Rats vs mice infestation is a common problem for Australian homeowners. Knowing “how I differentiate between rat and mouse infestations” is necessary. To identify this difference, you must know the types of rats and mice. Thus, you might see the difference between their lifespan, physical appearance, and habitat characteristics. These little bugs are more than just a nuisance and cause serious illness. You need the best rodent treatment if you have a rat vs mice infestation inside your home. This blog post will help you identify significant differences among these critters and protect your home without rodents.
Rats vs Mice Infestations
A rat and mouse infestation is the worst thing that all the homeowners want to remove from their houses. If you hear an unfamiliar sound, or notice an anonymous smell, these are the signs of rats at your place. Here is the list that helps you differentiate between rats and mice infestation.
Rats and Mouse Physical Appearance
It is crucial to know about the size of mice and rats. The research shows that all rodent species are larger than mice. The different kind of rats, such as roof rats, are 5-8 inches bigger in size without including their tails. Its tail is 10 inches in length. If we talk about the Norway rat, it is also more prominent with a 10-inch long tail that is s of long l.
Mice are usually smaller, such as 3 inches. They have a short tail around 4 inches long. Besides their physical appearance, these pests can also be more dangerous and cause severe damage. If you suspect a sign of rodents, it will help you know what infestation you have in your area. For more details, please check the Zap It Pest Control Melbourne blogs.
Fur Color
Rats and mice can be seen in different colors, such as brown, gray, white and black. Mice are usually found indoors and have soft, cleaned fur in light colors. While if we discuss rats, they have darker shades and are dirtier, they are often found greasy. They like to hang around walls, sewers and messy places. They leave a greasy rub mark, which distinguishes them from mice.
Rats & Mice Habitats
Rats and mice might look the same but have different behaviors and habitats that help homeowners to remove them. Knowing how rodents behave and their nesting habitat is critical to identifying and managing rodent infestation. You can differentiate between them by following these points.
- Rats are good climbers but usually prefer building their nest at ground levels. These are crawl spaces, basements, garages, and more.
- Rats can drink daily to survive in the long run, while mice can not drink water for long. You can detect these insects near wet areas such as water pipes.
- Mice are very good at climbing high and building their nest indoors, such as in cabinets, attics, upper, floors, floors,
- Mice make tiny holes and fit into spaces as small as a dime. At the same time, rats chew bigger ones about 1 to 2 to 1 wide.
Signs of Droppings
The size and shape of rodent droppings depend on the body size of rodents. Rat droppings often look similar to mouse droppings but are more significant than mice’s. There are three common dropping of rats:
Brown Rat: The Brown rat’s droppings are approximately 20 mm long and have a cylinder shape.
Black Rat: Black rat droppings are up to 15 mm long. It is usually not as big as the size of brown rats.
Mouse: The size of these little creature droppings is up to 3-8 mm long. It is black and often scattered during inspection.
Breeding
The lifespan of a female mouse is about 2 years. She will produce up to 200 – 300 offspring. The newborn rodents depend entirely on their mother’s feeding as they are blind and hairless. In a year, one single rat can produce approximately 2000 rodent species. Here are some essential points that are discussed below:
Brown Rat: A brown rat can give birth to 7-8 young ones per litter with 3 to 6 years in a year. It will be fully grown in 10 to 12 weeks.
Black Rat: A black rat usually includes 5-10 babies per litter and reproduces 3 to 6 times annually. They need 7 to 8 weeks to grow up.
Mouse: A house mouse rat has 4-16 litters and with 7 to 8 years annually. They will mature in 8 to 12 weeks.
How to Prevent Rats and Mice Infestation
Invading your place can become unsettling if you have a mouse or rat infestation. Mice can get through a tiny hole, such as a quarter inch. A small rat can fit in the openings about 1 inch wide. Here are some ways to prevent rodents from invading your place.
- Fix the leakage and drainage system
- Covered the food containers tightly
- Keep your place well-ventilated, like the basement, attics etc.
- Cut trees and shrubs back four feet from the house.
Conclusion
Rodents like rats vs mice are troublesome in Melbourne, especially during the colder months. After reading this article, you should be able to spot the differences between them. It is crucial to understand which type of rodent you must remove. Use effective pest control treatment. If you find a spot for rats vs mice infestation, please contact Zap It Pest Control Melbourne. We have advanced technology and chemical and non-chemical treatment methods to eliminate it.
