Popular opinion and old wives tales may have people believing that there is a big difference between a cute little house mouse and a dirty city rat. Rats are often associated with sewers, trash and repulsiveness while mice, although a nuisance, aren't thought of as quite so dirty. In fact, these tiny little pests can actually look quite similar, especially during the early stages of life.
According to Rat Behavior, the term "mouse" and "rat" are actually not even scientific classifications and both pests are filed under the rodent category. There are many different species of rodents called rats, just as there are many different species of rodents called mice. Rats can be black rats, naked mole rats, Norway rats, wood rats and pack rats and they may not be related to each other at all. When it comes to mice there are house mice, deer mice, field mice, dormice, smoky mice and many more. The most common domestic pests within these species are Norway rats, black rats and house mice.
The similarities are the most similar between baby rats and adult mice. As infant rats, these pests may actually look very much like the mouse. However, there are several tell-tale signs. According to Live Science, mice have large ears, pointed noses and a tail that is typically longer than their body. Contrary to what many may think, the tail of a rat is actually shorter than it's body, according to Rat Behavior. Mice are often very tiny and never usually larger than the size of a potato. In relation to the head, and in comparison to those of the mouse, rats have slightly smaller ears.
Both rodents are nocturnal, spending most of the day sleeping. Live Science reported that mice live in almost every country, and make habitats in forests, grasslands and man-made structures. Mice will eat just about anything if food is hard to find, but they prefer seeds, grains and fruit. If they are especially challenged in finding food, they have been even known to eat each other. The brown rat and the house rat rely on human food sources and are known to kill poultry, eat grains and destroy stored foods, according to Britannica. They have also been linked to the spread of up to 40 different diseases.
Despite the differences, both the rat and the mouse can stir up a great deal of trouble in your home.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
