Pest Control Westwood; Ways To Know Whether You Have A Rat Or Mice Problem

By Stephen Ross


It is not foreign to find a person with pet mice or rats. Even so, most people hate rodents because they are destructive and a great nuisance within business and residential settings. These creepy crawlies can chew electrical wiring, piping, drywall and insulation, not to mention that they can pose health hazards when they contaminate food or water. When searching for dependable pest control Westwood is an excellent place to begin your hunt.

During an eradication project, the first thing that the experts do is find out the kind of pest they are dealing with. Bear in mind that traps that work for mice may not always work when trying to catch rats. Here are some telling signs that could help you tell whether you have a rat or mice problem.

In case an infestation is extensive, chances are that the rodent colonies will not remain contained in their nests. This means that you have a chance of seeing rodents rushing across your floors even in broad daylight. In case you spot one, check out its appearance. Mice have noses that are triangular in shape and their rails are thinner and slightly hairy. They are also tiny and grown mice will not be more than seven and a half inches.

Mice do not grow more than seven and a half inches. On the other hand, rats can grow as big as 18 inches. Rats also have thick tails that are hairless and their noses are round. You can also tell that you have rats within your premise if the rodents you see are gray, brown or black in color.

Rats and mice are both excellent swimmers and they can gain entry into your home through broken drains and toilets. They are also nocturnal and you may hardly see them during the day unless they are in grave need of food. It pays to understand that both species are able to stand on their hind legs.

For you to tell the difference between these two almost identical species you may need to check out their nesting habits. Mice will in most cases prefer nesting on food wrappers, strings, shredded paper and soft materials like pillow stuffing. They will also favor areas of the home that are warm and close to sources of food and water. You may therefore find them behind stoves or in the kitchen pantry.

Rats also favor soft nests made of cloth or hair. Even so, they often build their nests outdoors and dig holes under buildings or in the garden. They can also make nests in nearby trees, under thick bushes or shrubs or in the attic. To access your interiors, rats will make routes that they will travel through each day to get their food and water.

The droppings of mice are tiny and rod-shaped. On the other hand, rats leave behind droppings that are almost twice the size of the pellets left behind by mice. Because rats are naturally cautious, catching them is harder. Mice are on the other hand curious and the traps you set are likely to bear fruit.




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