Is it a mouse or a rat?

There may be two sides to every tale, but do you know a mouse tail from a rat tail? Visually, you may be able to easily identify a mouse from a rat – when they’re standing still! But when these disease-carrying rodents are on the move or hiding, sometimes the only way to know for sure what you’re dealing with is to identify them by their droppings or a specific trait. 

So what are some of the key identifiers that can help you tell the difference between these two home-invading pests? Check out our list below.

Colour/Length (without tail)

House  Mouse

Gray to light brown; light brown chest; 2¾ to 4 inches

Norway Rat

Coarse brown with black fur; gray or white chest; 7 to 10 inches

Nose, Ears, and Eyes

House Mouse

Pointy nose; small ears and eyes; color blind

Norway Rat

Blunt nose; small ears and eyes; color blind

Tail

House Mouse

Same length as body; nearly hairless with rounded scales

Norway Rat

Shorter than body; hairless with rounded scales

Habitat

House Mouse

Urban and suburban areas, close to humans offering a food source and shelter

Norway Rat

Urban and suburban areas, close to humans offering a food source and shelter

Food Source

House Mouse

Mostly fruits, seeds and grains such as cereal, occasionally meat

Norway Rat

Neophobic: avoiding anything they are unfamiliar with such as baits. Prefer unspoiled foods: grains, fish, nuts, and meats

Droppings

House Mouse

¼ inch long; rod-like with pointed ends

Norway Rat

¾ inch long; rounded ends

Behavior

House Mouse

Nocturnal, forage at dusk and night; excellent climbers; nest in attics, garages, and basements

Norway Rat

Nocturnal, forage at night; excellent swimmers; create burrows; use sewers as access points; nest in basements and garages

Life Cycle

House Mouse

Gestational period 19-21 days; birth litter of 3-14; 5-10 litters a year; lifespan 1-3 years

Norway Rat

Gestational period 21 days; birth litter of 7-14; 4-6 litters a year; lifespan 1-3 years

Signs you have mice

Signs you have rats

• Holes in food packaging measuring approximately 2 inches in diameter
• Tooth or scratch marks on wooden baseboards, cabinets, window panes, doors, etc.
• Chewed electrical wire, piping or insulation (creates a potential fire hazard)
• Chewed sheet metal, lead pipes or concrete
• Grease marks left on walls, baseboards, and entry points from their fur rubbing
• Droppings: dark pellets with blunted ends, about 3/4 inch in length
• Tracks: four toes on the front feet and five on longer, hind feet; claw marks and/or tail marks often visible

How are rodent-borne diseases transmitted?

Rodents are known to spread more than 35 diseases. About a dozen can be transmitted directly to humans, while the majority are spread indirectly. To avoid any exposure, you should familiarize yourself with the five primary ways that rodent-borne diseases can be transmitted.

• Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings
• Direct contact with rodents, their urine or droppings
• Consuming contaminated food or water
• Through a bite wound
• Indirectly by being bitten by fleas, ticks, or mites that feed on infected rodents

Are rodents outwardly aggressive?

Rats can exhibit aggressive behavior when threatened, which is usually the result of fear-induced defensive behavior. Unlike rats, mice will not attack and prefer to avoid humans. However, mice may bite when they’re being handled.

Prevent rodents from entering your home

With their ability to reproduce at incredibly fast rates, time is of the essence to avoid costly damage, dangerous contamination, and the risk to your family or business. The sooner you identify a rodent issue, the better. Western Exterminator pest specialists are experts in rodent prevention, treatment, and exclusion and can protect your home and family from the risks associated with these destructive, disease-carrying pests. Contact us today if you suspect you have a rodent problem.