Mice vs. Rats: How to Tell What’s in Your St. Louis Home
Mouse or rat? Learn how to tell them apart. Contact Titan Pest and Wildlife Solutions for a free on-site inspection.
Droppings in the pantry, scratching in the walls, something darting along the baseboard. Before you can fix a rodent problem, it helps to know which rodent you have, because mice and rats behave differently and need different treatment.
We had a huge moth infestation that was traced to a pile of rolled up rugs in the basement. The team from Titan was fantastic. They treated the rugs twice, and sorted those that could be salvaged from those that could not. The team was careful, efficient, and very responsive to questions. They solved the problem.
Dennis was at the house right on time! He was very knowledgeable and thorough. Answered all of my questions…and even toe rated our badly dog without issue! I would definitely recommend him and the company!
I had a dead animal under my front stoop. J was able to respond to my call the first thing next day. He found the animal cleared the void out and disinfected the area. J is very professional and a genuine nice guy. He would be the one that I call next time.
After meeting Brandyn, and talking with him about an uninvited guest (racoon) in my attic...I was convinced that I made right call. Brandyn was very personable and patient. He answered all of my questions and concerns thoroughly with a very pleasant and professional demeanor. Brandyn came out to the house as much needed to help put my mind at ease and ensure the problem was solved. Titan Pest Solution overall was a pleasure to do business with. I would definitely highly recommend.
Brandyn and his team came out within 12 hours of calling to help us with an insect issue. Brandyn diagnosed the problem and went into details on why the issue occurred. He is extremely knowledgeable in his field of expertise and goes the extra mile to help his clients understand any and all bug, insect, and wildlife concerns in the areas around the house.
He returned later in the week to start the first part of the treatment plan. Titan Pest and Wildlfie is a great company and affordable company. I would highly recommend them
Reasonable price
Brandyn has been an incredible help from the start! I had reached out with a concern of Birds in my vents and they were cleared out and had caps added within 48 hours. It’s refreshing to work with people who are responsive and do a great job!
Dennis came this afternoon and was very professional. He was very thorough and friendly. He answered all my questions and concerns. He sprayed in areas that definitely needed attention. He also explained to me about my garbage disposal and drain and treated those areas. I always feel confident after you all come out to treat my place that the bugs will not come back.
Response from the owner:Hi, Staci. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us!
Brandyn and Rusty were amazing! Super professional, on time, explained everything to me and how they would treat and fix the problems. We are super happy with everything from Titan and very glad after having other pest services that we chose them! Thank you!
We had birds in our vent and called Titan Pest Control and Wildlife Solutions for a free consultation. They removed two birds nest from the vents, disinfected the two vents and installed three vent covers over the three exhaust vents. They also treated a wasp nest for free! They were quick, professional and affordable! We decided to move forward with them for our monthly pest service!
I had a great experience with Titan Pest Control! They came out quickly and took care of a raccoon issue that had been causing us a lot of stress. The technician was professional, knowledgeable, and explained the process every step of the way. They made sure the animal was removed safely and gave us peace of mind.
I will say that the service was pricier than I expected, but the quality of the work, responsiveness, and professionalism made it worth the investment. If you’re dealing with a wildlife issue and want reliable service, I’d definitely recommend Titan Pest Control. They turned a stressful situation into a smooth experience.
Brandon did an excellent job at one one of our properties this morning. He was extremely courteous and knowledgeable with us (over the phone) and our tenants (in person). Definitely recommend!
J. K. had a very positive attitude on arrive and was very professional and clean cut. He was very very knowledgeable of our termite problem and offered helpful advice. I will definitely call him and use this service again!
We have had Titan for pest control for a couple of years now and they do a great job. Dennis has been to our house the last few times and he is so polite and kind. He checks in to let us know he's here so we can be sure our pups are out of harm's way while the spray does it's thing. He also makes sure to see if we want the inside and outside done. He's thorough and we appreciate his professionalism. Thanks Dennis and Titan!
Size and Appearance
St. Louis homes see both house mice and Norway rats, and at a glance in a dark basement they can be hard to tell apart. The evidence they leave behind is much easier to read. Size, droppings, sounds, and damage all point clearly to one or the other, and identifying the right rodent is the first step toward getting rid of it.
Much larger body, about 7 to 9 inches, plus a thick, scaly tail
Small ears, blunt snout
Brown or gray, heavier and slower-looking than a mouse
Check the Droppings
Droppings are the most reliable clue, since you will usually find them before you ever see the animal. Mouse droppings are about a quarter inch long, shaped like grains of rice with pointed ends, and often scattered in cabinets, drawers, and along baseboards. Rat droppings are noticeably larger, half to three-quarters of an inch, capsule-shaped with blunt ends, and tend to appear in concentrated spots such as basements, garages, and crawl spaces.
Quick rule of thumb: the size of a grain of rice with pointed ends means mice. The size of a raisin with blunt ends means rats. When in doubt, leave the droppings in place and let our inspector read them, since location and freshness tell us a lot too.
Sounds and Behavior
Mice are curious and light on their feet. They explore new objects, travel through walls and ceilings, and make faint scratching or skittering sounds at night. Rats are heavier and far more cautious. You may hear a duller, weightier scurrying, often from lower levels like basements and crawl spaces, and rats will avoid new objects in their path for days, which is one reason DIY traps often sit untouched.
Hearing heavy thumping or daytime noise overhead? That is often a squirrel or raccoon rather than a rodent. Because we handle pest control and wildlife removal under one roof, the same inspection covers both, so you never need a second company.
Gnaw Marks and Entry Points
Mice can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime and leave small, clean gnaw marks on food packaging and baseboards. Rats need a hole closer to the size of a quarter, and their chewing is rougher and more destructive. Rats can gnaw through wood, plastic, and even soft metals, so larger, ragged holes and heavier structural damage usually point to rats.
Why the Difference Matters
Mice and rats require different trap types, placement strategies, and exclusion work, since the entry points that let a mouse in are not the same size as those a rat needs. Rats’ wariness also means an approach that works on mice can fail completely on rats. That is why we identify the rodent first, then treat using proven methods applied per label directions. We serve St. Louis and surrounding communities, including South County areas such as Sappington and Concord.
What to expect when you call: a free on-site inspection to confirm what you are dealing with and where it is getting in, a clear estimate, then a treatment plan that removes the rodents inside and seals the entry points behind them. Call (314) 720-8857 to get on the schedule.
Contact Titan Pest and Wildlife Solutions Today
Not sure what is scratching in your walls? We will find out. Schedule your free on-site inspection today and get a clear plan to fix it. Locally owned, licensed, and insured, with pest control and wildlife removal under one roof.
