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RATS VS MICE

The most common rodents you could find around or in your property would be either a house mouse, Norway rat or a roof rat. All these rodents need to be controlled differently. Other than looking different, there are different characteristics between them. Rodent control efforts will be more successful when you understand each of these pests fully like knowing their behavior, food preferences and habitats. What works for mice won’t work for rats. Small mouse traps that work for mice won’t work for much larger rats. Also rat traps set on the floor won’t capture roof rats that tend to stay up high.

Rats are cautious and very careful. They will choose to avoid new things in their path until they have had time to get used to them being there. Because of this, you need to place unset traps in the rat’s path before putting set traps there.

Mice are very curious and will investigate anything new. So, for them you do the opposite. Set the trap and put it right in its path. In fact, if you don’t catch a mouse in the first few days, the trap is probably in the wrong place and should be moved.

There are over 70 species of mice and rats around North America. More commonly it will be one of the rodents below:

House Mouse: Small head, small feet, pointed snout, large ears with some hair. They have a light brown body with some gray shading and a dark tail. Adults weigh 0.5 ounces and their droppings are shaped like rods.

Norway Rat: Heavy and thick body, blunt snout, short ears with dark hair. They have a brown body with black shading and a shaggy coat. Their tails are dark on top and pale underneath. Adults weigh 11 ounces, and their droppings are shaped like capsules.

Roof Rat: Light and slender body, pointed snout, large ears with no hair. These rats have a gray body with black shading and a smooth coat and a dark tail. Adults weigh 7 ounces, and their droppings are shaped like spindles.

Mice prefer to eat cereal grains and plants, but will feed on almost anything. A mouse will build its nest in a hidden area by its food source. They’ll use just about any soft material or shredded paper to build its nest. In one year, a single female can breed up to 10 litters of 5-6 babies. Mice are nocturnal and most active from dusk until dawn. They don’t like bright lights, but will sometimes come out during the day looking for food or if their nest is disturbed. Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as ¼”.

Rats will eat almost anything, but they prefer fresh grains and meat. Rats need ½ to 1 ounce of fluid each day. If rats don’t get this in the food they eat, they have to find water. Unlike mice, which rarely burrow, rats will dig under buildings, along fences, and under plants and debris. The Norway rat lives mostly in burrows while the roof rats’ nest in walls, attics and trees. In a year, a female Norway rat can have 6 litters of up to 12 babies. These rats can start to breed by the time they’re 3 months old. Primarily breeding in the spring. The roof rat has smaller litters of up to 8 babies and can have 8 litters per year. Rats can enter a hole as small as ½” in diameter.

Rats are strong swimmers, so rats will live in sewers and can enter buildings through broken drains or toilets. They follow regular routines and paths each day. If new objects are set in its path, it will do whatever it can to avoid it. Rats usually stay within 300 ft of their nest or burrow.

At the end of the day, it is always best to know what kind of rodent you are dealing with to be able to accurately gain control of the infestation. So, if you feel like you’re losing the battle with those pesky rodents, you can always reach out to Palm Coast Pest Control for a free same day inspection.

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