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Residential & Commercial Rodent (mice/rats) Extermination and Prevention
Toronto's diverse urban landscape presents unique challenges for homeowners and businesses. Rodents like mice and rats are a common nuisance known for their ability to quickly infest properties, cause significant structural damage, and pose serious human health risks. At Guard More Pest Control, we strive to offer professional, effective, and humane rodent extermination services tailored to every rodent situation.
Last Updated: September 1, 2025
What are Mice and Rats?
Mice are small rodents. The most well-known species is the common house mouse (Mus musculus), which has a pointed snout, large rounded ears, and a long, scaly tail. Mice are a very successful group of mammals due to their high breeding rate and ability to live in many different environments, often in close proximity to humans. Like rats, they are also used extensively in scientific research and are popular as pets.
Rats are medium-sized, long-tailed rodents that are part of the genus Rattus. There are many different species of rats though the two most common are the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus). Rats are highly adaptable and are found on almost every continent. They are known for their intelligence, social behavior, and their ability to reproduce quickly. While they are often considered pests due to their potential to spread disease and cause damage. Rats are also used in scientific research.
What are differences between rats and mice?
The main differences between rats and mice can be seen in their size, physical appearance, and behavior.
Size: Rats and mice differ greatly in their weight and size. Rats are significantly larger and heavier than mice. Rats can grow up to a maximum weight of 1-2 pounds (16-32 ounces) and 20-25 centimeters in length. Mice are much smaller with a maximum weight of 90 grams (3 ounces) and 7.5-10 centimeters in length.
Physical Features: Rats have a more blunt snout, smaller ears, and eyes relative to their head size. Rats have thick, hairless, and scaly tails. Mice have a pointed snout, larger ears and eyes relative to their head size, and a thin, hairy tail. Their droppings also differ - rat droppings are larger/sausage-shaped and mouse droppings are small and pointed, similar to grains of rice.
Behavior: Rats are generally more cautious and hesitant to approach new objects. While mice are more curious and will readily explore new things making them easier to trap. Rats are also more likely to burrow, while mice are more prone to climbing and nesting in elevated areas like attics or walls.
What are the Signs of a Rodent Infestation?
Here are the most common signs of a rodent infestation:
1. Droppings and Urine
- Droppings: Rats and mice droppings differ in size. Rat droppings are 7 - 19 mm (0.7 to 1.9 centimeters) in length and Mouse droppings are similar to a grain of rice typically 4 - 7 mm (0.4 to 0.7 centimeters) in length. Fresh droppings are moist and shiny, while old ones are dry and hard. Look for them in hidden areas, such as behind appliances, in cabinets, drawers, and along baseboards.
- Urine: A strong, stale, and musky odor (similar to ammonia) can indicate a large infestation. Rodents frequently urinate and the smell becomes more pungent as the infestation grows.
2. Gnaw Marks
- Rodents' teeth never stop growing, so they constantly chew to keep them at a manageable length.
- Look for gnaw marks on food packaging, furniture, wires, plastic, and wood. Fresh marks are lighter in color and become darker with age.
- Gnawed holes in walls and floors (commonly seen on baseboards) can be entry points for rodents.
3. Rodent Nests
- Rodents build nests in secluded and undisturbed warm areas. Common locations include attics, basements, wall cavities, and behind appliances.
- Nests are made from shredded materials like paper, cardboard, fabric, insulation, and dried plant matter.
4. Noises
- Since rodents are nocturnal, you are most likely to hear them at night.
- Listen for scratching, scurrying, and squeaking sounds coming from inside walls, ceilings, and under floors.
5. Tracks and Runways
- Rodents tend to travel along the same routes creating so called "runways." These paths are often along-side walls, fences, and pipes.
- You might see tiny footprints and tail drag marks if the space is dusty or wet.
- Oily and dark smudges known as "rub marks" could be found along walls and baseboards where the rodents' greasy fur brushes on the surfaces.
6. Sightings
- Seeing a live rodent during the day is a strong indication of a significant infestation. A single sighting means there are likely many more in hiding.
What are the Risks and Concerns of a Rodent Infestation?
A rodent infestation can pose significant risks to human health, property, and even your mental well-being. To a business, rodent infestations can cause significant damage to the brand resulting in potential loss customers and boycotts impacting long-term customer acquisition efforts. These risks arise from the direct presence of rodents, their waste, and the parasites they may carry.
1. Health Risks
Rodents are known carriers of over 10 bacterial, parasitic, and viral diseases according to the CDC. These diseases can spread in several ways:
Direct Contact:
-Bites and Scratches: A bite or scratch from a rodent can transmit diseases like Salmonella. In 2021, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued a Public Health Notice regarding Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to snakes and rodents. (Source: Public Health Agency of Canada 2021 Public Health Notice Salmonella outbreak linked to snakes and rodents)
- Contaminated Food and Water: Rodents often contaminate food and water with their urine, feces, and hair. Ingesting contaminated food or water can lead to illnesses like Salmonella, Listeriosis, and Leptospirosis.
Indirect Contact:
- Inhaling Contaminated Dust: As their droppings and urine dry, the risk is that they can become airborne. Breathing in this dust is a primary way to contract serious diseases like Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a rare potentially fatal respiratory disease to humans.
- Parasites: Rodents can carry fleas, ticks, and mites that can infest a home and transmit diseases to both humans and pets. These include Lyme disease from ticks and Murine Typhus from infected fleas.
Allergies and Asthma: Rodent allergens (dander, urine, and droppings) can become airborne and trigger allergic reactions or asthma symptoms especially in children and sensitive individuals.
2. Property Damage
Rodents have continuously growing incisors that they must gnaw on to wear down. This behavior leads to extensive and costly damage to property.
- Structural Property Damage: Rodents can chew through a wide range of materials including wood, insulation, plastic, drywall, and even soft metals. This can compromise the structural integrity of a building leading to closure for expensive repair costs.
- Electrical Fires: A major concern is their habit of gnawing on electrical wires. This can cause short circuits and in rare cases, leading to house fires. In 2021, a family in Australia loss their house from a fire caused by rats gnawing through electrical wiring. (source: The Independent 2021 Family’s home burns down after rodents chew through wires)
- Contamination and Soiling: Rodents constantly urinate and defecate contaminating surfaces, food storage areas, and personal belongings. They can destroy insulation, furniture, and personal items by shredding them for nesting material. As mentioned earlier under Structural Property Damage, rats can gnaw through a wide range of materials.
- HVAC Systems: Rodents can tear up insulation and chew through air ducts resulting in significant repair costs and reduced HVAC unit energy efficiency.
3. Psychological and Social Concerns
A rodent infestation can have a significant psychological toll on the people living or operating in the affected space.
- Stress and Anxiety: The constant presence of rodents (example - sounds of scratching and scurrying) can lead to persistent worry, disturbed sleep, and feelings of unease
- Phobias: For some individuals, the infestation can trigger an intense fear of rodents, known as musophobia, which can manifest in severe anxiety and panic attacks.
- Helplessness/Embarassment: The feeling of being unable to control the situation can lead to a sense of helplessness, frustration, and embarassment.