Is it a Squirrel, a Rat or a Mouse? Here’s How to Tell

Spring is a time when rodents can definitely find their way into homes with places to enter. How we deal with them, however, depends on the type of rodent you have and their habits. Here are a few clues we look for:

Location: Are the animals going into your kitchen and pantry to find food? This makes it more likely to be a mouse or a rat. Squirrels get a lot of their food outside and bring it back to their nesting site. Rats, particularly Norway Rats, are more likely to make a home low in your house, squirrels like attics, and mice can choose either or even the walls.

Droppings: The size and shape of droppings can be used to ID the kind of animal you have.

Time of Day: Are they making noise at night or during the day?

Noise: What do you hear? Chewing, running, squeaks, and the number and size of animal it sounds like can all give us clues.

Other Clues: What does the area look like where they are living? How messy is the area where they got in? What food scraps or nesting materials are being used?

The more information we have when you call us, the quicker we can tell you the right species and prescribe the right treatment. Want to know more? Contact us today.