What’s the difference between rats and mice?

Rats, mice. Mice, rats. Little squeaky noised rodents that are all the same. Right?

While although mice and rats have many similarities in both physical appearance and behaviour, they are not the same. Both rodents? Yes. Both small? Yes. Both possible problems for the average homeowner/property owner? Yes. Same rodent? Nope!

The names mice and rat have always been used interchangeably to describe these rodents running around the property, but should they?  Mice and rats have some significant differences when it comes down to it, but what is important to know are the different types of damages they can cause.

There’s a reason as to why rats and mice are often mixed up, so let’s start with the similarities: The main reason why these two are regarded as the same is because of how they look. Both mice and rats are small rodents, with rounded bodies, a pointed snout with ears that stick up and a long tail. They both scurry through the city, finding their ways into basement, kitchens and hiding between walls, looking for shelter and a reliable food source.

What’s the difference between a rat and mice?

Let’s break it down and identify some of the different characteristics mice and rats have from each other.

Mice

  • Mice have larger ears than rats
  • Smaller in size (3-10cm)
  • Weighs up to 19g
  • Long hairy tail
  • Lifespan avg. 2 years
  • Smaller droppings
  • Mostly herbivore

Rats

  • Larger than mice (can grow up to 40cm)
  • Smaller pointed ears
  • Hairless tails
  • Rats can weigh over 100g
  • Larger droppings
  • Known as omnivorous/opportunistic eaters
  • Stronger and therefore can cause more damage than mice
  • Lifespan avg. 2.5 years

Knowing some of these key identifying factors can be helpful for you when determining whether you have a mice or rat living on your property.

What are the dangers of having these critters in your house?

Whether you’re hosting either mice on your property, or rats, regardless of the rodent, you’re going to want to have it removed. While they do have many differences as mentioned above, another thing they do have in common (although not always to the same degree) are some of the risks.

Here are some things to be aware of and take precautions for if you’re experiencing any rodent problem

  • Rodents catching and transferring different bacteria, germs
  • Droppings from rodents can potentially be a health risk
  • Possible carriers of parasites
  • Getting bitten or scratched
  • Chewing through your wires
  • Growing population on your property
  • Nuisance for your pets
  • Chewing through structure of property or through personal belongings
  • Leaving droppings and making a mess

And more

Why you should get professional help

Although there are many rat and mice control solutions out there on the market or DIY methods online, they may not always be the most effective nor safest solution.

Getting professional wildlife and pest control services is recommended especially if you have had no previous experience dealing with these sorts of problems. Hiring a professional ensures that the safety precautions are taken, that proper methods are instilled, that effective measures are put in to place and that you will get the results you want.

The sooner you call, the faster you can eliminate the chance of an increasing rodent infestation! If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS wildlife control, we provide superior pest control services for residential, commercial and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.

How to get mice out of your property

Mice. We have all heard of these tiny, fast moving rodents. We see them in movies and on television followed by loud high-pitched shrieks from scaring people who come in contact with them. Some see them as cute critters while others see them as nightmares, but one thing’s for sure, is that these little guys can be trouble when they get stuck somewhere in your home. We’ll explain to you how to recognize, prevent and remove these little mice from your property.

How to detect you have mice living in your property

You kind of have an idea, but you’re not yet 100% sure whether you’re hosting a mice gathering in your home, behind your walls or elsewhere? These mice can’t hide for too long. Have a wander around the property and see if you catch some of the following signs:

  • Droppings on the floor
  • Holes in the wall
  • Cracks in the floor and ceilings

Something else you might notice are the sound of gnawing or clawing from behind the wall especially at night when everything is very quiet. Although facing this issue might be alarming, keep your head up! It’s better to find the problem sooner than later, to when it’s escalated to bigger issues like extensive damage or an infestation! If you’re still not sure whether you have mice either behind your walls or anywhere else on your property, give a professional pest control technician a call to conduct an inspection and verify this for you.

How to get rid of mice on your own

So now you’re sure that you are faced with a mice problem. There are several routes you can take from here. One, is to call a professional pest control company to solve the problem for you, giving you lasting results with safety measure implemented. Taking that route is recommended, especially if you have not dealt with wildlife and pest control issues before.

If you are not ready to call for a professional, there are still other options available. While there are different sorts of methods available online or in stores, S.O.S Wildlife Control and Pest Control still recommends calling a pro due to the different risk factors involved. Please take all safety precautions if you decide to conduct your own mice control.

If you are faced with mice problems on your property, these are some popular methods of mice control outside of calling a professional.

  • Mousetraps are one of the most common solutions to mice control and is easily available for purchase from any general or hardware store. While they are common and available, there are still some risks involved with setting these types of traps. If you do decide to use this as your mice control method, please exercise caution and read and follow safety guidelines as instructed.
  • As a preventative measure, seal any open holes in your house to keep any mice or other sort of wildlife animals from getting into your property
  • Removing cartons, cereal boxes and boxes in general will help eliminate their resting place.
  • Keep a neat area, free of trash or crumbs that might attract mice to these areas for food sources
  • Keep all food in secure containers, away from any accessible areas for mice. This includes securing pet foods away as well.
  • Regularly checking property structure for cracks and holes.

While all of these solutions may help reduce mice appearances on your property, they may not always be the best long-term solution. For effective mice control results, call a professional wildlife and pest control company to help you.

Using professional services

Now you’re probably wondering, is calling professional actually worth it when I could just do it myself?

Having a professional help, you solve your mice problem is a long term, safer and more efficient solution over conducting it yourself. Although mice traps may work, they can be a safety risk to toddlers, pets and adults if not careful.

Here are couple more reason why mice control by professionals is the more effective and safer choice:

  • Wildlife and pest control technicians are familiar with mice, and mice behavior and therefore know the most efficient methods on how to get rid of them and keeping them away
  • Technicians will know where to look, and conduct a thorough inspection to learn the severity of the situation. They will help you determine whether that single mouse you found is the only one, or if there’s infestation in progress!
  • SOS Wildlife Control and Pest Control technicians have years of experience in mice control and therefore know the best practices
  • There are some risks to conducting mice removal, especially when getting too close to mice droppings as their feces can be hazardous. Our technicians ensure the right precautions are taken

An important thing to keep in mind is what happens during these mice removal processes. After technicians have set up the bait stations and the mice have taken the bait, what happens is the mice dehydrate and are in search for water. Unless you have an available water source where mice can easily access from in your home , they poison from the bait will fulfill it’s purpose by the time the mouse it outside leaving you with no dead mice problem inside the house.

All in all, if you don’t want mice in your living space or anywhere on your property call a professional wildlife and pest control service. With a pro, you’ll be able to be longer lasting and effective results! Deal with your mice problem today and call S.O.S Wildlife Control and Pest Control!

If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS wildlife control, we provide superior pest control services for residential, commercial and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.

Are Damages Caused by Mice & Rodents Covered by Insurance?

It’s common knowledge that damage cause by mice is a nuisance and dealing with the situation can be pricey, but can insurance companies help you out?

Having unwanted mice on your property is definitely an unsightly, nuisance situation – but more than that, can be a costly and destructive problem. Mice in buildings, homes etc. are a common issue throughout all parts of Toronto and the GTA, and when it happens, the mice become even more problematic the longer you wait. Wait too long and soon enough, you’ll be faced with a mice infestation, with mice in your cupboards, under appliances, behind walls etc. Alone, mice are already a challenging situation, but in groups where they multiply quickly, your property is at risk, putting you at risk of having to deal with the aftermath.

Damages caused by mice is not a great situation. Their ability to chew through the following can be dangerous, costly, and a risk to your health.

Mice can chew through

  • Electrical wiring
  • Gas lines
  • Wood
  • Soft Concrete
  • Drywall
  • Rubber

Having these capabilities and more are a sure way to ring up a couple transactions on your dime. Or is it covered?

Do Insurance policies provide protection against property damage caused by mice?

Short answer? Under specific circumstances

Long answer? Sometimes they do, but only if the situation falls under what is written in the policy. Some insurance companies for the most part do not cover the damage caused by rodents. If a mouse chews up your walls, some wiring or some pipes it’s possible that you are on your own. Under certain policies, some insurance companies do not cover damage due to the fact that mice infestation is due to negligence. It is recommended to verify with you insurance company to see what is included in your plan.

For some insurance companies to get involved with a mice problem would be when an incidental problem occurs. For example, a mouse that chews your electrical wires may not be covered, but if this causes a fire to the home, then it is possible that an insurance company will take care of it.

If you shop around enough, you might be able to find an insurance company who offers pest control damages on their plan. Usually these plans are offered at a higher cost in a more elaborate insurance plan, or it’s treated as an add-on. It’s not a bad idea to consider these options if you’re looking to be covered for mice problems, but an alternative is to take preventative measures before it can even happen.

Don’t Ignore a Mouse Infestation as it can be a Health Hazard

As previously mentioned, a mouse infestation can be costly, but more importantly, it can be a health hazard.

Mice are known to cause lots of damage, and in these damages, the risk of threats to yourself and your family increases. Although small in size, their effects on a property can be massive, for example, some nibbling through pipes can cause flooding or even worse, mice chewing through electrical wires can possibly cause fires.

More popularly known about mice over causing lots of damage is their reputation for carrying germs or spreading viruses. Mice are small enough to get into our walls, under our appliances and even in our kitchen cupboard, so if there is a mouse on your property, ensure that these places are inaccessible as you don’t want them to contaminate your food storage. Some common viruses that are spread from mice are salmonellosis, listeria, or hantavirus. Hantavirus is a virus contracted by inhaling or ingesting mice feces or urine and can cause major health risks. Chances of this occurring goes up when you have a family of mice in your property.
Dealing with mice is more than a nuisance, it can be a health risk. So for the safety of the building occupants, don’t ignore a mouse infestation and take care of it now better than later. As soon as your notice mice activity on your property, it’s best to take care of it as soon as possible. Mice multiply quickly, and together, they have the ability to wreak havoc, so take precautions before it is too late.

Ways to protect your home from Mice infestation by sealing your house

If you want to avoid a mouse infestation, protect your home before it’s too late. It’s much easier to take preventative measures now, rather than having to deal with the unfortunate consequences later which can end up costing you even more.

One of the main methods of mice infestation defense is by having areas sealed around the house. Finding areas which are more prone to mice entering must be conducted first. Once these areas are identified, they should be sealed (often done with caulking/steel wool) to prevent mice from coming through. This will help in reducing the chance of a mouse infestation which in turn can save you money in the long run.

To stay on-top of preventing a mouse infestation, another thing you can do is to regularly inspect and monitor the property for any holes or weak spots, potential entry-points for mice to come through.

Prevention is a great way to avoid a mice infestation, but in the case where it’s too late, you can call a pest control expert like SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated

How SOS Wildlife can help you get rid of Mice

SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated has years of experience in all sorts of pest control including certain insects, rats, and mice.

Our mice control services include sealing mice entry-points to prevent mice from coming through the property as well as the use of tamper-proof bait stations. These bait stations are meant to keep people from meddling with it, which keep them, children and pets safe.

Don’t wait on calling for mice control, take care of mice infestation problems as soon as possible and call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated today!

What to do When You Need Toronto Mice Control

Last Updated: June 2016

The reactions elicited from seeing mice are always shrill and recognizable. Wide-eyed, shrieks and pointing in the general direction you saw the little rodent come from, while trying to be off of the ground by jumping onto a chair or table. Rodents are not generally welcomed visitors in people’s homes. They carry a stigma of having a handful of germs and diseases that transfer to humans or pets. While it is not always the case that these tiny critters carry disease, there are a handful that do, and you don’t want to be the one to find out. Their small size and fast movement allows them to travel from in and out of many places which makes them accessible to picking up germs you don’t want to get in contact with – disease or not. So, it’s not very surprising that homeowners are horrified when they come into contact with mice. However, what they do to take care the situation isn’t always the best solution and in some circumstances, can even worsen it. When you’re faced with needing Toronto mice control, it is recommended to call a professional service for removal help for many safety and hazard related reasons. Calling a licensed wildlife removal service to help you get rid of mice will help you out and can save you time and money in the long-run. Do some research and keep reading below for some more information on how to take care of a Toronto mice control problem.

Toronto Mice Control

Toronto is a great place to be from the tourist attractions like the CN Tower, to the local eateries around the corner. It is filled with a
never ending list of variety when it comes to foods to eat, places to be, things to do, people to meet. There’s no doubt that the city holds a whole realm of adventure and excitement.  Unfortunately in some cases, the city also calls for Toronto Mice Control.  With the amount of activities available, sometime litter becomes an issue. Litter of trash and food and waste. These things are a factor of what attracts mice to surface onto the streets and buildings. The pathway alleys, tiny cracks in the walls, plus their size and their speed allows them to weave through at ease without being seen or caught. It’s not only the downtown city that requires Toronto mice control. The smaller quiet neighborhoods of the GTA also face these mice control issues as well. Older homes or homes with structures with tiny cracks in the floor or holes in the wall give these mice a place to enter through and use the spaces that they find as a shelter. When a mice appears in a place of work or your house, it can be a complete disaster to the homeowner or business owner. In all cases, if you’ve seen/suspected that a mouse has come to your home/work uninvited, you should immediately take control of the situation and call for a professional.

When being faced with a Toronto mice control problem, always seek out a professional. There are many ‘Do it yourself’ suggestions online that walk you through the mice control process. They give you instructions on what you need to buy from your local hardware store or what household items you can find at home and use without even walking out the front door. These options claim to be ‘easy’ when in reality, mice are small and fast, so following an ‘easy’ online tutorial isn’t the best idea. Attempting to do iton your own also comes with a series of risks involved which is why it isn’t often recommended. To get rid of mice requires expertise, and an understanding of the entire situation, because they do vary. A ‘DIY’ option will not be able to assess different cases and won’t be able to give you immediate assistance when you need it. Avoid trying to conduct a Toronto mice control solution yourself and call for a professional. A professional wildlife removal operator will be able to assess your situation, and structure a strategy specifically made out for your home.

SOS Wildlife Toronto Mice Control

When SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated technicians handle your Toronto mice control problem, they do so strategically and effectively. When arriving to your home, our technicians assess the situation by asking you a couple questions and looking for all of the evidence the mouse leaves when living in your home. When entry points and traces are established, our technician will devise a plan of action specifically made out to the layout of your home that will not interfere with your everyday life. SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated technicians will conduct your Toronto mice control in a safe manner with precautions in place. Safety is crucial when conducting mice control which is why it isn’t recommended to conduct these processes yourself. If an error occurs, somebody can get seriously injured which is why, to avoid it, it is best practice to call somebody with professional training and expertise to help remove the mice.

If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior Toronto mice control services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.

Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 1.800.981.0330 for Toronto Mice Control!

How to Get Rid of Mice this Winter Season

Last Updated: June 2016

If you are like most people, it’s likely you do not want any mice in your home this winter. They are small, sneaky animals who leave unpleasant messes in your house including droppings and bite marks that you really would prefer to not deal with. To get rid of mice is just a whole other nuisance when dealing with it. Some people use traps or chemicals incorrectly to get rid of mice. If not done right, this can be ineffective, while in the process, these traps are interfering with your daily life, damaging your home, and the chemicals risks the safety of you family including your pets which is why it’s not recommended to do it on your own. After multiple attempts, you wonder if there are any simpler ways to get rid of mice to which the answer is yes. The answer comes in two parts, the first is for people who don’t yet require any mice control. To avoid getting mice in the first place take some time to analyze your house – or for an even more thorough inspection call a professional to check it for you and take preventative measures to keep the mice out. The second part is for people who now need pest control to get rid of mice. Contact a professional wildlife removal service to take care of it, quickly, efficiently and safely to avoid getting into a mess.

For when you’re unsure whether or not you have a mice problem, there are a couple signs you can look out for. Knowing these will help you determine whether you need to take preventative measures or control measures.

One of the more common signs people notice first when they are experience mice problems are the noises. Mice will gnaw or scratch on furniture, walls or other possessions of yours while inhabiting the home. You might even catch marks on these items including food indicating that the mouse has been there as the products show some damage. Another indication that you need to get rid of mice are the odors, messes and droppings that they are leaving behind. If you have mice in your home, you’re likely to find any of these. Little piles of material under where they have scratched and gnawed, or mice droppings which appear as little dark pellets on the ground mean that you are under the roof with some unwanted guests. If you happen to see the droppings, be very careful near it. A disease called Hantavirus is contracted by mice dropping and are contracted by humans when inhaled. Here are a couple other facts you may want to know about mice:

  • Mice will make shelter out of available material around them. This includes cardboard pieces, paper or pieces of tissue
  • Mice incisors are continuously growing. Domesticated mice have their incisors trimmed regularly
  • Mice grow up to be about 2 inches long
  • Mice can have an average of 8 young in their litter and have several litters a year
  • Mice are nocturnal which is why they are hardly spotted during the day
  • Mice have a history of chewing electrical wiring

Because the weather is colder now, mice will look for a warm comfortable space for shelter which makes your home ideal. To keep from welcoming them into your house do an inspection around the house. Check for small holes, or cracks where mice are likely to fit through and fill them. Keep the house tidy and free of food crumbs or accessible pet foods. Ensuring that your trash bins are kept shut and tidy will also help with raccoon control, another issue you do not want to be face with. To ensure that the entire house has been thoroughly checked, have a wildlife removal service do an inspection. They are trained to know where to look and what to look for when identifying where mice can get through. They will also be able to set up effective preventative measures so that you don’t have to get rid of mice in the future.

When conducting mice control, doing it yourself versus having a professional do it for you can mean the difference. As mentioned earlier, when performing DIY tactics, people must be aware that it has to be done right, otherwise a lot of things can go wrong. Setting up traps and putting out poisons to get rid of mice is ineffective and dangerous if not done correctly. Children and pets are at risk of ingesting something that could seriously harm or in even worse cases can lead to a death. This is why it is always a preferred option to call for professional mice removal service. Technicians from SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated are trained well and will know how to appropriately set up traps not only so that the traps are effective but also so that the traps are set in up in a manner which keeps the household and the family safe. Before setting up the traps, the technician will ask questions to be as thorough as possible in assessing the situation. Both the inside and the outside of the house will be inspected to look for possible entrance/exit ways. Once the technician is aware of everything that they need to know, they will conduct the process to get rid of mice (also similar to the process of rat control).

When looking to get rid of mice, consider SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated. We provide superior wildlife removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. If you’re looking to prevent a mice problem, and proof your home instead to avoid getting into a troublesome situation, we can do that too. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests.

 

Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 1.800.981.0330 to Get Rid of Mice

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