Brown Rat ‘Rattus Norvegicus’
Statistics
- Length: 19-25 cm
- Tail: 17-25cm
- Weight: 300-500g
- Lifespan: Up to 3 years
Brief
Brown rats will find shelter wherever possible often creating extensive burrow systems. They eat a varied died including insects, small mammals, waste and seeds. The brown rat is a nocturnal creature, often preferring cover over open spaces. Eradication should be a priority as they carry many rodent borne diseases.
Identification
Brown rats are larger than any mouse, have a stocky body covered in coarse brown-grey fur. They have a blunt nose, large bare ears and a long bald tail. Their droppings are on average 2cm in length in a blunt spindle shape and are usually found in groups. The brown rat can leave up to 50 droppings per day.
Breeding
Brown rats can breed throughout the year, producing up to five litters each with up to 14 young. Brown rats can reach sexual maturity within seven weeks.
Location
The brown rat is widespread throughout the UK
Habitats
Brown rats can often be found in towns, cities and villages, gardens, farmland, woodland and grassland, in coastal areas and most commonly in sewerage systems.
House Mouse ‘Mus Musculus’
Statistics
Length: 6.5-9.5cm
Tail: 7-9.5cm
Weight: 11-30g
Lifespan: 12-18 months
Brief
House mice will find shelter wherever possible and are known for causing damage when they search for bedding material, when temperatures drop the house mouse will migrate to warmer places to build nest, which often leads them into properties. They eat a diet mostly of seeds and nuts, but being an opportunistic feeder will eat almost anything available. The house mouse is a nocturnal creature. Eradication should be a priority as they can carry many rodent borne diseases; see our range of pest control products including mouse trap and repellents.
Identification
House mice are considerably smaller than a rat, they are covered in a short brown-grey fur which lightens towards the belly. They have small round ears, a lightly haired tail, small feet and head relative to their body size with large eyes. Their droppings are on average 5mm in length in a rod-shaped spindle, they are often found scattered in multiple locations due to the incontinence of mice. The house mouse can leave up to 150 droppings per day.
Breeding
House mice can breed throughout the year, producing up to eight litters each with up to 16 young. House mice can reach sexual maturity within 12 weeks.
Location
The house mouse is widespread throughout the UK
Habitats
House mice can often be found in towns, cities and villages, gardens, farmland, woodland and grassland and in coastal areas.