It's just a fact -- rats are vastly more difficult to effectively get rid of than mice. Rats can, for example, eat the lure from a mouse trap without triggering it (and even if it does go off, a mouse trap usually doesn't strike with enough force to cause a fatal blow).
Rats are larger and can be more aggressive. If they feel threatened, they may even bite. Because of their size, a single rat can cause more damage to a home than a single mouse. However, mice are more prolific than rats and multiply quickly.
Mice are decidedly more independent than rats. They require less handling and attention and are a good option if you prefer watching your animals to playing with them. Although mice don't enjoy the human touch as much as rats, they still need to be handled daily so as to keep them tame and check on their health.
(GIRL POWER!) If you're looking for a close "I really love you" kind of relationship, a mouse may not be the best option if you're on the fence between a mouse and a rat. Of course, mice can be handled and should be. But they're probably not going to be as affectionate or responsive as your rattie rat would likely be.
Behavior – Mice are extremely curious by nature, which usually makes them easier to trap than rats. If you don't begin to capture mice within a day or two of setting a mouse trap, try moving the trap to a different location.
Rats are more aggressive than mice and pose more of a risk for biting. Mice are afraid of rats because rats will kill and eat them; in fact, you can use rat odor to help deter mice. Rats and mice both carry rodent-borne diseases that can be serious or even fatal to humans.
If a trap is found sprung but with no rat caught, you can be sure you will never catch it with a trap again. Bait for Norway rats should be small pieces of hot dogs, bacon or other prepared meats secured tightly to the trigger. Baits must be replaced every day or so to keep them fresh. Peanut butter also works well.
Handling: Rats are easier to handle and show less stress when being handled by humans. They can also be trained to hold still for some procedures, eliminating the need for anesthesia. Mice are more prone to stress from repeated handling and are more likely to need sedation (mouse anesthesia) for procedures.
Although they are not typically dangerous, house mice can damage appliances, furniture, and even cause electrical fires when they gnaw through wires. They often get into your house to seek shelter from outdoor conditions.
Both mice and rats are also highly social animals. They become attached to each other, love their own families, and easily bond with their human guardians—returning as much affection as is given to them.
And because they're herd animals, guinea pigs like to be around their owners and don't mind other guinea pig “roommates.” Their need for social interaction makes them ideal ESAs for people who want an engaged animal. Guinea Pigs are affectionate and cuddly, making them the top emotional support rodent.
If handled gently, gerbils are unlikely to bite, explains Hoppes. They have few health problems and are the cleanest of all the commonly kept pet rodents.
Smell Rating
Mice and hamsters, on the other hand, are the smelliest. They pee often, and their urine has a strong, unpleasant odor.
Having a pet mouse is quite low maintenance as they are quiet and they don't take up a lot of space. They need to be kept in same-sex pairs (preferably littermates) as they are very social and it can be quite entertaining watching them play with one another. Paired females tend to get on better than paired males.
Though both are omnivorous rodents, rats have a well-documented tendency to kill and eat mice. Scientists already knew that mice avoid rat urine, a typical prey strategy.
Rats are incredibly hardy animals who have never shown any problem adjusting to change. Usually that change is the introduction of a new poison, as humans constantly work harder and harder to exterminate these animals. But perhaps no other animal resists such attempts better than the rat.
House mice are considered dangerous and destructive pests. Because they carry and transmit viruses, bacteria and other diseases, mice are considered to be troublesome pests.
There are two main things that can attract mice and rats to your house – food and shelter. If you don't tidy up properly and there's food waste on the floor or surfaces, rodents are going to love it! Rats and mice also need shelter, particularly during winter to avoid the worst of the cold.
Rats are Harder to Control
It's just a fact -- rats are vastly more difficult to effectively get rid of than mice. Rats can, for example, eat the lure from a mouse trap without triggering it (and even if it does go off, a mouse trap usually doesn't strike with enough force to cause a fatal blow).
Mice Facts
Mice are afraid of rats, because rats will kill and eat mice. Rat odor can be a strong deterrent to mice and affect their behavior.
They also contaminate stored foods with their droppings and urine. Rodents cause structural damage to buildings by their gnawing and nest building activities. They may chew up wiring and cause short circuits or even fires. Upholstery, insulation, and newspapers may be shredded for nesting material.
Rodents in the Lab
Mice were long thought to be less intelligent than rats, but recent research is proving this assumption to be incorrect. In fact, studies are indicating that mice have many of the same decision-making abilities as rats.
Mice learn to avoid traps
Mice are smarter than humans give them credit for. Only travelling in familiar places, with one side of their bodies against a wall. And avoiding open spaces. This behaviour helps them stay alive by avoiding traps.
Rats are neophobic, meaning they are afraid of anything new and unfamiliar in their environment and this includes traps. If it's been a few weeks and you're aren't having any luck with your trap, you might need to give it more time. Rats may avoid traps for some time until they feel familiar enough with them.