Over the years we’ve blogged about mice and rats – a lot! Most recently we’ve answered common questions about mice and how COVID-19 is affecting the rat population in New Jersey. We’ve also created thorough pest identification pages for the rodents of the Garden state. What we’ve not discussed, or at least not in depth, is the differences between mice and rats. So today and in light of the fact that property owners across the state are encountering both types of rodents more frequently, we’re focusing on that topic. We hope our readers find this helpful!
By definition and according to the Merriam-Webster website, rodents are any order of relatively small gnawing mammals that have in both jaws a single pair of incisors with a chisel-shaped edge. Mice, rats, hamsters, and guinea pigs are more commonly known types of rodents but this order also include beavers, squirrels, and voles. Though they look similar, moles are not rodents.
Now that we’ve covered what is a rodent and what is not, let’s zero in on two of New Jersey’s most obnoxious, destructive and disease spreading rodents – the house mouse and the Norway rat!
Sure, they’re both rodents and operate in a similar manner but we must be clear, they are different.
First off, let’s compare size. The award for the longest and heaviest rodent of the two goes to the Norway rat. This critter on average grows up to 16 inches in length including its tail. That’s twice the length of the house mouse who measures in at approximately eight inches from top of head to the end of tail. As for weight, the Norway rat tips the scale at eight ounces while mice barely squeak out an ounce (no pun intended).
Aside from their marked size difference, the house mouse and the Norway rat have individual looks that help tell them apart.
If you’re a mom of boys or just have friends whose sense of humor is sophomoric at best, you can be sure most conversations include potty talk. While we like to avoid the discussion of number two as often as possible, it’s imperative to note the difference in the size and amounts of rodent droppings between our two subjects.
For homes and businesses in Elizabeth, Parsippany-Troy Hills, and East Orange or elsewhere in our pest control company’s service area, Arrow Pest Control offers effective rodent control services.
When you contact us for help getting rid of mice, rats or both, we’ll send out a highly trained and licensed pest control professional to inspect your property. Our inspection will cover both the interior and exterior of the structure as well as surrounding property to identify the rodent(s), evaluate the severity of the infestation, and find any conditions that are conducive to rodents.
Based on our assessment, we’ll outline a plan of action that includes elements of population control, rodent exclusion, and monitoring; explain how much our rodent control costs, and then get to work upon your approval!
We also offer home pest control plans that include protection against rodents!
Service consists of the elimination of your current pest or rodent problem, complemented by both interior and exterior year-round protection of your home, which is inclusive of three seasonal visits. The program covers your entire property including attics, mailboxes, playsets, sheds, and fences.
Pests targeted with Arrow’s Home Protection Plan services include ants (excluding carpenter ants, pharaoh ants and acrobatic), bees, boxelder bugs, carpenter bees, carpet beetles, centipedes, cicada killers, clover mites, crickets, digger bees, earwigs, fabric & paper pests, fleas (inside only), ground beetles, hornets, mice, pillbugs, millipedes, rats, roaches, silverfish, sowbugs, spiders, springtails, stored product pests, and wasps.