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Being a homeowner is highly beneficial because you have a place of your own where you will create memories with your family. However, this peace can easily be disturbed by many otherwise unwelcome things. One example of this is pests, which—despite being manageable for the most part—can still create many problems for homeowners.
Among the different types of pests, rodents are the most common, though some are more common than others. More specifically, mice and rats are the two rodents that cause the most problems for homeowners. These pests can be dangerous as they can spread diseases, contaminate food, and damage furniture and electrical wiring. However, the tricky part is chasing them away because they are intelligent, meaning they can have solutions for anything you throw at them. For this reason, their differences are worth noting to get a more accurate picture of what you are dealing with. These include:
Rats Are Bigger
The most apparent difference between mice and rats is their size. Rats are larger than mice, with adults measuring up to 40 cm long and weighing up to 500 grams. In contrast, mice are much smaller, with adults measuring up to 20 cm long and weighing up to 40 grams.
Rats have larger feet and heads, and their tails are longer than mice, and they also have thicker fur and a more robust body. As for other physical attributes, a rat’s ears are relatively smaller, and its snout is more pointed. On the other hand, a mouse’s ears are larger, and its snout is more rounded.
Dropping Size
It may be gross, but looking at a rodent’s droppings can give you an idea of what is lurking within your home. Mice droppings are typically around a quarter of an inch long, while rat droppings are as big as a kidney bean.
Consequently, the shape of the droppings can also help you identify which rodent is present. Mouse droppings are typically slender and pointed at the ends, while rat droppings are thicker and more oblong. Color is also an indicator because mouse droppings tend to be lighter, while rat droppings are usually darker.
Activity
Knowing if mice are in your home is tricky because they move quietly and hide well. Rats are generally the same, but they tend to make a lot of noise, alerting you to their presence.
You must inspect the areas where they might live to check for a rodent infestation. Look for droppings, nesting materials, and chewed-up items. Mice and rats like to hide in dark, secluded areas. Check in closets, cupboards, drawers, basements, the attic, and dark corners.
Catching Rodents
Once you’ve identified a rodent infestation, you must take action to get rid of them. There are a variety of traps and baits you can use to catch mice and rats. Live traps are a humane way to capture rodents and relocate them. You can also use glue traps and snap traps.
If you are uncomfortable setting traps yourself, you can hire a pest control professional to do the job for you. However, you must consider certain factors when hiring a pest control service, such as:
Experience
You should check their experience and background when hiring a pest control service. Ask how long they have been in business and what kind of training they have received because knowledgeable pest control professionals will have experience eliminating rodent infestations and can provide you with information on the best methods for catching rodents.
Tools Used
A pest control professional can only be as good as their equipment, so ask about their tools. Standard tools used in pest control include traps, baits, dust, and sprays. Traps are an effective way to capture rodents, while baits can be used to poison them. On the other hand, sprays can deter pests from entering your home.
License and Insurance
License and insurance matter when hiring a pest control service because it ensures that the company is knowledgeable in the field and provides a certain level of protection for you and your property if something goes wrong. By extension, it also shows that the company is experienced and capable of providing quality service.
Cost
Above all else, you must get your money’s worth when hiring a pest control service. You should compare the costs of different services and ensure you get the best deal for the quality of work you need. Prices can vary greatly depending on the type of service and the extent of the infestation, so shop around and find the best deal for your specific needs.
Conclusion
Mice and rats are among homeowners’ biggest problems, so you must find a reliable and trustworthy pest control service to help you eliminate them. They will be annoying to deal with, but it is nothing to what they can do to your home. As such, you must act fast to ensure you no longer have to deal with them.
RidX Pest Control provides top-quality rodent removal services. Our pest control technicians will ensure your home is free from pests to help you get a cleaner environment for affordable prices. Call us today at (888) 298-7513 to get a free estimate!
