Rat vs. Mouse: Know What’s Invading Your Home Today, Mouse or Rat?

Understanding how these pests behave in your home is critical to controlling them.

Mice Are Agile Explorers

Mice are naturally curious and love to explore. They’ll often climb kitchen cabinets, scurry across counters, and chew through bags of rice or cereal. Mice tend to nest near food and water sources—like under the sink or behind the stove.

Rats Are Cautious and Strong

Rats are more deliberate in their movements. They avoid open spaces, preferring dark, low-traffic areas like crawlspaces, attic corners, and behind appliances. Rats are capable of chewing through plastic bins, wires, and even light concrete.

Signs of a Rat or Mouse Problem in Your Home

Still not sure which pest is hiding in your home? Watch for these rodent infestation signs:

• Scratching noises in walls or ceilings—especially at night
• Droppings near food or trash
• Chew marks on baseboards, food packaging, or wires
• Nesting materials like shredded paper, fabric, or insulation
• Grease marks along walls where they travel repeatedly

If you see any of these, it’s time to act. Here’s what the CDC recommends when facing rodent exposure.

Rat vs Mouse: Why the Distinction Matters

Treating a rat infestation is very different from treating a mouse problem. For example:

• Rats require stronger traps and heavier exclusion methods
• Mice may enter smaller holes and nest in higher locations
• Rats are more likely to cause structural damage
• Both pose health risks, but rats tend to be more aggressive

Health & Home Hazards From Rodents

Whether you’re dealing with rats or mice, the dangers are real. Rodents are known carriers of pathogens and can spread disease through urine, feces, and bites. Common risks include:

• Hantavirus
• Leptospirosis
• Salmonella
• Rat-bite fever

Rodents can also chew through electrical wires, creating fire hazards. Nesting materials and droppings may worsen allergies or asthma, especially in children.

What Homeowners Can Do First

Before you call a pest control professional, there are a few steps you can take to reduce rodent activity, such as ensuring your fruit trees are not attracting rodents:

• Seal entry points: Use steel wool or caulk around pipes, vents, and cracks.
• Store food in airtight containers: Don’t leave pet food out overnight.
• Remove clutter: Rodents love nesting in cardboard boxes, paper bags, and laundry piles.
• Set basic traps: Use snap traps near walls where activity is noticed.

Still, most rodent problems aren’t solved by a few traps—especially when dealing with rats.

When to Call PURCOR Pest Solutions

Rodents are smart, sneaky, and fast breeders. A single mouse can turn into a dozen in a matter of weeks. And rats? They’ll find their way back unless your home is properly sealed and monitored.

PURCOR Pest Solutions offers:

• Full-home rodent inspections
• Identification of rat vs mouse activity
• Safe, humane removal and control methods
• Exclusion strategies to keep rodents out for good

Our trained specialists know what signs to look for and how to tailor treatment based on your unique home setup.

FAQs About Rat vs Mouse Issues

Can rats and mice infest a home at the same time?
Rarely. Rats are dominant and will kill or drive out mice. If both are present, rats will likely take over the area.

What are the best traps for each?
Mice are caught with small snap traps or bait stations. Rats require larger traps and sometimes a combination of baiting and exclusion.

Do rats and mice pose the same health risks?
Both are hazardous, but rats are generally more destructive and pose higher disease risk due to their size and aggression.

What’s the most common entry point?
Gaps around utility lines, garage doors, attic vents, and crawlspace openings are high-risk areas. Mice need just a ¼ inch gap to get in.

Is professional rodent control necessary?
If you’ve seen more than one rodent, or signs of nesting, professional treatment ensures the infestation is resolved—not just reduced.

Schedule Your Local Rodent Inspection Today

Don’t let rats or mice make themselves at home in yours. Whether you’re dealing with the occasional mouse or a full-blown rat infestation, PURCOR Pest Solutions is your trusted local expert.

We’ll inspect your home, identify the pest, and create a targeted plan to get rid of them—and keep them out.

👉 Schedule your rodent inspection with PURCOR today and take the first step toward a pest-free home.