10/16/2026
🐭🐀 NOT SO FUN FACT FRIDAY — MICE & RATS
That scratching in the wall could mean more than a lost night’s sleep. Rodents can contaminate food, damage property, and expose people to harmful germs.
🔎 MOUSE OR RAT?
• House mice have small, slender bodies, pointed noses, and relatively large ears.
• Adult rats are much larger. A young rat can resemble a mouse, but its head and feet often look oversized for its body.
• Size alone doesn’t tell the whole story—identifying the animal helps determine the right approach.
🌙 WHAT ARE THEIR HABITS?
Both are mostly active at night, so you may notice evidence before seeing the animal.
Mice nibble frequently and often nest close to food, using shredded paper or other soft materials. With steady food and shelter, they can reproduce year-round.
Rats tend to be cautious around unfamiliar objects. Norway rats commonly burrow near ground level, while roof rats are skilled climbers that may nest overhead.
⚠️ HOW HARMFUL CAN THEY BE?
Their chewing can damage wiring, wood, insulation, and food packaging. Damaged electrical wiring can create a fire hazard. Their urine and droppings can contaminate food and surfaces, and infected rodents can spread disease.
🏠 SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
• Droppings in cabinets, drawers, or storage areas
• Gnawed food packages or fresh chewing damage
• Scratching or movement after dark
• Shredded nesting material
• Rub marks along travel routes or burrows near the building
A clean home or business can still have rodents. Food, shelter, and an entry point may be all they need.
🧤 CLEANUP CAUTION
Don’t sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings. That can stir contaminated particles into the air. Follow CDC guidance for safe disinfecting and cleanup.
Small signs deserve attention before they become bigger problems.
📞 Call or message Ward’s Pest Control: 918-348-9177
Serving Muskogee and surrounding communities.
