Rats are staunch survivalists, being able to make the best out of any environments that they’re in. They are so well adapted, that they are widespread over all the continents of the world, with the exception of Antarctica. One of the factors that play into this success is their diet – rats are omnivorous. They will eat anything, from meats to grains, dairy, fats, and even food that is spoiled. Not only that, but they will also eat their fellow rodents.
Rats and mice
Rats and mice often inhabit the same environments, so when food is scarce, rats will hunt mice down and eat them. They are able to do this because they are much bigger and much more aggressive. However, if the food is plentiful, the two species will live peacefully in the same area.
Mice are not completely defenseless however. They are not very easy to catch, because they are fast, sneaky, and athletic. Studies have been conducted to determine how and when rats hunt mice, and they have found that rats will try to kill the mice in one bite by attacking their head and neck areas. If a bite merely injures the mouse, odds are that it will escape.
Rats will not always eat the mice, which implies that sometimes, the struggle between the two species is of a territorial nature, but when they do eat the mice, they are most interested in the liver, brain and other organs. If the rats are really hungry however, they will eat the entire carcass.
Mice have also evolved to fear rats, and they have developed a fear response whenever they smell the scent of a rat. This means that it is very unlikely that you will have both a mouse and rat infestation at the same time in the home. It’s either one or the other, and determining the species responsible for the infestation is essential to effective control.
If you notice any of the signs of a rodent infestation (droppings, gnaw marks, grease marks, etc.), it’s best that you get in touch with a pest control specialist right away. Dealing with one or two rodents in the home can be done through DIY methods, but it’s essential that you remove the infestation completely, since both mice and rats reproduce very fast. Contact us today if you suspect that you have a rodent infestation and we will set up an inspection appointment.
