Rats and mice have always posed a major threat to homeowners. And while figuring out the best ways on how to get rid of rats in the house fast is undoubtedly important, detecting signs of rat or mice infestation early is a great way to deal with the problem before it gets worse. Now, this is easier said than done as rats and mice are quite wily. It’s actually rather hard to spot them until it’s too late and they have fully taken over your home.
This is why we thought it would be useful to put together a list of common signs of an infestation. If this is something that you want to know more about, read on for five common signs of infestation that you have to watch out for.
Droppings
Rat and mice droppings are usually the first things people spot during the start of infestations. Droppings are usually found in areas that are usually out of sight such as cupboards, under sinks, and drawers. If you spot an influx in droppings, the rats or mice may be nesting or feeding which indicate a full-blown infestation.
Gnaw Marks
Rats and mice tend to gnaw on random things in your house. You’ll usually encounter gnaw marks when you’re cleaning your home. You can even figure out how old the gnaw marks are by examining their colour. If the gnaw marks start light and get darker as they age. If you find dark gnaw marks, then it may be a sign that rats and mice have started to settle into your home.
Foul Odor
Rodent urine has a distinct foul odour that is rather easy to spot. If you notice an unpleasant smell in your home and can’t find the source, then this may be a sign of an infestation. Dogs are especially sensitive to this smell and may actually be able to spot where the rodents dwell. If you notice your dog pawing at certain areas in your home, it may be a sign that the rodents have settled in that area.
Rodent Tracks
While rodents are sneaky, they do leave tracks behind. These are rather difficult to spot and may require you to shine a flashlight on some of the more hidden areas in your home. Once you find where the rats and mice run through, you’ll be able to spot even more signs of their presence such as urine stains and smudge marks.
Rat’s Nests
If you find scraps such as shredded paper, fabric, and dried plants all lumped together in one area then you may have just stumbled upon a rat’s nest. These nests shouldn’t be too far away from where you’ve spotted the droppings and the tracks. If you’ve found a nest then it’s safe to assume that rats and mice have settled into your home.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you spot signs of rat and mice infestation early. While infestations are quite troublesome, you can nip the problem in the bud by watching out for these key signs. If you do spot signs of infestation, it would be in your best interest to call in the professionals as soon as possible.
If you’re looking for the best pest control near you, then you’ve come to the right place. Hero Pest Control in Melbourne, Victoria offers a range of affordable pest control services including spiders pest control, ants pest control, rat pest control, mice extermination, cockroach control, flea control, beetle control, flies pest control, rodent removal and other general pest control services. For more information on our services, check out our website today!
