Rodent exterminator pest control Nashville, TN
How to Differentiate Between Mouse and Rat Droppings
TITLE Nashville, TN
Pest Control
Jan 20, 2024

Mouse vs. Rat Droppings: Know the Difference

Rats and mice both qualify as rodents, but they do have differences. One such difference lies in what their droppings look like. Knowing the difference can help you know for sure if you have a mouse or rat infestation. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can notify your pest control technician in Nashville, TN for further action.

Main Differences in Poop

Here are the most glaring differences in feces between the two rodents:

  • Mouse feces: Smooth and small, mouse poop is smaller than that of rats. Each one measures about 1/4″, with pointed rather than rounded ends. Mice leave behind lots of droppings, so it should be pretty clear upon visible observation what you’re dealing with (unless the droppings are inside your walls of course).
  • Rat feces: Larger than those of mice, rat droppings measure between ½” and ¾”, with blunt ends rather than pointed ends. For example, Norway rat droppings are brown; roof rat poop is dark brown or nearly black.

Both types of droppings give off a musty odor that doesn’t go away even with open windows, fresheners, and fans. Check for several distinct piles or tracts of what look like dirt. These can appear all throughout your house, but particularly along walls. Perhaps you may have dismissed this as dirt in the past, when in reality it could be rodent droppings.

A Look at Other Differences of Mice and Rats

The appearance of their droppings differ to be sure, but you should take note of the other differences between mice and rats.

Mice

  • House mice are tiny – usually only a few inches long.
  • They are light brown or black in color, with large ears and skinny, hairless tails.
  • They like nesting in warm areas, such as in old clothing or wall insulation.
  • Those nests are usually located within 30 feet of their main food source.

Rats

  • Rats travel in packs, but sometimes rogue rats can be found that do not have a mate.
  • Bigger than mice, they nest on the lower levels of homes within 100 feet of their main food source.
  • Norway rats, the most common type of rat to infiltrate homes, are about a foot long in size, with black, gray, or brown fur.
  • Rats leave behind greasy trails when scurrying along. They also leave a musty, unpleasant odor.
  • Rats are braver than mice and won’t go near the family pet. They also tend to avoid traps homeowners put out for them.

Contact PureGuard Pest Solutions

In the end, it doesn’t really matter if you have mice or rats, as they both carry disease and could make your family sick. They also cause lots of damage to residences, so it’s best to remove them as soon as possible. Ask us about rodent control in Nolensville when you contact us today at 615-502-2855.

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Pure Guard Pest Control is a pest exterminator and pest prevention service serving the Nashville, TN area. Specializing in the extermination of indoor and outdoor pests in and around residential and commercial properties.

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