Did you know that a rodent problem in your house can lead to disease? While you may see rodents as cute little creatures, you can’t ignore the fact that they can become a health hazard when they invade your home.
If you want to keep yourself and your family safe from harm, you have to handle a rodent issue right away. The only trouble is that you might not know you have rodents until they’ve been there for some time.
How can you spot a rodent situation in your house?
Keep reading as we explore 4 common signs that you’re dealing with a serious rodent problem.
1. Droppings
A clear sign of a rodent issue is if you see droppings or urine trails/pools. Most of the time, you’re most likely to find droppings in places where you might keep human food, like drawers, pantries, cabinets, or cupboards.
Rodent droppings are usually about the size of a grain of rice. If you see droppings that are black or dark brown (and shiny), this means they are likely fresh, and you might have an infestation.
2. Strange Noises
In some cases, a rodent infestation can take place in the walls or in parts of your home that amplify the sound. You might hear a scurrying, crawling, gnawing, or scratching noise. If you have rats, you are likely to hear squeaking noises as well.
Pair the strange noise with strange sightings, like a sudden darting across the room from their hiding place, and you’re sure to have a rodent problem. Whenever you hear and see more than one rodent, this means an infestation is likely hiding somewhere in or around the home.
3. Unexplained Pet Behavior
Is your dog or cat acting like they are really on edge lately? Have you noticed them scratching at or staring at the wall? If so, take this as a warning sign that they are likely sensing something you’re not.
A rodent problem is not always obvious, but our furry friends can sometimes hear or smell things that we cannot. Whenever you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to talk to the pros (especially those that do rodent extermination) to come out and have a look.
4. Nests, Tracks, and Holes
Rodents often leave signs of their arrival (even aside from droppings) that you will likely notice if the infestation gets worse.
For instance, a rodent will often follow along a ‘track’ to get to and from water and food, so you may notice signs of this trail as they do it more and more. You could find a nest made with soft materials from around the home in areas where you don’t spend much time.
If you’re finding random holes in things around the house or even chewed up wires, clothing, or walls, these things are not just happening by magic – be on alert for a rodent problem.
Look Out for a Rodent Problem
In most cases, a rodent problem will make itself known after some time has passed. Rodents can be stealthy creatures, but as they grow in number, they will become more and more obvious around your home. Don’t ignore the signs!
Did you find this information useful? If you did, take the time to look at some of our other homeowner tips on the blog next.
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