Many of us are familiar with that scurrying sound in the walls. However, when it comes down to getting rid of rodents, many people don’t care what they’re dealing with as long as they’re out of the house ASAP! We highly encourage our customers to learn about the differences between the two. Understanding the differences can make it easier to take measures against them.
No matter what kind of pest you’re dealing with, though, a professional pest control team is vital if you want to make sure they stay gone. To learn more about the differences between mice and rats in Louisiana, read on for some pointers from the rodent control team at Ja-Roy.
4 Differences Between Rats and Mice
While they share many similarities, the differences between mice and rats are consequential enough to allow the pros to tailor their prevention efforts to the species in question. These are the four main factors to look for to tell if you’re dealing with rats or mice:
- Appearance: As established above, rats are physically larger than mice. They also tend to be darker in color.
- Behavior: Rats tend to be on the smarter side. When dealing with mice, you can put baited traps out and expect success with a quick turnaround time. However, rats are a little more cautious; they tend to be cautious about new things in their environment, even if they’re baited with tasty treats. Placing unset traps first can help increase the likelihood of their eventual success.
- Diet: It’s a misconception that mice like cheese; they actually prefer grains and plants. Cereals and fresh produce are delectable to mice. Rats are less picky, but their favorite foods are fresh grains and meat. Keep all food in airtight containers and away from the floor to minimize the risk of rodent contact.
- Habitats: Mice like to build nests close to their food source using shredded paper, fabric, or similar materials. Both local rat species nest differently: Norway rats burrow outdoors or in large enough piles of debris, and roof rats nest as high up as they can, usually in attics or trees.
4 Common Rodents in Louisiana
Louisiana is home to a variety of rodent species. Here we’ll focus on the attributes of some of the most commonly found ones. All of them can transmit diseases, such as rat bite fever, to humans and their fellow animals. They tend to build their homes near humans to take advantage of an easy food source.
- Deer mice. These are small rodents (only 5-8 inches long, including their tails) are also referred to as field mice or white-footed mice. Their coloration ranges from gray to brown with a white underbelly. They are common carriers of the hantavirus, which they transmit through their droppings.
- House mice. Similar to deer mice in size and coloration, these mice are more likely to make their homes inside of houses and buildings. They’re known to carry diseases like salmonella and can contaminate food with their waste – or just by walking on it. They also cause property damage by gnawing on wires and walls.
- Norway rats. Usually about 16 inches long (tail included,) you might also hear these rats called “brown rats” or “sewer rats.” They’re nocturnal, so you’re unlikely to see them during the day. They are known to carry diseases such as salmonella and rat bite fever.
- Roof rat. Also known as “black rats” or “ship rats,” the roof rat is slightly smaller than the Norway rat at 13-15 inches long. They prefer to build their nests off the ground and tend to forage for food at night. They can also carry salmonella and rat bite fever.
For more information, visit our rodent identification page.
Rats vs Mice: Why Should I Know the Difference?
To a certain extent, whether or not you have mice or rats in your home makes no immediate difference. Both types of pests can spread dangerous diseases and filth and cause similar damage to your home: scratches, stains, and chewed-through wiring. Either way, your safest move is to hire a rodent removal professional to assess your situation.
Rodent Removal Services with Ja-Roy
No matter which rodent species you’re dealing with, you can trust in the technicians at Ja-Roy to remove them. Our rodent control experts conduct comprehensive mouse and rat removal services, offering advice to prevent future infestations based on complete property inspections. For a free quote or to hear more about how we can help, contact us today!
Mouse or Rat in Southern Louisiana Differences Between Louisiana Rodents?
Ja-Roy Pest Control Services is a local Pest Control and Extermination company helping homeowners and businesses with pest issues across Southern Louisiana.
