The Difference Between Rats and Mice

Hearing scurrying noises at night, or seeing signs of damage around your home? Strong smells coming from the loft or a new extension. These are some of the signs of a rodent problem. The difference between rats and mice can be hard to spot but here are a few to help you know which pest you have.

Size and Shape

If you see a rodent the difference in the size of the body is hard for some people to judge if it is a mouse or a young rat. Look for the size of the head and feet. If they are both large this will be a rat. Mice have small heads and feet, their tails are long and thin and have hairs on them, while rats have thick hairless tails. Mice are 12-20cm in length while rats are 32-46cm length.

Droppings

Finding rodent droppings are a sure sign that they are present and the shape can indicate the type of rodent, the size of the infestation, and where they are most active. Mouse droppings are small around 6mm long and pointed on both ends leaving around 80 droppings a day. Rat droppings are larger and thicker and usually 40 droppings a day.

Breeding

Rats breed 5-10 pups per litter and can have 3-6 litters a year. Brown rats reach maturity at 10-12 weeks, black rats are able to breed from 7-8 weeks of age.

Mice breed from 8-12 weeks with litters of 4-16 pups and can have 7-8 litters a year.

PESTUK can treat both rats and mice using poison baits not commercially available. We can also give advice on proofing and preventing further issues.

PESTUK

PESTUK are full members of the BPCA, the governing body for pest control in the UK. Using a BPCA member company ensures you have a qualified, fully insured company treating your pest problem.

PESTUK have offices in Balham, Oxford, Guildford, Enfield, Potters Bar, Reading, Shepperton, Wantage, Salisbury, St Albans, Stevenage and Ware.