Two well-known rodents, the rat and the mouse, are generally viewed quite differently. Rats drag with them heavily negative connotations, seen as dirty, sometimes aggressive, and inherently unlikable. The mouse has it easier – mice are cute. Heck, a mouse is the star attraction at two major American theme parks! (Can you imagine a Ricky Rat’s club going very far?)

What is important is to realize where rats and mice are alike. They do have many differences, but let us be aware of where they are similar – both are pests, both can invade a pantry or crawl space, and both can bring with them unwanted germs or diseases.

It’s ultra-important when removing any pest or rodent from the home to fully understand which animal is creating the problem. So let’s take a look at how to know the difference of whether you’re dealing with mice or rats.

Differences

Knowing the differences between rats and mice is helpful beyond being able to identify which is which. Rats and mice behave differently, and it is of utmost importance in regards to animal control to understand the pest and be able to predict its behavior.

The biggest difference between the two rodents is the curiosity of the mouse and the caution of the rat. Rats show great caution and will not haphazardly investigate or approach new things. So, setting a trap for a rat might not be initially effective because a cautious rat will avoid it. First, consider putting the trap out un-set or unarmed in order to allow the rat to grow comfortable with the device. Then, after a short period has passed, the once unarmed trap can be set.  

The curious mouse, however, will approach new things, so it’s possible that if a trap has not succeeded in catching the mouse, the trap needs to be moved to a different location.

Other differences include:

Rats:

• Burrowers
• Can swim and often enter homes through sewage and drain pipes
• Habitual – set and follow routines
• Can fit through ½” holes

Mice:

• Nest instead of burrow
• Likely to enter homes through cracks in foundation or vents
• Non-habitual behavior
• Can fit through ¼” holes

Similarities:

• Nocturnal
• Infestation noticeable by gnaw marks, droppings, and tracks (mice) or traveled pathways (rats)
• Carriers of disease including plague, Hantavirus (Western US), Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM), and Tularemia (Continental US)

Mice are actually the primary carrier of LCM (5% of house-mice are infected in the United States), so maybe rats really do have an unfair reputation when compared to their smaller relatives.

If you think you have a rat or a mouse in the house, look for the telltale signs in order to diagnose your pest problem, so you can then go about the best way to rid yourself of the problem. Give the wildlife experts at Critter Control of the Triangle a call at 919-382-0651 in Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Cary NC and other cities around Wake County.