Are Gutter Guards the Solution to YOUR Rodent Problem?
December 4, 2018Winter is a time of Snow, Holidays, and Rats in the Crawlspace!
January 7, 2019Whether you’re hearing the pitter patter of tiny feet, seeing signs of chewing, or smelling something that doesn’t belong in your basement or attic, rodent problems can be destructive and unpleasant. But before you can do something about your rodent problem, it helps to know what kind of animal you’re looking at. Rats, in particular, can be much more difficult to remove from your home than the occasional field mouse. Here are some tips to know what you might have.
Dropping Size
One of the easiest ways to tell if you have mice or rats is to look at the size of droppings you find where they’ve been. Mouse droppings often look like coffee grounds, while rat droppings are long like rice.
Entryway Size
A mouse can get in and out of a hole the size of a nickel- the only part of their body that they can’t condense is their skull. Rats are slightly bigger and need a hole the size of a quarter or larger.
Nest Type
Norway rats will build large burrow colonies beneath foundations and surrounding basements. Mice prefer to be in walls. Black rats prefer attics.
Colony Size
Mice tend to be more solitary, living in small families of 5-12 young. Rats can be in much larger colonies, as they are group nesters. While each rat family has their own individual nest, they share a larger tunnel system.
Why it Matters
Rats can be trickier to get rid of than mice. They can do more damage and be more pervasive than mice. If you have a rat or you suspect you have rats, give us a call. Our Rat Exterminator in Georgia can help you to troubleshoot your rodent problem and stop it from happening again.
