The Difference Between Mice & Wood Rats

The most common house-infesting rodents in Phoenix are mice and wood rats. While these two pests have many similarities, there are important differences you should understand if you want to keep them out of your home and mitigate the risks associated with them. Let’s take a look!

What are mice? 

A mouse is a small and slender rodent, typically between 2 ½ to 3 ¾ inches. That length does not include its long, thin tail, which is about the same length as the body. Its nose is pointed, and it has large rounded ears and small black eyes. Most mice that get into homes are either gray or brown, with light-colored bellies.

Mice are known for their agility. They are expert climbers—able to scale trees and exterior wall surfaces alike. They’re also great jumpers. Mice can leap up to 13 inches. These two traits allow them to access high entry points.

Along with their agility, mice are malleable. A full-grown mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime. If a hole is smaller than a dime, it can use its strong teeth and claws to make it larger.    

Why are mice in Phoenix drawn to homes? You might think that they’re looking for an easy meal, but they primarily come inside to find protection from the extreme desert temperatures and all of the many predators in our region. It is only a bonus that our homes provide food and water.

What are wood rats?

Wood rats, also known as pack rats, have brown fur and white underbellies. Like all rats, they are larger than mice. A typical wood rat is between 6 and 8 inches with a thick tail that can add 5 to 6 more inches. Unlike the tail of a mouse, a wood rat’s tail is noticeably hairy. Here are three more visual features that will help you identify a wood rat if you see one.

• Its nose is blunt.
• Its ears are small.
• Its black eyes are large.

Like mice, wood rats are also known for something, but it isn’t their agility. Their claim to fame is that they like to steal things and “pack” them away in their nests, which is how they got the pack rat name. Shiny trinkets are particularly interesting to these hoarders. 

The differences between mice and wood rats

As you consider what to do about mice or wood rats, it is helpful to understand what distinguishes these two rodents.

• Size
  Wood rats are larger animals. That means they’ll require larger gaps and holes if they hope to get into your home. They’ll also create larger holes as they go in and out of interior wall voids.
• Nesting
  Mice want to live as close to food as possible, often creating their nests in the wall voids of pantries or kitchens. Wood rats tend to live in attic spaces and go in and out to acquire food.
• Droppings
  Mice produce droppings that are a little smaller than grains of rice and are typically pointed on each end. Wood rat droppings are larger than grains of rice, cylindrical, and pointed or slightly curved on the ends.

Why prompt rodent control is essential

Both of these rodents are hazardous to have in your home.

• They can cause damage as they enter—and as they attempt to gain access to food.
• They can damage stored items as they collect nesting materials or use them as a location to establish a nest.
• They get into the trash, pick up harmful microorganisms, and spread these invisible germs to the surfaces they touch.
• They contaminate infested areas with their droppings and urine.
• They bring ticks and fleas into your home, which are vectors for many harmful diseases.
• They chew on wires and will pose a serious fire hazard.

Mice and wood rats present many issues when they gain access to Phoenix homes. If you detect warning signs of an infestation, contact Titan Pest Control for rodent control services. We offer trapping, baiting, monitoring, and more. 

How our rodent control services can help

We provide comprehensive rodent control solutions for mice and wood rats. Our methods are humane, effective, and customized to meet the challenges unique to each home we treat. Our treatment strategies consider the unique habits and behaviors of each species and address rodent problems completely. When we’re done, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that no rodents remain in your home.

Ongoing home pest control 

You don’t have to wait until you have a mouse or wood rat infestation. You can start protecting your home right now. Our ongoing home pest control services protect Phoenix-metro homes from a long list of pests, including mice and wood rats. You’re in good hands with our SMART monitoring system. There is never any need for you to contact us about rodent activity because Anticimex SMART tracks rodent activity and notifies us when activity is detected or when rodents are caught.

The Desert Guard advantage

Anticimex SMART isn’t the only reason to choose Titan Pest Control for rodent protection. We offer Desert Guard, a specialized integrated pest management service tailored for desert climates, where unique environmental conditions create habitats for a range of pests, including scorpions, spiders, ants, and rodents. Desert Guard offers extremely effective desert pest control that is eco-friendly and family-safe.

Take action today! 

Whether you’re struggling with mice or wood rats right now, or you’re hoping to prevent a future problem, now is the time to get started. Contact us to learn how our solutions can help you get the specific protection you need for your property.