The key details to knowing how to control each type of rodent.
Noticing scratching in the walls, chewed food packaging, or droppings around your home? You’re likely dealing with rodents — but is it a mouse or a rat?
While they may seem similar at a glance, house mice and rats are two very different pests. Knowing which one you’re dealing with is crucial, as each requires a different control strategy.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between mice and rats — from how they look and behave to the most effective ways to get rid of them.
Whether you’re in Calgary, Surrey, or East Toronto, recognizing the right rodent is the first step to reclaiming your space.
Physical Differences: Mice vs. Rats
- Size: 2.5–4 inches long (excluding tail)
- Fur: Light brown to gray
- Tail: Long, thin, and slightly hairy
- Ears: Large in proportion to the head
- Head: Small and triangular
- Size: 7–9 inches long (excluding tail)
- Fur: Coarse, dark brown or gray
- Tail: Thick, scaly, and shorter than body length (Norway) or longer (Roof rats)
- Ears: Small relative to head
- Head: Blunt snout, larger body
➡️ Pro Tip: If the droppings are small and pointy, it’s likely mice. If they’re larger and capsule-shaped, it’s rats.
Behavioral Differences
Understanding how each rodent behaves helps determine the best control approach.
Mice:
- Curious and will explore new objects (great for trap placement)
- Build nests with shredded paper or insulation
- Often found indoors year-round
- Prefer grains and sweet foods
Rats:
- Cautious and suspicious of new items
- Nest in burrows, basements, or attics
- More likely to be seen outdoors or in walls
- Eat nearly anything but prefer proteins and fats
➡️ Rats are more destructive and carry a higher risk of spreading disease. Act fast if you suspect their presence.
Best Control Methods
🐭 Mice: Traps, Baits & Exclusion
- Snap traps & glue traps — Place along baseboards or behind appliances.
- Bait stations — Use small amounts of peanut butter or nesting material.
- Seal entry points — Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime.
- Declutter and clean — Reduce hiding spots and food access.
Avayda Pest Control recommends setting multiple traps in areas where you see droppings, chew marks, or hear scratching sounds.
Want to try some unique traps? Check out some Shawn Woods rodent trap inventions on youtube.
🐀 Rats: Stronger Baits & Professional Help
- Use heavy-duty bait stations — Rats are larger and smarter, so stronger rodenticides and tamper-proof stations are needed.
- Outdoor control — Trim vegetation, seal garbage bins, and eliminate water sources.
- Check for burrows — Common near foundations or under decks.
- Call a professional — Rats are cautious and reproduce quickly; DIY attempts often fail.
At Avayda, we conduct thorough inspections to find nests, seal access points with steel wool and foam, and use regulated bait systems to prevent return infestations.
When to Call a Pest Control Expert
Both mice and rats are unwelcome guests — but they don’t leave quietly. The sooner you identify the rodent and implement the right solution, the better your chances of full elimination.
Here’s when to call Avayda Pest Control:
✅ You see droppings daily
✅ You hear scratching in walls or ceilings
✅ Traps aren’t working
✅ You want a long-term, guaranteed solution
Our trained technicians serve:
- British Columbia: Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Richmond, Coquitlam, Abbotsford, North Vancouver, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton
- Alberta: Calgary, Edmonton
- Ontario: East Toronto
Contact Avayda today for expert rodent control that’s fast, safe, and proven to work.
Avayda Pest Control – Everyone deserves a pest-free home.
Book your rodent treatment plan.
