When you have a rodent infestation in your home or business, how do you know if you are dealing with rats or mice? Both of these rodents can cause a lot of damage on your property, but there are several differences between the species. While they both are joined by the common identifying feature that is their ever-growing incisors, they are different in a number of ways. Because these pests can cause such a headache for homeowners here in the Sevierville TN area, it’s important to know how to tell the difference between rats and mice. The experts at Johnson Pest Control are here to help outline the differences—read on to learn more.
Mice vs. Rats: What to Know
Both of these rodents are ruthless when they infest homes. They can both spread diseases, cause damage, and be a real nuisance to clean up after. Here’s how you can tell if you have rats or mice:
- Mice
- Most mice are only 2–4 inches long.
- Mice typically have larger ears and tails compared to their body size.
- The droppings mice leave behind have pointed ends and are just 1–2 mm long.
- Mice are omnivores but mostly feed on seeds, grains, and fruits.
- They are more prolific: Mice produce 5–10 litters a year with up to 14 mice in each litter.
- Rats
- While they differ between species, rats typically have larger bodies that are about 6–9 inches in size.
- Rats have small, hairy ears and larger feet.
- Their droppings are much bigger than those of mice at 10–20 mm long.
- Rats produce 3–6 litters a year with up to 10 pups in each litter.
- Rats are opportunistic feeders that will eat meats, grains, seeds, and much more.
Need Help Identifying Rats or Mice?
Dangers of Rodents
Rodent infestations are infamous for being a threat. Both rats and mice alike can carry and spread a number of potentially dangerous diseases. They also can trigger allergies in people. A rodent problem can be a mess to clean up due to the amount of droppings and urine left behind. Lastly, they can cause significant damage to your home. Both mice and rats will chew through insulation, cardboard, wood, and electrical wiring, which can create a fire hazard in your property.
What to Do if You Have Rats or Mice
Both rats and mice will make their presence known if you have an infestation. From foul odors to odd noises in the walls, a rodent infestation has many telltale signs. However, it’s always best to enlist the help of a professional rodent exterminator when dealing with either rats or mice. At Johnson, our experts will identify the type of rodent you are dealing with and come up with year-round plan to keep you pest-free* throughout the year.
Asian ladybugs are commonly mistaken for ladybugs, but these two insects are different! The Asian lady beetle is considered to be a common pest here in Sevierville in the fall. This is because the insects will congregate outside properties on warm sunny afternoons. From there, they have been known to make their way into your home as well as make themselves at home once indoors! They may be found in attics, wall voids, on siding, and are attracted to light. These beetles normally enter homes on the southern and western exposures (sunny side) of structures. The team at Russell’s Pest Control is here to help shed some light on this common autumn pest problem—keep reading to learn more!
Do you notice the same bugs congregating on the side of your Sevierville area home every fall season? You may have a boxelder bug or stink bug problem! Both of these insects are known for a couple of things. One, the foul odor they release when crushed or threatened. And two, their odd behavior of aggregating on the sides of buildings and structures in the fall months. Their populations can grow to large numbers, making the very sight of them worrisome. However, the real trouble is when boxelder bugs or stink bugs crawl their way into your home. While not particularly dangerous, they are a downright nuisance and difficult to get rid of.
Have you noticed more and more spiders in your home recently? As summer comes to an end and the fall begins, spiders are more likely to be inside your property. Spiders typically hatch in the springtime. By the time autumn arrives, they can seem like they are in full force. These eight-legged creatures are drawn inside homes here in Sevierville TN in search of food, water, and shelter. Thankfully, most spiders you encounter in your home are harmless. That said, there are a couple spiders to keep an eye out for this fall. Keep reading for expert insight from the experts at Johnson Pest Control.
Preventing Fall Spiders
If you are spending more time in your backyard than ever this year, you’re likely noticing just how many pests are outdoors! Especially in the late summer months here in Sevierville, insects are out in full-force. Unfortunately, they can quickly put a damper on your outdoor plans. Whether you’re spending time barbecuing outdoors at night, or your kids are playing on a swing set, it’s important to know how to keep pests away from your outdoor living space.
For the most part, cockroaches are common year-round. But if there was a “cockroach season”, it would be the summertime! Especially here in Tennessee, warmer temperatures this time of year draw cockroaches out and into homes. They are attracted to warmth and humidity, which is why they frequent bathrooms or kitchens. This feared pest isn’t just a nuisance–they’re dangerous, too! It’s important to know what you can do to prevent summertime cockroach activity in your Sevierville home or business. Read on for expert info from the cockroach control team at Johnson Pest Control.
Everyone knows that insects are at full-force in the summer. One of the most common summer pests here in the Sevierville area is the wasp! There are several different types of wasps common to the area, and they all build different types of nests. Some wasps are more aggressive than others and can sting repeatedly. This makes it important to learn about the different characteristics of wasp nests. If you notice any of the below wasp nests in or around your yard, always exercise caution. Keep reading for expert tips from the team at Johnson Pest Control on how to identify different types of wasp nests.
Here in Eastern Tennessee, mosquitoes are a fact of life in the summertime. They are active at dawn and dusk, and will gladly take up residence in your yard if given the chance. Female mosquitoes need just a half inch of water to be able to lay their eggs in. This means any container on your property capable of collecting water is likely to invite mosquitoes. Thankfully, you can work to eliminate these common breeding grounds for mosquitoes and, in turn, keep mosquitoes away from your yard!
Most property owners have dealt with ants at one point or another. As the number one nuisance pest in the United States, it’s important to learn what you can do to keep ants away from your home. During the summertime, ant infestations spike in properties throughout the Sevierville TN area. To avoid the frustration of an ant infestation this summer, there are a number of things you can do to keep them from getting indoors in the first place. The team at Johnson Pest Control knows how frustrating these pests can be, which is why our experts are sharing the best ways to prevent ants this summer.