat’s scaly, hairless one. As a result of this difference, rats tend to leave a grease trail behind them.

Food Preferences

Rats and mice are similar in their tastes, but rats prefer grains and meat and mice enjoy grains and plants. They also need a little more water in their diet, requiring about an ounce of fluid each day.

Shelter

Mice prefer to seek shelter by building a nest in small, hidden areas with easy and direct access to their food source. They will use items for their nest like finely shredded paper. Rats, however, burrow deep beneath buildings, debris, and fences.

What Damage Can Each Cause?

Both rodent species can crawl through extremely small holes to enter your home. If they aren't able to get in, they may chew their way in. Mice, however, tend to gnaw much more than rats—possibly damaging your furniture, wood, or books. When they begin to chew through insulation, there is a chance that they may hit a wire, which can create a fire hazard.

Both mice and rats can also spoil food and transmit diseases to you or your pets. Therefore, if you spot one, it’s important to arrange for pest control before they have a chance to cause more harm or multiply.

 

In need of pest control service? Turn to the experts at All Service in New Braunfels, TX. The experienced exterminators will work with you to remove any pesky bugs or animals from your home—from ants to rats. Currently, they are offering 10% off termite treatment. In addition to their extermination services, they also provide vent cleaning and chimney sweeping. For more information about their capabilities, visit the website. Call (830) 626-2847 to set an appointment.