rat/mouse droppings..how can u tell ?

[tatu]

ive been round looking at few houses to rent,ive really liked one and its lovely inside, but the thing is i think there is mice or rat droppings around sides of skirting ,like small black thin bits.about 2-5 millimetres long..i am terrified of vermin.we have a small house dog so maybe rats wouldnt come inside a house if they smelt a dog ? or would they ? the dog would certainly kill them..

[Velvetee]

Having seen both Mouse and Rat droppings, what you've described sounds like Mice. Rat Droppings are considerably bigger about 1-2 cms long.

If you live in a city like London, it will be difficult to find a property, particulalrly the older ones, that don't have Mice. They live between the walls and under the floorboards.

I kept my flat spotless, but still found droppings behind the fridge and in ground level cupboards. I even found some in my bed once. I agree it was a terrifying thing and I just got the Pest Control people to come in and lay poison everywhere.

They tend to then just go back to their nests and die, however, I did find one lying dead between the bath and toilet. It was horrible having to dispose of it's body,which was still soft.

Mice can get through gaps the width of a pencil, so you would need to seal every gap in the whole property. Rat's tend not to come in the house, unless you have a broken breeze block in the wall, which will allow them entry.

[Lil O'lady]

Rat droppings look more like a small olive stone - you know, the hard bit in the middle of an olive.....
Don't be terrified of vermin. They are simple opportunists and if you keep the gaps plugged, and keep your place clean, they'll stay away from where you are living.
They never go away completely. Mice and rats are always near humans. A cat or ratter-dog is a always good idea but in problem areas where rats are big and well-fed they will take on a small dog. I assume this does not describe your home though!