General Information About Mice

Mice and rats are both considered rodents. Although not very big in comparison to other rodents, mice and rats can be very harmful to a human’s health. The most common rat in the United States is the Norway Rat, and the most common mouse is the House Mouse. They both have very poor eyesight and rely heavily on their sense of smell. Mice and rats will both scurry and rummage through your kitchen and garbage.

It can be difficult to tell the difference from a mouse and rat; one characteristic is that rats are typically larger than mice. Mice are a very social creatures; rats prefer to be alone. Rats leave behind a greasy residue from their paws on everything they touch. A rat’s tail is much longer and thicker than a mouse. Mice and rats are both nocturnal. They like to rummage for food at night. Rats are cautious and want to avoid new things until they get used to them, while mice are very curious and are known to explore and discover.

Mice and rats both eat fruits, nuts and grains. Although sometimes a rat will eat smaller animals or insects, this is not very common because it requires hunting. Rats don’t like to hunt other animals, but they will hunt, kill, and eat mice.

Mice do not like to burrow in the ground. Rats, on the other hand, will dig under buildings, fences and anything else that obstruct their path. Because rats are very cautious, if you are going to lay a trap, first place unset traps in their paths before you place a set trap. Mice are more carefree and will wander right into a trap without knowing.