Mouse & Rat Articles

Learn how to identify mice and rats, use rodent control products, and build strategies to keep these pests out of your home.

HOW TO IDENTIFY RODENTS

There are three main types of rodents. Knowing which one you have is the first step to getting rid of them.

You might think all rodents are equal nuisances, but it's important to understand them individually because different types of rodents require different methods of control. To effectively rid these creatures from your home or landscape, you must be able to identify them. By knowing their habits you'll know what kind of rodent you're dealing with, where to place your traps, and how to best control them.

The 3 Common Rodents Found in Homes

House mice are the most common, generally moving in packs; if you see one, there are likely many more.

Norway rats are common invaders of homes, and can actually gnaw through lead pipes.

Roof rats, also known as black rats or ship rats, are outstanding climbers. They enjoy nesting in attics, roofs, and even treetops.

House Mouse (Mus musculus): A Small Humble Pest

House mouse on a deck.
Among the most common types of home invaders is the house mouse. Small and humble, this little critter seldom works to unnerve us alone. The common adage is that if you see one mouse, there are likely many more that you cannot see. The house mouse is typically either black or dusty gray in color and likes to nibble ferociously, especially on food in the pantry or treats left out on tables. Fortunately, house mice can be controlled with products like Tomcat® snap traps, glue traps, and bait stations.

Here are the characteristics of mice:

Color: Black or dusty gray
Weight: 0.75 oz.
Length (from head to tail): 6 to 7 inches
Body: Small head and body
Able to Breed: 1 month old
Gestation Period: 19 days
Litter Size: 5 to 6
Annual Number of Litters: 8, on average
Feeding Preferences: Nibbler
Diet: Grains, meat, fish
Daily Food Requirements: 1/10 oz.
Daily Water Requirements: 1/20 oz. of water
Life Span: 15 to 18 months
Droppings: Approximately ¼” long and resemble black grains of rice
Nests: Dark secluded areas that are within 10 to 30 ft. of food and water
Habitat: All parts of the U.S.

TIP: A family of 6 mice can grow to 50-60 mice in only 90 days!

Norway Rat: The Common Sewer Rat

House mouse by bricks.
The Norway rat is commonly known as the brown rat, wharf rat, and sewer rat. This rodent is a common invader of homes, and can actually gnaw through lead pipes. If your home ever suffers an infestation of these pests, you can control them using Tomcat® rat snap traps and other rodent control solutions.

Here are the characteristics of Norway rats:

Color: Brown to brownish red
Weight: Approximately 15 oz.
Length (from head to tail): 12 to 18 inches
Body: Stocky with a blunt head and short ears
Able to breed: 2 to 3 months
Gestation Period: 23 days
Litter Size: 6 to 12
Annual Number of Litters: 4 to 7, on average
Feeding Preferences: Steady nibbler
Diet: Just about anything
Daily Food Requirements: 1 oz.
Daily Water Requirements: 1 oz.
Life Span: 18 months
Droppings: Black with blunt ends, measuring about ½” to ¾” long
Nests: Approximately 100 ft. from food and water in ground burrows, sewers, or beneath houses and other structures
Habitat: All parts of the U.S.

Roof Rats: Likely to Nest in the Attic

Gray rat by metal wall.
Also known as black rats or ship rats, roof rats are outstanding climbers. Whereas the Norway rat prefers its subterranean abodes, the roof rat enjoys nesting in attics, roofs, and even treetops. To catch roof rats and other rat species, place Tomcat® mechanical traps within 100 feet of the rats' suspected nest.

Here are the characteristics of roof rats:

Color: Black or dark gray
Weight: Approximately 8 oz.
Length (from head to tail): 13 to 17 inches
Body: Lanky and thin with a pointed nose, long tail and large ears
Able to Bred: 2 to 3 months
Gestation Period: 22 days
Litter Size: 6 to 8
Annual Number of Litters: 4 to 6 on average
Feeding Preferences: Steady nibbler
Diet: Just about anything
Daily Food Requirements: 1 oz.
Daily Water Requirements: 1 oz.
Life Span: 18 months
Droppings: Black with pointed ends, measuring about ½” long
Nests: Approximately 300 ft. from food and water in rooftops, attics, or trees
Habitat: Coastal areas of Washington, Oregon, California, and the Southeast

Knowing these types of rodents can help you identify the type of pest that's plaguing your home. Once you identify them, you can employ rodent control products designed specifically for them.