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The Most Effective Rodent Control

Determining what sort of rodent you're dealing with will also help you determine what the most effective rodent control is in your situation. Here are some tips:

Mice or mouse:

• A mouse's nose is generally triangular in shape
• Mice are almost always brown, gray or a blend of brown and gray in color.
• Mouse or mice droppings will be about 1/4" long and both ends will be pinched or pointed.
• Mice will live in and search an area that extends up to 30 feet from it's nest. They will rarely venture further out unless necessary for survival.
• Depending on species, mice will typically live anywhere from 2 to 7 years.

Rats:

• A rat's nose is more round and/or blunt than that of a mouse.
• Rats are often brown, gray or a blend of brown and gray in color. However, some species may also be very dark - even black.
• Rat droppings will be about 3/4" long. One or both ends will be blunt.
• Rats will travel up to 150 feet from their nest.
• Depending on species, rats will typically live anywhere from 1 to 4 years.

Rodents leave their calling cards anywhere and everywhere that they've been. Some of the more common tell-tell signs that rodents are present are:

• Mouse droppings or rat droppings: basically, mice do their business all day every day regardless of where they are or what they're doing. Rats aren't quite as busy, but are not too far behind. You can expect to find plenty of rodent droppings if rodents are present. Look in drawers, closets, attics, in and around food stores, cupboards, in, around or under sinks.
• If you see rodents or rodent droppings, you can bet that a rodent nest of some sort isn't far away. Rodents will line their nests with almost anything that will provide a soft, warm place for them and their offspring. These materials may include shredded paper or cardboard, fabric, leaves, insulation.
• Look extra closely where you store your food. You may find food packaging chewed or even a hole through the packaging, accessing the actual food. If you find this, discard the food.
• Rodents will chew holes into walls, furniture, floors/flooring, etc. They do this mainly for easy access, but may also resource nesting material this way, too.
• If rodents have accessed a hidden area in a wall void or some other safe place for any extended period of time, a musty, stale smell will be present. Sometimes building materials must be removed and replaced to get rid of the smell.

Muskrats are mistaken for rats fairly commonly. Guinea pigs and hamsters may also look like rats, especially if if was just a short, quick glance.