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.

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!

Mice control

Last Updated: May 2021

If you think you have a mice control problem SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated can help. Professional mice control involves removing the mice from your home by sealing the animal entry holes and setting bait stations or traps for the mice depending on your infestation situation.

Signs you need Mice Control

If you are hearing scratching or gnawing noises at night, there is a good possibility you have a mouse issue. You will also know you have mice by droppings, by odors and through finding bite marks on certain foods and household items. Make sure you call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, Toronto rodent removal experts right away. Don’t let a small rodent issue in your home or business turn into a huge infestation problem.

The most efficient mice control methods are those administered by trained pest control experts

Is Mice Control Necessary?

Yes, living with mice can put you at risk of health issues. Mice droppings are unhygienic and need to be cleaned up immediately as the smell may also attract more rodents. About 6% of mice can carry the hantavirus disease in their urine, feces and saliva that can infect people. All mice and their droppings should be treated as infectious and dangerous. Mice will also cause a lot of damage in your home by chewing. Having wildlife in your home, especially rodents must not be taken lightly. When you’ve got a mouse or a family of them in your house, call the experts.

Populations grow rapidly and are extremely difficult to eradicate. It is best to target infestations when colonies are small

SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated Mice Control Service

How do professionals get rid of mice? Well each mice control case is entirely unique. when you contact SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated we will ask you numerous questions prior to engaging in any extermination or control methods.

Questions that will help implement a strategic solution include

  • What is the size of the property?
  • Is it detached?
  • Where have you seen the mice?
  • What noises are you hearing and when?
  • How long have you had them?

Your answer helps assess your mice control situation and implement a program based on whats deemed necessary. We will come to your home and inspect the outer perimeter to find entry holes. If we find entry points for the mice in the exterior inspection and they are minor holes we can plug them for you. We will then go into your house and implement the best option whether its mouse traps, mechanical traps, glue boards or bait stations. The bait stations are inaccessible and locked, although they must never be tampered with unless you are a trained and licensed professional. They are strategically placed throughout the infrastructure of your home.  Extreme caution and safety is exercised when implementing mice control measures.

  • Please be patient, depending on the infestation level effective control can take a period of time.
  • Do not move or tamper with any stations or traps
  • Do not use any other mice control products as it may work against our rodent control measures
  • Follow recommendations given by technicians like removing food sources, sealing containers, keeping floors very clean and removing trash regularly.
  • Technicians will return at a time convenient for you and them to check the situation and remove bait and traps.

Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 647-994-9453 for Mice Control

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