![]() Their droppings are brown pellets, pointed at the ends, and about an eighth-inch to a quarter-inch long. Mice leave much smaller droppings than roof rats. These rodents are usually brown or gray in color, but their fur may be so dark it looks almost black. Their furry tails may add another two to four inches. Adult mice usually grow to about three or four inches in length. House mice are much smaller rodents than roof rats. Roof rats are good climbers, so they often nest in attics or rafters, on top of cabinets, or in other elevated spots. This is especially likely if you find the nest in a high-up place. But if you come across a clump of shredded-up items, it could be from a roof rat’s nest. Since rats and mice usually nest in hidden, interior spaces, such as within wall voids or crawl spaces, you might not ever see their nests. They also might shred up fabric, paper or even fiberglass insulation. They might use natural materials like sticks and leaves. Both rats and mice create nests out of materials they find and shred. Similarly, nesting materials can indicate a rodent nest nearby, but it’s hard to tell what type of rodent without other clues. You might also see these marks on PVC piping. Gnaw marks are often visible on baseboards, cabinets, rafters or other wooden elements of the home, attic or garage. All rats and mice have constantly growing front teeth that require daily gnawing to stay filed down. It’s harder to tell the exact type of rodent you’re dealing with from just these marks, though. Gnaw marks are another sign of rodent activity in and around the home. These pests are food hoarders, so spotting piles of nuts or seeds could be another sign of roof rats living nearby. If you have nut- or fruit-bearing trees in your yard, these could be drawing roof rats to your property. In nature, these rats feed on nuts, seeds and fruits. That means they can eat a wide variety of things, and will feed on whatever they can find. Like lots of rodents, roof rats are opportunistic eaters. These include in the garage or basement, on top of cabinets, or inside a crawl space or a wall void. There are some common places, however, where people typically spot rodent droppings. ![]() You might spot rat poop anywhere in your home where rats spend time. Roof rat poop is dark brown in color and pointed at the ends. Since a roof rat is so much bigger than a mouse, its droppings are also bigger. One of the most common signs of rodent pest activity is their droppings. You’re more likely to see signs of its activity. That means you may never see the pest itself. They’re also scared of humans, and good at staying out of sight. Of course, knowing a rodent’s size only helps you identify it if you actually see the rodent. Its tail adds another six to seven inches! A full-grown roof rat’s body, on the other hand, will be six to eight inches long. A full-grown mouse will grow to just a few inches long, not including the tail. A roof rat, which is pictured above, is about twice as big as a mouse. ![]() The first and most noticeable difference between roof rats and mice is their size. If you spot a rodent that fits this description, you might wonder how to tell if it’s a rat or a mouse. They have pointy faces, and big eyes and ears. Roof rats are brown or black in color, with smooth, scaly tails. Here are some characteristics that can help you determine which type of pest may be infesting your property. How can you tell which pest you’re dealing with?įortunately, there are several key differences between a roof rat and a house mouse. Either way, you’re wondering about signs of a roof rat versus mouse, as these two rodents are common across Central Texas. Maybe all you have to go on is evidence of rodent activity: gnaw marks, scratching sounds inside the walls or little brown pellets that look like rodent poop. Is it a roof rat or a mouse? Even more likely, you haven’t seen the rodent itself, but you suspect it’s nearby. Say you spot a small rodent scurrying along a beam in your garage.
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