When you have a rodent infestation, it’s important to figure out if you have a rat or a mouse infestation. There are two ways to do this. One, you see one of the rodents out in the open, but this is a rare occurrence. Two, you spot their droppings somewhere in your home. The second detection method is much more common, and in this article, we’re going to help you tell the two species apart by their droppings.
What do mouse droppings look like?
Mouse and rat droppings are quite similar, but you can tell the two apart primarily by their size. Rat droppings are about the size of a grain of rice, while mouse droppings are much tinier. In terms of color, they are generally black, and they will be grouped up together in areas where the mice will be most active. This means that if you want to find an infestation, you will have to investigate in your cupboards, behind your furniture, and inside clutter if you have any in your home.
Other signs of a mouse infestation in the home
Droppings are not the only sign that you have a mouse infestation, although they are the most common. You can keep an eye out for other things, such as gnaw marks. Mice will chew on a lot of objects and materials in the home, the gnaw marks they leave behind are easy to recognize. You may also hear the mice, usually at night, when everything quiet’s down. Mice are nocturnal when they enter the home, and they can make a lot of noise as they scurry and squeak in the walls.
Getting rid of mice
Getting rid of mice can be more difficult than it seems at first. In theory, setting up traps and placing poisons around the home is not such a big deal. However, if the control methods are not set up and primed properly, you will not have a lot of success. You may also run into the problem of not killing the entire infestation, and leaving just enough mice behind to repopulate and reinfest the home.
As such, the best way to deal with a mouse infestation is with the help of a pro. For more information on how to identify a mouse infestation, or if you need professional help in order to remove one, contact us today.
