Cook County, Oak Forest Rat Control Situation:
I saw your article about rats and you said to email with questions. We can hear rats in our walls and have seen some in other areas of the home. It is an older model mobile home that was previously rented and not taken care of well. We have tried to remodel but need to know if it is possible to solve this problem first or should we begin looking elsewhere.
Last night, I read your site and it is pretty good how to catch the mouse. I am scared to see or catch the mouse in the basement. I try to set up all sticky pad and snap trap with dry shrimps today. I hope it will be killed the mouse. Can you help me how to rid it of the basement? I don't know where the mouse came in the basement, how come? That is very grossed when the mouse runs around in the basement. Sometimes, I can't find it or it gone then later it comes back. WTF! (sighing)
I own a restaurant in south Chicago near Orland Park that is maintained, exterminated, clean etc.... As you describe it is the entry of the building that is allowing us to be infested. We are part of a building that is very old and I have had pest control, supposed rat exterminators come out and bill me and now my problem is worse than ever! I am in Orland Park and am asking before I lay out another grand if you can help guide me to selecting a company that will address my serious problem. I know the building has to be sealed so I know that is the first step. Any advice is so appreciated. I really liked your website for its information, as well.
Oak Forest Rat Control Tip of The Week
Can Rats Kill Mice?
Before providing an answer to this question, first of all, you need to be able to differentiate between a rat and mouse. As you must already know, they are both rodents and are quite identical. Without precisely knowing the differences between these two rodents, it will be quite difficult to know how they relate with each other and if rats do kill mice or it's just another myth.
To help you understand this in the best possible way, we will be taking a look at some of the qualities possessed by both rodents. After which we will address the main topic which is whether rats are capable of killing mice or not.
Rats
Rats are medium sized rodents with sizes bigger than that of mice. They have long tails and are very active compared to mice. The most common household rat is the black rat and this particular specie of rat is bigger than mice and also very active.
Mice
On the other hand, mice are smaller rodents with a pointed snout and small round eyes. These rodents have uniform traits; hence they often tend to look very identical. They are very docile when compared to their rat counterparts.
Having shared all these, by now you should categorically be able to differentiate between rats and mice. Coming back to the question above, the fact is rats are capable of killing mice. This habit is only exhibited when rats are faced with starvation and the only option left is to kill and feed on them.
Also, a change in environmental conditions can trigger their hunting senses and make them kill mice. Apart from any of these conditions, rats killing mice doesn't usually occur. You might have rats and mice in your home at the same time causing a nuisance.