Rodents come in all shapes and sizes. Some are adept climbers and would rather jump from tree to tree than scurry around on the ground while others prefer the comfort of an underground burrow to a hole in a tree. Mice and rats are no different! Though they share many similarities, there are still several things that set them apart from each other.
Different Bodies
House Mice are small rodents at only 12 to 20 centimeters in length and weigh around 12 to 30 grams. They can be identified by their white, brown, or gray coats and pointed snouts. They can also be differentiated from other rodents by their round bodies, large, floppy ears, and long, thin tails.
Roof Rats, on the other hand, are much bigger and quite a bit heavier than mice. Rats are generally about 40 centimeters long and can be varying shades of gray, brown, and black. Their distinguishing features are their short, blunt snouts and their long, scaly tails.
Different Habits
Both mice and rats are nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the nighttime hours. Although both leave their fecal matter behind wherever they go, rats leave a considerably smaller amount of dropping, though their droppings are a sizable amount larger.
Mice also have shorter lifespans than rats do, living to be between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years old, compared to rats who typically live for 2 to 3 years. This may not seem like a huge difference, but it does allow rats more time to breed and grow their populations.
One common difference between these two rodents is the damages they can do to your home. While mice can definitely be damaging to homes, rats can chew larger holes, and due to their larger stronger teeth, are able to chew through some things that mice cannot such as wire mesh, cinder blocks, bricks, aluminum, and surprisingly, even concrete!
However, one thing that both rats and mice share in common is their filthy lifestyles and the ability to make us become very ill. These rodent pests can spread harmful diseases like Leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and hantavirus, which can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Needless to say, mice and rats are dangerous to have around.
Why It's Important to Call DANCAN for All Your Rodent Control Needs
Here at DANCAN, we understand that no two rodent infestations are exactly the same and that preventing rodents is a whole lot easier than getting them out once they have already invaded. Luckily enough, our team of highly-trained technicians are efficient at both keeping rodents out and getting them out if they have found their way inside. In fact, it’s what we do best! So if you want a rodent-free home, consider calling upon the help of the professionals here at DANCAN The Pest Control Expert today!
To learn more about our home pest control services in Frisco and surrounding areas, including specialty rodent control in Texas, reach out to us today!