Mouse or rat ? any way to easily tell the difference ?

mikedublin

Hi, I am just wondering would anyone know what ways to know the difference between rats and mice ? I was woken up by something rustling in my bed-room and when I turned on the light saw something very fast with a tail running for cover and going under the bed. I didn't get a good look at it just that it was brown and furry and very fast. It had been eating a packet of cream crackers I had (foolishly) left open on the floor. I got a couple of humane (non-injuring) mousetraps, and the next night it came back and ate the cream crackers I put in them. I then blocked up any cracks in the floorboards and it hasn't been back since.

But I am wondering if it might have been a rat or a mouse, and if it does come back what I should try and look out for to know the difference ?

Mickeroo

Well if you got a look at it a rat is significantly bigger than a mouse.

Markcheese

Big R on a rats pyjamas

mecksimay

The size of the droppings are what you need to look out for, see http://www.guardianpestcontrol.co.uk/the_house_mouse.html for details. If you are setting traps peanut butter works a treat!

Kess73

Mickeroo wrote: »

Well if you got a look at it a rat is significantly bigger than a mouse.

Yep there is a huge difference in size. Rats in Ireland are generally between 12 and 20 inches long (including tail) whereas a mouse would be usually be about a third of that length. The mouse is also far smaller in terms of body mass/weight, and generally would be about ten times lighter than a rat.


If what you saw was small and fast, my money is on it having been a mouse, because a rat at fairly close quarters tends to look quite big if one is not used to seeing them.

mikedublin

Thanks for the information. Yes it was a very small creature - maybe 3 or 4 inches. So I'm hoping it was a mouse. I'm quite happy having a mouse in the house, but a rat would be a different story.

tricky D

mikedublin wrote: »

I'm quite happy having a mouse in the house, but a rat would be a different story.

You shouldn't be happy about mice indoors. They leave a trail of urine and faeces wherever they go, which can cause some very nasty infections.

Nevermind the damage they can do by chewing electric wiring.

dodderangler

Get a ferret or a loan of one and you'll find out what it was
Mice may look cute and innocent but if you want to save money get rid of them
The damage they'd do to wiring and carpets, curtains, dry wall and the smell is rotten
If you suspect them behind the wall turn off the heating and run your hand along the wall
As you run it along the wall if its goes from cold to warm in certain area the warm part is where the nest is

cuddlycavies

Yep! Just pop next door! ''Excuse me mate, do you mind if I borrow your ferret?''

recedite

Lots of blokes keep a ferret in their trousers, all you have to do is ask.

feargale

Get a cat

allthedoyles

When I was a chap , used to easily kill mice with a sweeping brush , cos they along by the wall .

You won't kill a rat so easy .

magicbastarder

how to spot a rat:

kylith

tricky D wrote: »

You shouldn't be happy about mice indoors. They leave a trail of urine and faeces wherever they go, which can cause some very nasty infections.

Nevermind the damage they can do by chewing electric wiring.

+1

They spread various diseases, contaminate food and work surfaces, can cause fires, and there's never just one mouse.