(602) 919-5915Is it Mice or Rats? How to know what pest you have
Having a pest infestation is one of the worst things that can happen to a home. With stored foods and clothes lying around, it’s easy to see why rodents are attracted to homes. There is usually more food than they can eat and warm places to rest and reproduce with very little or no predators to control their population.
In the colder months, one survey shows that 3 in every 10 homes in the United States have a rodent infestation. So if you have seen droppings around your kitchen, noticed scratches on your walls, and maybe heard a bit of nibbling around your home, you probably have a rodent infestation.
While nobody is happy with a rodent infestation, it is prudent to be able to identify the specific rodent involved. This is required to be efficient in dealing with the problem.
Rats and mice leave droppings that are very dangerous to human health, it is advised to wear masks and gloves when dealing with such a pest. Both rats and mice are responsible for the contamination of food sources and are well documented for biting through electrical wires which can cause a fire outbreak.
If you are unlucky to have either of them in your house without dealing with them, your house can be overrun in no time. They reproduce several times in a year. Rats reproduce about 6 times a year with 12 babies making each litter, while mice reproduce between 5-10 times per annum with each litter made up of 6-8 babies. They both are carriers of parasites and diseases and should therefore not be welcomed in any home.
Related: Home Remedies for Pest Removal
How to know which pest is troubling your home – Mice or Rats
Rats and mice are quite similar and to the untrained eye and one can be mistaken for the other. But there are some ways to tell them apart:
Rats are larger than mice – Rats can grow up to 11 inches long from head to tail, while mice sizes are between 2½ – 3¾ inches long.
The bigger rodents are responsible for the larger droppings – Because rats are bigger, their droppings are quite large than mice. So large droppings mean you are dealing with a rat infestation.
Mice are smaller, they can easily get access to homes and can pass through smaller spaces to access food – Mice have the ability to squeeze to holes of ¼ of an inch while rats require a lot more space than that.
While they are both quite the athlete, they have different abilities – Rats are expert climbers while mice can jump to heights greater than afoot.
They both prefer different diets – Rats have a preference for meat and grains while mice like to eat grains and plants. Note that they are both not fussy eaters and will eat anything they can get.
Lifespan – The average lifespan of rats is generally higher than that of mice. Rats usually live for between 18 – 24 months while that of mice is generally 9 – 12 months.
General habits that help in preventing a rodent infestation
● Make sure foods are well preserved in airtight containers.
● Floors should be free of food crumbs by sweeping and mopping.
● Always check for holes, cracks, crevices, and make sure they are sealed.
● Always make sure that trash containers are covered, trash should be disposed of on a regular basis.
The best way of dealing with either rats or mice infestation is by contacting a professional exterminator. They are your best bet for prevention and removing them from your home efficiently. This will definitely save you time and money in the long run. CONTACT US FOR Mice or rats removal in Phoenix
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