Mice Vs. Rats

Ever wondered what the difference was between mice and rats? Most will state the obvious – rats are bigger than mice. In fact, rats are typically 5 to 10 times bigger than mice. Although they are both rodents and have several similar characteristics like whiskers, poor eyesight, and heightened other senses.

However, these rodents are very different. Mice, for example, are curious and like to explore. Traps are much more effective against mice, rather than against rats, who are much more cautious by nature. If you put out a rat trap at all, a rat will avoid until it becomes familiar with it. Therefore, a good strategy for trapping rats is to place unset traps without bait in their path. Once a rat gets used to it, the rat will begin to treat it as a part of the landscape and will cease ignoring it. That’s when to bait the trap.

The dangers posed by mice and rats are also different. Mice seldom carry disease, but they poop everywhere, and their poop can infect food and other consumables in the home. Rats, on the other hand, can carry several terrible diseases, such as leptospirosis. This disease can cause liver and kidney damage, and you can get it just by cleaning up rat pee and poop. Their bites can spread Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, which is a form of encephalitis. You may also know that bubonic plague is a rat-borne disease.

Remember, even though mice do not typically carry diseases, it’s never a good idea to approach or handle any type of wild rodent. Rodents that are cornered will fight fiercely and may bite. They also reproduce very quickly, so a “couple of rats” can turn into an infestation almost before you know it. Because of the danger of disease, it’s always advisable to engage a professional rodent control company to get rid of them. At Econ-O-Bug, we are able to handle all of your rodent control needs in Columbia SC and the surrounding area.