Rats and mice are both rodent pests that can cause significant damage to your home. They also introduce diseases like Salmonella, Leptospirosis, and Hantavirus to your family.
While the appearance of these two rodents can be similar, there are several traits that distinguish rats and mice apart. Here are some of the most obvious differences:
Identifying a Rat
Few things are as disconcerting to homeowners as discovering that rodents have taken up residence in their walls, attic, crawl space, or garage. Regardless of the reason for the rodent invasion, it is important to be able to identify exactly what type of rodents have invaded so that proper trapping and exclusion methods can be used to get rid of them. This is because rats and mice have distinct differences that may affect the effectiveness of certain methods of elimination.
Rats and mice both belong to the order Rodentia, which also includes gnawing mammals such as squirrels, beavers, and porcupines. However, despite their similar appearances, mice and rats are quite unalike in terms of their size and other traits that distinguish them from one another. In fact, the only true identifying characteristic between these rodents is that mice are smaller in weight and length than rats. In addition, mice are slender in build and have shorter tails compared to their head size, while rats are thicker and broader in build.
While a mouse’s small size may make it easier to capture, it’s also what allows them to voyage in and out of the tiniest spaces. Unlike the bulky, more timid brown or Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), mice are so thin that they can often squeeze their way into the tightest of spots, scurrying quickly in search of food.
This scurrying nature makes it so easy for rodents to chew their way into our cabinets, where they can contaminate our foods, steal food from us, and eat away at the valuable storage space we use for our favorite foods. In addition, when these pests are unable to get their paws on the goods we have stored in our cabinets, they’ll simply chew through the packaging and its contents, leaving a mess behind that can be difficult to clean up and exposing us to potential illnesses such as salmonella, tuberculosis, and other diseases.
One of the main reasons it can be hard to tell whether a homeowner is dealing with a rat infestation or a mouse infestation is because rats and mice have similar coloring and fur. Both rodents can be shaded in brown and gray, although rats tend to have more pronounced markings than mice. Moreover, young rats and mice have stubby noses and heads that give them a clumsy look. However, the easiest way to tell a rat from a mouse is to pay attention to their ears. Rats have large, proportionally larger ears than mice and are more proportional in size to their heads.
Identifying a Mouse
There are many signs of a rodent infestation, and often it can be difficult to pinpoint which type of pest is causing the damage. Whether you hear scratching in your walls or find droppings in your cupboards, it is important to know what type of rodent you are dealing with so that you can take the appropriate measures to stop their damage and prevent future invasions.
Mice and rats are both rodents, sharing traits such as long incisors in their upper jaw and small gnawing teeth. However, they can be very different from each other in terms of physical appearance, behavior, and habits. Mice and rats are both part of the order Rodentia, but they are classified in different genera. In order to distinguish between the two species, you will need to look for clues, such as their size and fur texture, as well as their diet and environment.
Rats are larger than mice, and they are typically black or brown in color. They are much more common in urban areas, and they can cause significant damage to homes and businesses. They tend to burrow and nest in places such as attics, basements, or crawlspaces. They also infiltrate barns and grain silos, contaminating food and spreading disease. Some of the most common rat species homeowners encounter include roof rats, brown rats, and Norway rats.
In comparison, mice are much smaller than rats and can be white, gray, or black in color. They are nimble climbers and can fit into small gaps, allowing them to access parts of a home that would be impossible for larger rodents to get into. They are very curious and will often investigate new things, including bait traps. On the other hand, rats live in fear and are hesitant to explore, making them less interested in bait traps.
Both rats and mice are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They are both excellent diggers, and they will dig tunnels under structures or in areas of your home where there is plenty of shelter. They build their nests with any soft, fibrous material they can find, such as paper, dry grass, strips of fabric, or even your home’s insulation. Both rats and mice are omnivorous, so they will eat almost anything, but they have a preference for cereal grains, seeds, and fruit.
You can identify a mouse by its large, floppy ears and thinner tail than a rat’s shorter, thicker tail. The tails of mice are covered in hair, while rat tails are bald. Mice walking across the surface leave smudge marks from their oily fur. Rats, on the other hand, will leave separate smudge marks from their rough paw pads.
Both mice and rats are avid drinkers, so you may notice gnawed or missing items from your pantry or in your pet’s water bowl. Mice are more likely to eat cereal grains and seeds but will also consume soft fruits and vegetables, including bananas, avocados, and tomatoes. They will also eat other types of household waste, such as plastic bags and trash.
