Have you ever wondered about the differences between mice and rats living in NJ? Let me tell you, I can’t count how many frantic midnight calls I’ve received from customers. Whether they’re working, studying for an exam, or finishing a project late at night, the first sign of trouble usually starts with the sound of gnawing around the stove or under the cabinets. Or perhaps, while sitting at the kitchen table trying to relax, they spot something scurrying across the kitchen or living room. One of the most amusing stories I heard recently was about a man who traveled to visit relatives for the holidays. When he returned home, he was shocked to find a rat walking down the stairs from the bedroom to the living room. Needless to say, he didn’t waste any time running out of his house when he saw that rat!
Mouse vs Rats: Size Makes a Big Difference!
The thing is, when we’re talking about mice vs rats in a calm, controlled setting, it’s easy to point out that they’re both rodents, with rats generally being larger than mice. However, when you see one scurrying into your kitchen or living room, it’s a whole different story. In that moment, you’re speechless, overwhelmed with fear, and have no energy left to think— all you want to do is run as far away as possible from your house.
Rats VS Mice in New Jersey
New Jersey is well-known for its Norway rat, also called the sewer rat. These rats are typically brown or gray in color and can grow to be 7-9 inches long. The underside of Norway rats tends to be lighter, with white or light gray coloration. They are generally heavy and round in shape, with small ears, poor vision, and small eyes. Their tail is shorter than their body length. Norway rats typically invade lower levels of buildings, such as crawl spaces and basements.
Though, I wouldn’t be entirely shocked to find them in attics as well. Norway rats can cause fires by gnawing through wiring, and their tendency to contaminate food with excrement and urine is well documented. They can also spread a variety of diseases.
Roof rats can also be found in New Jersey, although they are relatively uncommon, likely having arrived by truck from other states. These rats are typically black or dark brown with lighter undersides and can grow to be 6-8 inches long. Roof rats are long and slender with large eyes and ears and pointed noses. They earned their name because they prefer to live in attics and elevated structures. Roof rats are well-known for spreading illness. In fact, when the bubonic plague (also known as the “Black Death”) swept through Europe in ancient times, it was widely believed that the disease was spread by roof rats.
The house mouse is very common in New Jersey. The body of a house mouse is about 2 inches long, excluding the tail, and 5.5 to 7 inches with the tail. House mice can be easily distinguished from other rodents by their small size, long tails, and large ears. Their fur is typically greyish or brownish in color, and their ears and long tail are covered in fur.
House mice are known to transmit fleas and ticks indoors and can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, including children.
The deer mouse gets its name from its deer-like fur, which is greyish-brown with a white underbelly and feet. An average adult weighs around an ounce and is about 3 inches long. The white-footed mouse is very similar to the deer mouse, except that it has larger hind legs. Both white-footed and deer mice are known to carry Hantavirus, a dangerous disease spread through rodent waste. Lyme disease is also known to be transmitted by white-footed mice.
Mouse VS Rats: Life Spam and Reproduction
In the wild, most mice live no longer than 12-18 months, while most rats can live up to 2 years. Despite some differences, rats and mice share relatively similar breeding cycles and reproductive patterns. For rats, females reach sexual maturity between 8 and 10 weeks, while males mature between 10 and 12 weeks. In mice, males reach maturity at 6-8 weeks, and females mature around 4-6 weeks.
Mice can begin reproducing as early as four weeks of age. Each mouse can produce up to 6 offspring per litter, with females having between 5 and 10 litters annually. Because mice can breed year-round, a small infestation can quickly grow into a large one. Rats can have up to 12 pups per litter and also mature sexually quickly, contributing to their rapid population growth.
Mouse VS Rats: Behaviors
Both rats and mice are nocturnal rodents, rarely seen in broad daylight unless their population is overwhelming a particular area. While both are rodents, there are significant behavioral differences between the two. Despite being smaller, mice tend to be bolder than rats. Mice are naturally inquisitive and will often explore new objects, including traps. Dealing with a rat, however, requires more than just a baited trap. Rats are much more cautious around unfamiliar objects and don’t explore as readily as mice. They tend to approach new items more slowly due to their natural wariness, which can sometimes make trapping them more challenging.
Mouse VS Rats: Droppings
Mice excrement is little, smooth, and pointy on the ends, They look like black rice. Whereasrat excrement is shiny black and 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long. It looks like an olive pit.
Let Environmina Pest Control Help You With Expert Rodent Extermination Services
At Environmina, we believe in collaborating closely with our customers to tackle rodent issues effectively. While we take charge of the extermination process, we also guide you in implementing key strategies to prevent future infestations. This includes removing food sources, securing water supplies, and eliminating potential hiding spots for rodents. Simple steps like covering trash, clearing exterior debris, and trimming leaves can make a significant difference.
Rodent infestations can be managed through a variety of methods, including electronic devices, traps, pesticides, eco-friendly options, and contraceptives. If you’ve tried to handle the problem yourself but haven’t had success, it’s a good idea to call in a professional pest control service. We also offer exclusion services at an affordable rate to professionally seal any entry points around your home.
Contact Environmina Pest Control if you’re dealing with rats, mice, or other pests. We’ll not only eliminate the current infestation but also work with you to set up defenses to prevent future issues. Visit our Rodent Control page to learn more.
Have questions? Give us a call and we’ll walk you through it.
