Knowing whether you have mice or rats in your house or commercial property is very important when attempting to control the infestation yourself or getting professional removal or rodent proofing experts to help you. The look and behavior, the nesting patterns and even the types of damage are very important indicators that will help identify the rodent in question and determine the type and size of the traps and the material that should be used for sealing.
Physical Characteristics Of Rodents
The average house mouse is small and light brown or gray in color. Adults can weigh about 0.5 ounces and their droppings are small and stick-like. Roof rats are bigger and can weigh up to eight ounces. Their body is darker and slender, their ears are hairless, and their droppings are shaped like spindles. Norway rats are the largest type. They have thick bodies and can weigh as much as eleven ounces. Their dark brown body is hairy and their droppings are shaped like capsules.
Common Rat And Mouse Behavior
Mice usually run, walk, or stand on all fours, sometimes with additional support from the tail. They are mostly nocturnal, hate bright light, are very curious, and will investigate anything new, presumably searching for food. Rats, on the other hand, are careful and they choose to be near water and stay in the same place to avoid predators. Norway rats tend to live in lower floors and roof rats on the upper floors, but they rarely occupy the same location.
Eating And Breeding
Mice prefer to eat grains and plants, but they will feed on almost anything. They will make their nest from any soft material or shredded paper, as long as it's in a hidden area near food sources. In one year, which is the average lifespan of a house mouse, a female can have up to ten litters of five to six young mice. That's fifty to sixty new rodents in a single year! Rats prefer to eat grain and meat but will eat nearly anything if those are in scarce supply. They must have up to an ounce of fluid daily. Norway rats live in burrows while roof rats nest in walls, attics, and even trees. A female Norway rat can have six litters of up to twelve younglings per year while its roof-based counterpart can have up to eight litters of eight. Needless to say, you'll want to get rid of these pests as soon as possible, before an infestation takes place. Give our team a call and let us make sure your property is completely rodent proof.