Am I Dealing With Mice or Rats?

Mice vs rats in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho at RentokilRats and mice are two dreaded pest problems for homeowners here in Northern Utah. If you’ve had a rodent infestation, you know how frustrating it can be. Both rats and mice share many similarities, but they differ in many ways as well. From deer mice to Norway rats, it’s important to know what type of rodent you are dealing with. The rodent control pros here at Rentokil are sharing their expert information on differentiating between rats and mice. Keep reading to learn whether those are rats or mice infesting your home.

Rats or Mice: Which One is Infesting Your Property?

As rodents, both rats and mice share one common identifying trait: their ever-growing incisor teeth. They also both can carry and spread a number of dangerous diseases, making it more important than ever to know how to identify a rodent problem. Here’s how to differentiate the two:

  1. Rats
    • While they differ between species, rats typically have larger bodies that are about 6–9 inches in size.
    • Rats have small, hairy ears and larger feet.
    • Their droppings are much bigger than those of mice at 10–20 mm long.
    • Rats produce 3–6 litters a year with up to 10 pups in each litter.
    • Rats are opportunistic feeders that will eat meats, grains, seeds, and much more.

Mice and rats identification in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho - Rentokil

  1. Mice
    • Most mice are only 2–4 inches long.
    • Mice typically have larger ears and tails compared to their body size.
    • The droppings mice leave behind have pointed ends and are just 1–2 mm long.
    • Mice are omnivores but mostly feed on seeds, grains, and fruits.
    • They are more prolific than rats: Mice produce 5–10 litters a year with up to 14 mice in each litter.

What Are The Signs of Rats or Mice in My Home?

Rats and mice exhibit similar behaviors, meaning they both leave the same signs of their activity! Some of the most common signs you have rats or mice in your home include foul odors, odd noises, gnaw marks, chewed up nests, burrows or tunnels, and droppings or urine spots. Besides being a nuisance to get rid of, rats and mice alike are dangerous due to their ability to transmit some of the world’s worst diseases. For this reason alone, it’s always best to enlist the help of a professional rodent control company when dealing with these pests.

What to Do When You Find Mice or Rats

If you think you are dealing with rats or mice, it’s best to call your local rodent control team at Rentokil. We are committed to keeping you and your family safe from the dangers both of these pests can bring into your home year-round. Call us today to learn more!

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Rats & Mice on the Rise During the Pandemic

Rodents infest Northern Utah homes during the pandemic - RentokilRodent problems are always an issue for property owners in the fall months here in Northern Utah. However, they are worse than ever this year due to the pandemic. This is because many restaurants and cafes had to limit operations, leaving rodents with fewer food resources. Unfortunately, this only encourages rodents to look to another source, which is often your home! With rodents competing for limited resources, the CDC has warned that they could be more aggressive than usual. For this reason and because rodent infestations are dangerous, it’s crucial to learn how to prevent rats and mice in your home. The team at Rentokil is here to help.

How to Prevent Rats and Mice During the Pandemic

With everything else going on this year, you definitely don’t want to add a rodent infestation to the pile. Here’s how to keep them out:

  1. Securely store all food in metal or glass containers with tight-fitting lids.
  2. Seal off cracks and crevices around openings. Mice can squeeze inside holes the size of a dime.
  3. Clean up pet food and bird seed debris, and store pet food in robust containers with fitted lids, preferably above ground level.
  4. Thoroughly clean inside the house and around the garden. Less clutter means fewer places to hide.
  5. Put outdoor garbage bags in metal garbage cans with securely fitted lids to stop them from feeding on contents.
  6. If you have a compost heap don’t include organic food waste, as this will attract them.
  7. Inspect your garage, attic, crawlspaces, and vents for potential rodent hiding spots.

Are Rodents Dangerous Because of COVID-19?

Rodents are a dangerous pest to have on your property during a pandemic or not. There has been a lot of information falsely spread about a link between rodents and the coronavirus. Thankfully, there is no current evidence or research to show that rodents are transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to humans. When it comes to rodents during the pandemic, the main thing to worry about is that they are getting more aggressive in nature, can carry other diseases, and could cause damage to your property. Some of the diseases they have been linked to include salmonellosis and hantavirus.

Need Rodent Control This Fall?

With Rodent Awareness Week upon us, now is the ideal time to make strides to protecting your property from rodents. A fall rodent infestation can be frustrating and dangerous. If you need assistance with rodent exclusion, our rats and mice exterminators can help. The Rentokil team is committed to keeping you rodent-free all year long.

5 Ways to Prevent a Fall Rodent Infestation

Rodents infest homes in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho in the fall - RentokilHere in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, we deal with rodents at all times of the year. However, because we experience such a shift in weather when the seasons change, rodent problems rise in the fall. When temperatures start to drop, rats and mice will make their way inside homes and businesses to seek out food, warmth, and shelter. Because rodents can contaminate surfaces, spread germs, and cause structural damage, it’s extremely important to learn how to keep rats and mice away. The team at Specializes knows how important it is to keep your property and family safe from rodents. We’re here to share our top 5 ways to prevent a rodent infestation.

How Dangerous are Rodents Inside?

Rats and mice can be a lot more destructive than you think. If you’re hearing rustling in the walls or gnawing noises, chances are you may have a rodent problem. Rats and mice will take shelter in the attic, basement, and garage. They also will infest kitchens, laundry rooms, and are highly likely to invade your trash cans if given the chance.

A rat or mouse problem often begins when the rodents get in through your chimney, pipes, air vents, and more. With incisors that never stop growing, their chewing habits can be destructive. They also are known carriers of germs and bacteria that can cause disease. For these reasons, it’s crucial to invest time in rodent prevention.

Tips & Tricks to Prevent Rodents This Fall

Once inside, rats and mice can be difficult to get rid of. That makes it all the more important to know how to keep them out in the first place. Our top ways to prevent a rodent problem include:

  1. Store food properly. Securely store food in tight-fitting containers with lids.
  2. Seal holes around pipes. Use caulk or wire wool to cover up gaps and openings near pipes and other openings.
  3. Cover vents. Install mesh screens on your vents. Also, consider installing screens on doors and windows.
  4. Use tight lids on trash cans. Rodents love to rummage in the garbage! If possible, keep your trash cans sealed and stored.
  5. Protect eaves. Fix any damaged roofing and use wire mesh to seal gaps in your eaves.

Need Rodent Control in Utah?

A rodent infestation is bad news. They are harmful to your health and the integrity of your property. If you’re noticing the beginnings of an infestation, or you want to prevent one, the rodent exterminators at Rentokil can help! Contact us today to learn more.

Need Help with Rodent Prevention?

Rats, Mice, and the Dangers They Bring

Rats chewing on wires are one of the many dangers of rodents in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. The mice exterminators at Rentokil can help prevent them.

If you have a rat or mouse problem in your property, these rodents can be much more dangerous than you may think. As a nuisance pest, rodents will rummage through your food and chew on wires, but they can pose a bigger threat. In addition to simply making a mess in your home or business, rodents are infamous for directly or indirectly transmitting a number of dangerous diseases. Because rats and mice are a common problem throughout Northern Utah and Southern Idaho year-round, it’s important to understand the many dangers of rodents.

The Dangers of Rodent-Borne Diseases

Rodent problems are most feared for the health risks they bring about. Several of the world’s most infamous diseases have been tied back to rats and mice. We now know the bubonic plague was transmitted by fleas, but rats and mice carried the fleas and thus contributed to the outbreak. Today, some of these diseases remain a threat, including the following:

  • Hantavirus. Most often found in the urine and feces of deer mice, hantavirus can cause symptoms from fever and chills to aches in pains. In serious cases or when it is not treated, it can lead to shortness of breath and kidney failure.
  • Salmonella. Rats and mice can walk over surfaces and contaminate everything they tough. Salmonella, commonly referred to as food poisoning, can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and worse.
  • Rat-bite fever. True to its name, rat-bite fever is caused by a bite or scratch from an infected rat. It is also caught by handling infected animals and ingesting food or drink contaminated with the rat’s feces or urine.

Property Damage From Rodents

Besides the diseases they may cause, rats and mice infestations can leave your property a mess. Three of the biggest headaches rodents cause include:

  1. Chewing. Rats have incisors that never stop growing … meaning they never stop chewing! When they chew on electrical wires, they can cause a short circuit and create a fire hazard.
  2. Nests. Rats and mice will make nests out of anything they can get their paws on, meaning they’ll shred through a number of things in your property at will.
  3. Droppings. In addition to being a health hazard, droppings are unsightly, messy, and smelly. It’s important to enlist the help of a professional in cleaning up after a rodent infestation.

When to Use a Mice Exterminator

If you’ve noticed rats or mice in your property, it’s recommended to call a rodent exterminator as soon as possible. With the threats and dangers of an infestation in mind, you now know why it’s always best to enlist the help of a professional rodent control company. At Rentokil, we will work with you to keep your home or business safe from the dangers of rodents year-round.