Rodent Round Up: Rats vs. Mice

Fall is the start to rodent season. With their quick reproductive habits, rodent sightings at your business can bring unwelcome consequences if not dealt with quickly.

The first step in evicting these pests once they infiltrate your business is to identify them accurately. Rats and mice are different in terms of color, body features and behavior, but many people have a tough time telling them apart.

Have you ever seen a rat or mouse scurrying through your business and felt at a loss for what to do next? Here are a few physical characteristics that can help you identify them correctly:

Rats:

• Larger in size
• White, brown, gray or black in color
• Short whiskers and blunt snout
• Hairless and scaly tails

Mice:

• Smaller in size
• White, brown or gray in color
• Long whiskers and a triangular snout
• Partially hairy tail; longer than their bodies
• Large floppy ears

Proactive prevention is key to helping keep rodents out. To get a handle on rodents that could be affecting your business, follow these steps:

• Seal holes, cracks and gaps larger than ¼ of an inch on the exterior and interior of buildings.
• Install weather strips at the bottom of exterior doors.
• Trim branches and overgrown plants and bushes.
• Store all food in tightly sealed containers.
• Properly dispose of trash and regularly empty garbage cans.

These vile vermin can multiply quickly since some rodent species breed year-round, taking their populations from gnawing a little problem to a major infestation. Be sure to contact your pest management provider to make a plan for stopping rodent problems before they start.

For more information on how to catch rodents sooner rather than later, download our report, RATS! Your Guide to Avoiding Rodents Like the Plague).

Want more? You might also like:

Can Your Pest Control Outlast the Storm?

The potential costs of just one extreme weather or climate event in the U.S. can exceed $1 billion. With nearly 13 of these extreme, costly events happening annually, many people—and businesses—are left to deal with the aftermath of Mother Nature’s damaging behavior. This threatening weather can bri …

Keep Reading »

Got a Mouse in Your House? Five Most Common Rodents

We’re not the only ones that cozy up indoors when cold weather looms. Rats and mice also shack up inside during the winter months. By the time spring flowers bloom, these speedy breeders may have already taken over your business. Before you begin preparations for the fall and winter months, you n …

Keep Reading »

Do’s and Don’ts of Rodent Control

Rats and mice are experts at sniffing out food and shelter. So, how do you keep these dirty and destructive pests from squeezing through the door? Instead of playing the same game of cat and mouse, it’s time to build a better mouse trap. (To find out why you should avoid rodents like the plague, dow …

Keep Reading »