The Difference Between Rats and Mice and Why It Matters

Besides the fact that rats and mice look different, there are quite a few other differences between the two. Your rodent control efforts will be most successful when you understand each of these pests really well. Knowing things like their behavior, what they like to eat, and habitats will help aid your control efforts. What works to control mice will not necessarily work to control rats.

Mouse vs. Rat Behavior

One of the most important differences in behavior between mice and rats is that mice are curious and rats are careful.

• Cautious rats: Rats are very careful and will choose to avoid new things in their way until they have had time to get used to them being there. Because of this, you need to plant unset traps in the rat’s path before putting set rat traps there.
• Curious mice: Mice are very curious and will investigate anything new. So you have to do just the opposite for them: set the trap and put it right in its path. In fact, if you do not catch a mouse in the first few days, the trap is probably in the wrong place and should be moved.

Physical Characteristics

Mice have small heads and feet with a pointed snout and huge ears with hair on them. Usually have a light brown body and can weigh up to about 15 grams. Their droppings are rod-like in shape.

Rats have a light slender body with a long tail. Large ears with no hair on them. They can weigh up to 200 grams and their droppings are shaped like spindles.

Mice Habitat

Mice prefer to eat cereal grains and plants, but they will feed on almost anything. A mouse will build its nest in a hidden area near a food source. It will use just about any soft material or finely shredded paper to build its nest.

Rat Habitat

Rats will eat nearly anything, but they prefer fresh grain and meat. Rats need 1/2 to one ounce of fluid each day. If rats do not get this in the food they eat, they have to find water. Unlike mice, which rarely burrow, rats will dig under buildings, along fences, and under plants and debris to find what their looking for.

Now you know you’re able to tell them apart and can explain clearly to rodent exterminators if your case is out of hand.