Is It a Mouse or a Rat?

You hear scratching behind a wall. You discover droppings in the garage. Something has chewed into a package in the pantry.

The next question is usually: Do I have mice or rats?

Both can enter properties looking for food, water, and shelter, but there are important differences between mice and rats. Identifying which rodent you're dealing with can help determine where to inspect and what action to take.

1. Mice Are Generally Smaller

One of the easiest differences to recognize, if you actually see the animal, is size.

House mice have relatively small bodies with pointed snouts and proportionally large ears. Rats are considerably larger and more robust.

Unfortunately, homeowners often find evidence long before they see the animal itself.

That's when you need to look for other clues.

2. Compare the Droppings

Droppings are among the most common signs of rodent activity.

Mouse droppings tend to be small and narrow. Rat droppings are considerably larger.

Rather than handling them, note their approximate size, shape, and location.

Health Canada advises homeowners not to sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings, because disturbing contaminated material can create airborne dust. Use appropriate wet-cleaning and disinfection procedures instead.

3. Look at the Damage

Both mice and rats gnaw.

Inspect food packages, storage containers and areas around the home's structure.

Larger damage may suggest a larger rodent, but damage alone isn't always enough for a reliable identification.

More important is identifying where the activity is occurring and how the animal may be entering.

4. Listen to Where the Noise Is Coming From

Rodents may travel through concealed areas of a building.

Scratching, rustling or scampering sounds can occur behind walls, above ceilings and around storage spaces.

Repeated sounds in the same location can help narrow your inspection.

5. Look for Entry Points

Finding out whether you have a mouse or rat matters.

Finding out how it got inside matters even more.

Mice can fit through remarkably small openings. Health Canada says mice can squeeze through cracks approximately the size of a dime.

Inspect the exterior around:

• foundations
• utility lines
• pipes
• doors
• garage doors
• windows
• vents
• soffits
• siding transitions

Don't dismiss a gap simply because it looks too small.

Mice vs. Rats: Quick Comparison

Why Identification Matters

Rodent control shouldn't be based solely on placing a trap where you happened to see activity.

You want to understand:

What rodent is present? Where is it travelling? What is attracting it? Where is it getting in?

Those answers help create a more comprehensive solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are rats just large mice?
No. Although both are rodents, mice and rats are different animals with different physical characteristics and behaviours.

Which is more common in Ottawa homes?
Both mice and rats occur in Ottawa. The type of property, surrounding environment, available food and shelter, and access points can influence which rodents are present.

Can mice and rats both get into garages?
Yes. Garages can offer shelter, stored food, garbage and numerous potential entry points.

Should I worry if I only find one dropping?
One suspected dropping isn't enough to determine the extent of a problem. Inspect the surrounding area for additional evidence.

Can a professional identify whether I have mice or rats?
A rodent inspection can assess physical evidence, activity and potential entry areas to help determine what you're dealing with.

Stop Rodents Before They Get Inside

Whether you're dealing with mice or rats, simply addressing the rodent you see may not address the pressure around your home.

Mosquito.Buzz Ottawa offers a proactive four-visit Rodent Protection Program for $375.

Protect Your Home From Rodents — Get 4 Visits for $375

Mosquito.Buzz Ottawa | 613-231-2899 | mosquito.buzz/ottawa

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