How Can I Tell If I Have Rats or Mice?

You don't need to see a rodent to know one may be inside. They tend to leave evidence behind.

Look for droppings

Droppings are one of the most common clues. Don't handle them with bare hands or sweep contaminated material in a way that sends dust into the air. Follow appropriate public-health cleanup guidance.

Look for gnawing

Rodents gnaw on many materials, including food packaging, boxes, wood, and stored items. Damaged wiring adds a separate safety concern.

Listen at night

Scratching or movement inside walls, ceilings, or cabinets suggests an animal is active, though the sound alone doesn't tell you whether it's a mouse or a rat.

Check food storage

Look for torn packaging, spilled food, or evidence that stored food has been disturbed, and discard anything that may have been contaminated.

Look for nesting material

Shredded paper, insulation, fabric, and other soft materials can all end up in a nest.

Mouse or rat?

Dropping size, tracks, damage, and the locations being used can help with identification. If you aren't sure, don't guess from a single clue.

When should you get help?

Professional help becomes more useful when:

• Evidence continues after trapping or exclusion efforts.
• Rodents are active in several areas.
• You can't find the entry points.
• Wiring or building materials are damaged.
• The infestation appears established.

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