5 ways to tell the difference between mice or rats in your home (2024)

FAQs

5 ways to tell the difference between mice or rats in your home? ›

Mice have thin, slightly hairy tails; rats have a thicker, hairless, scaly tail. The nose of a mouse is triangular in shape; the nose of a rat is more blunt and rounded. Both mice and rats can be brown or gray in color, but rats can also be black. Mice droppings are approximately 1/4 inch long with pointed ends.

Additionally, rats have a more blunted snout than mice, and their greasy fur can give them a shiny appearance. Mice, on the other hand, can be distinguished by their smaller size (usually maxing out around 8in) and larger ears. Mice also have a characteristically pointed snout and thinner tails than rats.

The strong scent of peppermint is overwhelming to mice. Similarly, essential oils such as eucalyptus oil, bergamot oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil are potent in keeping mice at bay. One study noted that eucalyptus oil applied once a day was more effective as a rat repellant than once a week.

Inside, rats can be found hiding out in holes, cracks, and crevices; climbing up through drains in bathrooms and kitchens; behind cabinets; behind and under appliances; in air ducts and ventilation systems; in piles of clutter; in storage containers; in hollow walls; and in crawlspaces, attics, garages, and basem*nts.

Rats are also known to adapt to certain environmental conditions. These pesky creatures can survive on little food and water. This means that even if your house does not provide enough food, they will still squeeze through openings to look for food and return to their nests.

Do Rats Make Noise at Night? Rats, like mice, are nocturnal, so you're more likely to hear them moving around or scratching and gnawing at night if you're awake.

With so many humans and noise going on at night in clubs, rats don't feel comfortable coming out at night, so they are forced to come out in the daylight hours to find food and water. Most sightings of rats during the daylight hours are usually in gardens or other outdoor areas.

Mice are very averse to strong smells, so these can be used to keep them away from your home and property. Try things like ammonia, bleach, moth balls, or essential oils like peppermint, clove, tea tree, rosemary or cinnamon.

Will sleeping with lights on keep mice away? No, sleeping with lights on is ineffective for keeping mice away.

 Rats and mice are nocturnal with most activity taking place between approximately one half hour after sunset to about one half hour before sunrise.  Garbage is an excellent food source for rodents.

How do you make rats come out of hiding? ›

There are two effective ways to drive rodents out of hiding: using food bais to attract them outside and utilizing repellents to force them out of the nest. If you choose to bait them, bait like peanut butter will attract them outside in no time.

Food of Any Kind

Of course, rats are most attracted to food. A home with easy access to food of any kind, including scraps and crumbs, virtually asks rodents to invade your home.

So, what is the fastest way to get rid of rats? Pest control is the most efficient method to get rid of rats quickly but the usage of mouse traps, snap traps, chemical baits, and live traps are all effective methods to get rid of rats as quickly and effectively as possible.

Rats are social creatures, which means that if you find one dead rat, there are likely more living rats somewhere nearby. To help avoid coming across another rat, be it dead or alive, you'll need to take the following preventative measures: Keep up with building repair and maintenance to eliminate entry points.

So, what does a rat hole look like? The entrance to a rat's burrow is typically 2 to 4 inches across. Active burrows have smooth walls and the dirt is hard-packed with loose dirt fanning out at the entrance. The entrance will also be clear of debris and spider webs.

You can hear scratching, gnawing, and rustling in your attic or inside walls. Rats also chomp and grind their teeth (bruxing).

Indoor Hiding Places

Wall voids that are insulated and located close to heat sources. Voids in and behind large kitchen appliances. Areas that are hidden by stored items and clutter. Inside furniture and infrequently emptied or inspected storage boxes.

Both of these rodents can cause unique problems for your home and family. Rats are larger and can be more aggressive. If they feel threatened, they may even bite. Because of their size, a single rat can cause more damage to a home than a single mouse.