The Difference Between Mice and Rats
Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice are the most common types of home-invading rodents. There are a number of physical differences between mice and rats that help to identify them:
- House Mice – These little rodents are lightweight and measure about five inches in length. They have grayish-brown fur.
- Norway Rats – These heavy, bulky rodents are about a foot long on average. The pests have gray coats with pale underbellies.
- Roof Rats – This species is agile and slender, though roof rats are about the same length as Norway rats. These rodents are grayish-brown in color with a light yellow underside.
Mouse vs. Rat Behavior
Families of mice consist of one dominant male, several females, and their young. Rats live in similar colony structures. However, rats and mice have different nesting preferences.
Several behaviors may indicate whether there is a mouse vs. a rat problem. Norway rats, for example, stay around the lower levels of homes, while roof rats prefer higher elevations like attics. Mice, on the other hand, simply build their nests close to food sources. Many rats fear new things in their environment, while mice are often curious.
Contamination & Disease
Any mouse or rat has the ability to pollute food with its feces, urine, saliva, and fur. Rodents contaminate an estimated 20 percent of the world's food. Rats and mice are also vectors for a wide range of diseases such as plague and rat-bite fever. Additionally, they carry parasites like fleas, ticks, lice, and mites.
Control of Rats and Mice
Whether homeowners have mouse or rat issues, removal is a necessity. The technicians at Critter Control are experts in dealing with rodent infestations and can determine the best course of action to deter rats and mice from entering homes.
Learn more about mouse removal.
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Best Bat Removal
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in
Tulsa!
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.
Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.
Because
bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious
bat droppings.
Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.
She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!
Service:
Bat Removal
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.
He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!
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