Most rodent problems involve one of three common rodent pests... house mice, Norway
rats or roof rats. While they are all rodents, each has its own unique physical characteristics and behavior. Therefore, the first step in addressing a rodent problem is to correctly identify the pest species you are dealing with.
 
  The house mouse is easy to recognize, generally 5-7 inches in length and gray in color. It is a nibbler. Inquisitive though it stays close to its nest. Mice typically make their nests from string, shredded paper or straw. Its food preferences include seeds, cereals, grains, and sweets.
 
  The Norway rat is a large rodent, usually 13 to18 inches in length, weighing 12-16 ounces with reddish brown fur. Be careful not to mistake a juvenile rat for a mouse. It is an agile swimmer and good climber, using its whiskers to navigate. Norway rats typically nest in burrows. With its powerful front teeth, a Norway rat can gnaw through wood, electrical cables, pipes and other objects. It is very suspicious of anything new in its environment.
 
  The black roof rat is smaller, weighing between 6-9 ounces, and predominantly lives along the West Coast and in the southeastern United States. Smaller than a Norway rat, the roof rat is distinguished by large, almost hairless ears. Its slender tail is longer than its head and body combined. Unlike the burrowing Norway rat, the roof rat likes to nest in attics and upper floors of buildings, as well as aboveground in trees and tangled vines.
 
Rodents are generally more active at night, making a visual identification difficult. The next best alternative for identification is examining their droppings (feces). Rat droppings area about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in length; mouse droppings are 1/4 inch. Compare droppings from your problem area with those shown on the right. This should provide a definitive identification.  
            MOUSE                 RAT
 
Other key indicators of activity include hair and gnaw marks and nests. Look for signs of activity in dark shadowy areas where rodents travel.
 
Once you are confident you know your pest species, go to the Tips & Strategies section for practical advice on products, placement and general do's and don'ts.