How Do Mice Differ From Rats?

Mice and rats are two of the most dreaded pests for homeowners here in the Pacific Northwest. Rodent problems can leave a big mess behind when they infest properties, and they can be dangerous as well. All rat and mouse species share the common identifying feature that is their constantly growing incisor teeth. But how do they differ? Rats are obviously bigger than mice, but their differences don’t stop there. At Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest, we want our customers to be well aware of the pest they are dealing with. For that reason, we are outlining all you need to know when it comes to learning how to identify rats and mice here in Washington.

What to Know About Mice

We all know that mice are significantly smaller than rats, but how else do they differ?

• The house mouse is usually just 2–4 inches long.
  Mice have larger ears and a longer tail compared to its body length.
• Mice are often gray or brown in color, with a lighter shade or white color on their bellies.
• Mice droppings have pointed ends and are just 1–2 mm long.
• Most mice feed on fruits, seeds, grains, and occasionally meat.
• They produce 5–10 litters a year with up to 14 mice in each litter.
• Mice forage at dusk and nest in attics, garages, basements, and more.

7 Rat Facts

Rats are known to be more aggressive than mice, but their differences don’t stop there.

• Rats have thicker bodies and tails that are shorter than the length of their body.
• They possess small hairy ears and larger feet.
• They weigh anywhere from 150 to 300 grams.
• Rat droppings are banana-shaped and much bigger than mice droppings at 10–20 mm.
• Rats produce 3–6 litters a year with up to 10 pups in each litter.
• Rats are adventurous, omnivorous eaters who will feed on a variety of grains and meats.
• They forage overnight and nest in garages, trees, and basements.

Do You Need Rodent Exterminators?

Rats and mice may differ in many ways, but they’re similar in the dangers they can bring into your home. Rodents can spread germs and disease, trigger allergies in people, and make a huge mess with their droppings and chewing habits. If you suspect you have these pests in your property, it’s time to call your local rodent exterminators at Western. We can identify which species you’re dealing with before implementing the best rodent control plan. Contact us today to learn more!

If you own a home or business, the last thing you want to deal with is a rodent problem. Not only do rats and mice cause a mess in your property, they can also spread dangerous diseases and contaminate food. These diseases are most commonly spread through their droppings, but can also be transmitted indirectly through fleas and mice. It’s important to understand the dangers of rodents in order to protect you and your family. Keep reading for expert info from the exterminators at Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest.

What Diseases Are Spread by Mice?

Several of the world’s most infamous diseases have been tied back to rats and mice. We now know the bubonic plague was transmitted by fleas, but rats and mice carried the fleas and contributed to the outbreak. Today, some of these diseases are still a threat, including:

• Hantavirus
  • Most often found in the urine and feces of deer mice, hantavirus can cause symptoms from fever and chills to aches in pains. In serious cases, it can lead to kidney failure or worse.
• Salmonella
  • The bacteria spread by rats and mice can track onto food. The most infamous bacteria is of course salmonella, known as food poisoning.
• Lyme Disease
  • This is of course transmitted by ticks, which are often carried by rats and mice. This disease is dangerous and can have long-term effects on health.

Types of Rodent Damage

One of the reasons why rodent problems are feared is because of the property damage they can create. Rats have incisors that never stop growing, which encourages them to chew constantly. They often chew on cords and wires, which can short circuit and cause a fire hazard. Mice and rats alike will tear through a number of materials to create nests, leaving behind a mess every time. Rats have also been known to cut through extremely tough materials like steel, concrete, and wood, which can cause structural damage to your home or business.

Trustworthy Rodent Exterminators

To avoid dealing with the many dangers of rodents, it’s best to team up with a professional rodent exterminator. DIY rodent control is simply not an option due to how dangerous these pests can be. In addition to providing effective, quick mice extermination, the team at Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest can protect you from future rodent infestations as well.

Mice infestations are any homeowner’s worst nightmare. In addition to being gross, rodents cause destruction and spread filth. Because they reproduce at such a rapid rate, it’s crucial to act quickly as soon as you notice a problem in your property. One of the most common ways to control an infestation is with a mousetrap. In order for them to work properly, it’s important to educate yourself on setting a mousetrap properly. Keep reading for expert tips from Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest.

Which Mousetrap is Best?

Electronic, glue, and catch-and-release mousetraps are some of the most common types. All of these have a number of advantages and disadvantages with varying degrees of success. However, the most common—and likely the most popular—trap is the spring-loaded mousetrap. This classic design has been used for decades to catch mice, and is easier to set up than you may think. Still, there are several tips to keep in mind when setting a mousetrap in order for them to work effectively.

Expert Tips for Setting a Mousetrap

Mousetraps take more effort than setting and forgetting them. Some of the top tips for setting a mousetrap include:

1. Using the best mousetrap bait
   1. Not all mice like cheese!
   2. You only need to use a small amount of bait that cannot be reached unless mice step on the trap. If they can swipe it without standing on the trap, they will!
2. Starting with unloaded mousetraps
   1. Try setting traps out with bait (without loading them) for a couple of nights. This will trick mice into a false sense of security with the mousetraps.
3. Setting more than one trap
   1. Always place more than one trap out—each two to three feet apart each—to have a better chance at catching as many mice as possible at once.
4. Setting out mousetraps strategically
   1. Place mousetraps where mouse activity is common, including along walls and behind furniture, with the bait placed nearest to the wall.
5. Checking the mousetraps on a regular basis
   1. Mice can, in some instances, grab bait without setting off the trap. They can also set the trap off without getting caught! Get in a habit of checking on the traps for efficiency.

Professional Mice Extermination

Mousetraps may work to lessen the population of rodents in your property. However, they aren’t always a long-lasting solution to a serious mouse infestation. If you’re noticing growing numbers of rodents in your property, it’s time to call the mice exterminators at Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest. Our mice exterminators know how frustrating these tiny rodents can be and have the experience needed to get rid of them. For more tips on setting a mousetrap or to learn about our removal methods, call us today!