What's the difference between rat and mouse?

We get this one a lot, and it isn't the easiest thing to figure out, especially when everyone is jumping on top of the table in fear of the little thing running across the floor. 

Good news is that it is way more afraid of you than you are of it. You usually have nothing to fear, but it could be a sign of bad issues hiding in plain sight.

Here is a quick run down on the difference between a mouse and a rat.

Image result for 6 week baby rat

Baby Rats

The baby rat that you think might be a mouse is usually around 6 weeks old and just finished weaning from the mother.

Since they are finished weaning and just beginning to explore on their own, it doesn't always mean you have a big issue. It could be just the one. A simple trap will usually do the trick in this situation.

Appearance

When trying to notice rat-like features:

Image result for adult mouse

Mice

A mouse in this situation would be a fully-grown, adult mouse. They are around the same size as baby rats, but have different features that make them stand out.

Some features you should look for to identify mice:

That's all there is to it! Most of the time, it won't really matter which you have. You'll probably give us a call either way. 

There can be some difference also in the level of infestation. Rats tend to be solo predators and scavengers, while mice tend to live in larger groups and breed more quickly. 

Issues with mice can get out of hand more quickly and have a better chance of signaling a larger problem behind the walls or just outside the home or business.

Either way, we can handle it. Get in touch with us today if you are in the NYC or NJ areas. We will be happy to get rid of them for you!

Until next time.

Annihilator Extermination Staten Island
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New York City is no longer the bed bug capital of the United States

As reported by Fox News Health this month, New York City is no longer the bed bug capital of the country! Due in part to the work the fine exterminators at Annihilator eX-Termination and other pest control providers have done over the past 10 years, there are now several cities ahead of New York City in the top 50 list for bed bug treatments per year.

For the first time ever, Baltimore is leading the list.

We all know bed bugs and have heard the horror stories. These little blood-sucking pests can come into your home in many different ways, attaching themselves to luggage or people to travel from one place to another is most common.

And believe it or not, they don't only infest unsanitary homes. The cleanest, most well-kept home is at risk just as much.

Though there is a new city now topping the list, it doesn't mean that the bed bug problem in America has become any less severe. Even though these bugs were virtually unheard of as little as 10 years ago, there are more people in the United States effected today than ever before. There are many cities on the list that have never appeared there before. Cities like Las Vagas, Portland, and Salt Lake City.

List of cities in the US ranked by bed bug treatments per year:

1. Baltimore (+9)

2. Washington, D.C. (+1)

3. Chicago (-2)

4. New York

5. Columbus, Ohio

6. Los Angeles (-4)

7. Detroit

8. Cincinnati

9. Philadelphia (-3)

10. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose (+4)

11. Richmond-Petersburg, Va. (-2)

12. Raleigh-Durham, N.C. (-1)

13. Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Ohio (-1)

14. Indianapolis (+1)

15. Dallas-Ft. Worth (-2)

16. Atlanta (+3)

17. Houston

18. Buffalo, N.Y. (+2)

19. Charlotte, N.C. (-3)

20. Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, Va. (+10)

21. Knoxville, Tenn. (+3)

22. Denver (-4)

23. Nashville, Tenn. (-1)

24. Pittsburgh (+5)

25. Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.-Asheville, N.C. (-4)

26. Phoenix (-3)

27. Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich. (+5)

28. Boston (-3)

29. Milwaukee (-3)

30. Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Ill. (+12)

31. Hartford-New Haven, Conn. (+3)

32. Dayton, Ohio (-4)

33. Omaha, Neb. (+3)

34. Seattle-Tacoma (-6)

35. Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. (-4)

36. Charleston-Huntington, W.Va. (-1)

37. St. Louis (+3)

38. Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Dubuque, Iowa (+3)

39. Myrtle Beach-Florence, S.C. (+11)

40. Syracuse, N.Y. (+6)

41. Louisville, Ky. (-2)

42. Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.

43. Lexington, Ky. (-10)

44. Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Fla. (-6)

45. Kansas City, Mo. (-1)

46. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (-3)

47. Salt Lake City, Utah

48. Honolulu, Hawaii

49. Las Vegas

50. Portland, Ore