Let’s face it — when it comes to pests, many of us like to play WebPMP (Web Pest Management Professional). You search online, read forums, maybe even try a DIY “hack,” and suddenly you think you’ve got it all figured out. But the truth is, there’s a lot of misinformation about rodents out there.
Before you toss peanut butter on glue boards or brace for a “rat apocalypse,” here’s a reality check on some of the most common rodent myths and misconceptions.
Myth: Mice and rats have no bones, so they can squeeze anywhere.
Fact: Mice and rats do have bones — they’re just incredibly flexible. Their muscular, bendable bodies let them slip through spaces the size of a dime, making them effective at hiding, breeding, and staying out of sight.
Myth: Rats can grow as big as a household cat, especially in cities.
Fact: While rats can reach impressive sizes, they don’t grow to 10 lbs. That’s cat territory—rats typically max out far below that.
Myth: Adding peanut butter to glue traps catches more rodents.
Fact: Actually, peanut butter can weaken glue boards’ stickiness. It’s better suited as bait for snap traps rather than sticky traps.
Myth: There’s one rat for every person in an urban city.
Fact: Rodent populations aren’t determined by human population—they grow wherever conditions are ideal for food, water, and shelter.
Myth: Catching one rat solves a rat problem.
Fact: Rats reproduce fast — up to 5 litters a year with about 14 pups each. Catching one rat is like putting a single drop in a bucket. Proper inspections and a full control plan are key to preventing infestations.
Myth: Rodents only infest dirty homes.
Fact: Rodents prefer fresh food and clean spaces, but they’ll settle anywhere if conditions are right. Even the cleanest homes can become targets if food, water, or shelter is available and easy to get to.
Myth: Rats and mice are never active during the day.
Fact: Rodents are adaptable. If conditions are right, they can be active and breed at any time, day or night, especially in urban environments.
Myth: Mice don’t have bladders and urinate constantly.
Fact: They do have bladders, but their frequent urination is actually a form of communication, marking territory rather than a biological flaw.
Myth: Mice will turn into rats, so you should poison everything immediately.
Fact: Rats and mice are separate species with different behaviors. Effective control starts with inspections and a tailored, integrated treatment plan — not throwing poison everywhere and hoping for the best.
Myth: Rats are always aggressive.
Fact: Rats are typically shy and avoid confrontation. They may act aggressive if cornered, but usually, they’ll retreat to a safe burrow instead.
Rodent control isn’t just about catching a few mice — it’s about long-term prevention and protecting your home, family, or business. Thomas Pest Services has been serving the Capital Region and surrounding areas in Upstate New York with third-generation experience in pest management.
Our licensed team provides:
Rodents may be small, but their impact is serious. Don’t wait until scratching in the walls or pantry droppings appear — get ahead of the problem with the experts. We’ll do a full rodent audit — no cost, no pressure — to map out an exclusion and treatment plan just for you.