As cute and cuddly as rats and mice might appear, a rodent infestation in your home is nothing to take lightly. Apart from being a hazard to your health, rodents can also cause structural damage to your home.
While rats and mice look quite similar and can create the same hazards, they are very different. Here are a few ways in which mice and rats differ:
Identifying Mice In Your Las Vegas Home
Mice are typically smaller than rats. However, like rats, they can cause significant damage in your home if left unchecked. Here are characteristics common to the house mouse:
- House mice measure approximately 12 to 20 cm in length.
- They may be white, gray, or brown in color.
- Their snouts are triangular and their whiskers are long.
- Mice have large floppy ears and long, thin, hairy tails.
Identifying Rats
Rats are larger than mice, but like their rodent cousins, they are prolific breeders and will quickly become a problem if you don’t act. The first step to elimination is identifying that there is a rat issue:
- Rats are medium-sized to large rodents and measure 40 cm or more.
- Their coats are similar to mice but can include the color black and are often dirty enough to leave grease marks on surfaces.
- The snout of a rat is blunter than that of a mouse.
- Rat tails are long, hairless, and often scaly.
Despite your ability to identify rats and mice, you may not actually see them scurrying through your home. Rather, if you have a problem, you will notice droppings throughout your home, and you may hear them moving through your walls at night.
Dangers of Rodents
If you spot a rat or a mouse, there are likely many more hidden that you’re not seeing. Here are a few reasons why rodents infestations should be a cause for concern:
- Rodents carry over 35 different types of disease.
- They can carry parasites.
- Their feces can cause respiratory issues.
- They can gnaw through anything from electrical wire to pipes in your walls.
As a result of all of the hazards associated with rodents, understanding the signs of a rodent infestation is crucial to protecting your home and your family. If you start to see the following signs, it’s time to think about a professional plan for rodent control.
- Rod-shaped droppings littered on floors and countertops.
- Gnaw marks.
- Sudden urine odors.
- Scratching or scampering noises, especially at night.
- Holes resulting from excessive chewing.
You can attempt to eradicate a rodent infestation on your own, but traps and bait will only get you so far. Not to mention these methods can be dangerous for pets and children. Getting help from the Las Vegas pest experts at Anver Pest Control is the best way to ensure that your home is rodent-free. Our trained and licensed technicians have years of experience and use plant-based, eco-friendly methods to keep your home and family safe. Contact us today for a free inspection.