Mice and rats are two of the most common rodents in the United States. While these furry pests might seem interchangeable to you, knowing the differences between them will prove useful in finding the right methods to evict them if they find ways into your home. With the help of a pest control service and the following guide, you’ll be able to identify and eliminate unwanted guests. 

How Can You Tell Mice & Rats Apart?

Mice tend to be between two to four inches long, whereas common Norway rats are around seven to nine inches long. However, keep in mind the size difference is more apparent in adult mice and rats. A young rat is similar in size to an adult mouse.

Typically, a house mouse has a small head and feet, large ears, and a pointed snout. Their coloration is light brown with some gray, and they have dark tails. Their droppings are usually rod-shaped and found near food sources. 

In contrast, the Norway rat has a thin body, short ears, and a blunt snout. Their coloration is brown with black shading, and they tend to have shaggy coats. Their tails are pale underneath but dark on top, and their droppings are spindle-shaped. 

Roof rats, another common type, have slender bodies, pointed snouts, and large ears. Their coloration is gray and black, and they have dark tails. Their droppings are also spindle-shaped.

What Are Behavioral Differences Between Mice & Rats? 

In general, mice tend to be bolder and more curious than rats. Rats tend to be warier of new surroundings. Thus, your pest control service might place unset traps in their paths to get the rodents comfortable enough to go near them before replacing them with set traps. 

Because mice are more adventurous, they may prove easier to trap. They tend to like exploring new areas, so they might walk right into whatever trap is set. 

Which Causes More Damage?

Both mice and rats are capable of doing plenty of structural damage to your home, and can even threaten your health. 

These critters gnaw on electrical wires and wood structures. Rats have strong teeth that can sometimes even gnaw through glass or metal. They’re capable of chewing their way through building materials like oak wood or cinderblock. However, mice have weaker teeth, and you can protect food items by keeping them in hard plastic containers. 

Mice and rats can also bring harmful bacteria and diseases into your home. If they invade your food cupboard, you might be in danger of ingesting whatever they’re carrying. To mitigate this issue, have an exterminator get rid of a critter as soon as you see one. 

Protect your home and health from pesky rodents with the help of Aardwolf Termite & Pest Control Inc. in Bessemer, AL. These experienced exterminators help customers throughout Jefferson County to keep their homes pest-free. They’re a locally owned business with nearly 50 years of experience in working efficiently to rid your home of mice, rats, termites, and a range of other unwanted guests. Call (205) 338-6615 to get reliable and affordable pest control service. Learn more about their residential and commercial services online.