Oh, Rats! 5 Tell-Tale Signs of A Rodent Infestation

Here you are: you’ve tried everything possible to keep pests away from your property and suddenly, you see an errant rodent dropping by the front door. Or you’ve already got the house exterminated once by a top rated pest control service, and you’re starting to hear squeaking sounds come from the walls. Don’t panic! Rodents can sometimes come back to a property and make a nest. It might take one or two extermination attempts to get rid of them once and for all. Here are some signs that show you have a rodent infestation in the house.

#1: You See Droppings

The number one sign of a rodent infestation is frequent droppings. Usually, fresh droppings are moist and pretty dark. When they’re older, they look gray and crumble if you step on them. You’re likely to find these disgusting deposits near food packages, cupboards, under the sink or in other nooks and crannies. If you spot a gathering of droppings clustered in one area, this is where the rodents’ nest is. Keep checking this area to spot the rodent and figure out what kind of pests you have in your home.

#2: You See Gnaw Marks

Rodents love to gnaw and chew on things around the house. Contrary to the droppings, gnaw marks grow darker with time. If you happen to spot frequent light gnaw marks on tables, food packages, cupboards, and other places, you have an infestation. On the other hand, if you only see them once or twice and they’re darker, it’s more likely that a rodent visited but then left.

#3: You Smell Them

If you have a rodent infestation, you will smell them immediately. This is true especially if you stray close to their nests because rats and mice give off a distinct stale smell. If you have pets, they will immediately be able to pick this out. If your cat or dog keeps returning to one hidden spot in the house, you should check for an infestation straight away!

#4: You See Tracks

Rodents often leave tracks or runways when they’re moving around the house. These can look like anything from dust trails to urine drops to lines of droppings that trail throughout the house. If you have a permanent infestation, you will find these tracks or runways quite easily. Just take a flashlight and check around the house, especially around your refrigerator or any food cupboards you have.

#5: You Hear Them

Rodents are often social animals and they tend to make sounds as they run on by. You might hear distinctive squeaks and sounds coming from around the house as these animals make their trips to scavenge food. Be on the lookout for any small noises, especially squeaks or shrill sounding calls. If you do hear frequent sounds, you should know that you have an infestation. You can also place your ear next to a wall and listen to them. If they have built a nest inside the wall, you’ll be able to hear them making sounds and moving about.