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 help prevent rodents in your facility, download our rodent ebook or schedule a free inspection with an Orkin Pro™.