Finding gnaw marks, droppings, chewed food, and other signs of rodents in your Pennsylvania or New Jersey home is a normal occurrence, but it is a sign to take immediate action.
Rodents like mice, rats, and voles are incredibly common around the commonwealth. While mice are more common in rural and suburban homes, rats infest dense urban areas, such as Allentown, Scranton, and Hazleton.
The problem many Pennsylvania homeowners encounter is not knowing which type of rodent is causing them problems.
Treating your home for rats versus mice requires different preventative measures and traps, and getting them mixed up could make it more challenging to eliminate these pests.
This guide will help you identify whether you’re dealing with a mouse or a rat problem. We’ll talk through some telltale signs to help you identify one from the other so you can come up with the right pest control plan.
Common Mice and Rats in Pennsylvania
Rats and mice are most active in winter and typically enter homes through gaps in basements or attics. Knowing what they are is your first step in determining which one you’re dealing with.
- House Mouse: The small, agile house mouse is the most common indoor rodent found in Pennsylvania homes. Their small size is key to your treatment plan, and you can easily distinguish them from rats because of it. They have gray fur, large ears, and long tails that are equal to their body length. Because they’re so small, they can easily squeeze through tiny openings and cracks, often nesting in walls near food sources.
- Norway Rat: Norway rats, also known as brown or sewer rats, are another very common pest in Pennsylvania. They’re much larger than mice, with a blunt nose, large ears, and a short tail. These cautious rats typically hide in basements and crawl spaces, making them harder to spot than mice despite their larger size.
- Roof Rat: As the name would suggest, roof rats tend to dwell in higher spaces. These excellent climbers typically enter homes through attics, trees, and vents, often nesting in higher-up areas. They have a sleek appearance, with pointed noses, large ears, and very long tails.
Key Differences Between Rats and Mice
Rats and mice are often mixed up with one another, but they can easily be distinguished by understanding more about their appearance and behaviour.
Physical Differences
The easiest way to tell the difference between rats and mice is by their size. Mice are much smaller, with a body length typically around two to four inches. Rats are typically double their size, if not bigger, with body lengths of around seven to ten inches.
Size plays a direct role in how either rodent enters your home. Mice can squeeze through openings the size of a dime, while rats need an opening the size of a quarter.
Size and Shape of Droppings
Mice and rats are elusive rodents that can be hard to spot. The mess they leave behind can tell you a lot about who you’re dealing with, though. Droppings specifically are the next easiest way to determine which rodent is in your home.
- Mouse droppings: Small (⅛–¼”), pointed ends, pebble-like, often found in clusters.
- Rat droppings: Larger (½–¾”), blunt ends, sausage-shaped, often left individually.
Gnaw Marks and Damage Patterns
All three rodent species also need to chew constantly. The damage they leave behind can be used to identify them.
- Mouse gnaw marks are small and fine.
- Rat gnaw marks are larger, deep, and often more destructive.
Keep in mind that mice generally only chew on wire insulation and wood, while rats will chew through tougher materials, including drywall and metal.
Nesting Materials and Locations
Mice prefer soft materials like paper, insulation, string, and fabric to build their nests. They typically nest in kitchen walls and storage boxes, where they have immediate access to food.
Norway rats prefer burrows outdoors, crawlspaces, foundations, and basements, while roof rats prefer high nesting areas: attics, rafters, and roofs.
Noises and Activity Levels
Mice and rats are nocturnal rodents that have similar habits, and you can expect to hear them rustling, scratching, and gnawing occasionally at night. Mice are more commonly heard in walls, producing light scratching sounds, especially at night.
Rats produce heavier thumping or slow gnawing sounds near nesting locations
Common Entry Points for Each Rodent
There are plenty of access points that allow rats and mice to get into your home. While mice require smaller openings, you can’t rule out rats exploiting cracks and small holes. Their tougher teeth allow them to chew open access points they might not otherwise fit through.
Rodents typically enter through the following areas:
- Gaps under doors (mice and norway rats)
- Foundation cracks (mice and norway rats)
- Attic vents (roof rats)
- Roof openings (roof rats)
- Utility pipe gaps (all three)
- Damaged siding or soffits (all three)
How to Safely Remove Mice and Rats
Dealing with rodents is something many homeowners opt to take on. In cases where just a single rat or mouse is present, this is totally feasible.
To remove rats or mice from your home, take the following steps:
- Seal entry points, such as gaps and cracks in your siding, foundation, and roof
- Store food in airtight containers
- Eliminate water sources by fixing leaks and sealing cracks
- Clean nesting areas and droppings carefully (wear gloves and a mask)
- Use appropriate traps: Small traps for mice, large traps for rats
- Place traps near walls, behind appliances, and near known travel paths.
Remember never to handle droppings or rodents without gloves and respiratory protection, as they can carry disease and spread illnesses.
Do You Need Professional Pest Control for Mice and Rats in PA?
While you don’t always need to call in a professional pest control specialist, there are plenty of situations where you’re better off doing so. Homeowners can safely take care of a small rodent problem themselves. However, when more than one mouse or rat is found, it’s time to consider getting help.
Rats and mice can cause serious damage to homes, and they multiply quickly. Just a pair of mice or rats can turn into dozens within months. Professionals have experience and resources that make it possible to eliminate infestations and stop rodents in their tracks with ease.
FAQs
How can I quickly tell if I have a rat or a mouse?
The difference in size tells you everything. Mice are smaller, faster, quieter, and leave smaller droppings. Rats are larger, louder, and leave larger droppings.
Are rat droppings different from mouse droppings?
Yes. Mice droppings are small and pebble-like, whereas rats’ droppings are larger and more cylindrical.
Do rats cause more damage than mice?
Yes. Rats are larger and can chew through tougher materials, including metal. With time, they can cause structural damage to your home.
Are rats more dangerous to my health than mice?
Yes. Rats are larger, have stronger jaws, and will chew through structural materials. While both carry disease, rats often travel through sewers and other contaminated areas, making them riskier to be around.
Can I use the same traps for rats and mice?
No. Rats are much larger than mice. Traps used for rats must be larger and stronger.
Why are rats harder to catch than mice?
Rats are more cautious than mice. While mice are more curious and will approach traps immediately, rats wait until they’re familiar with them.
