Tips for Identifying A Rodent Infestation – Imagine you come home after a long day at the office, and as you walk into your kitchen – ready to pour yourself a glass of wine – a mouse or, heaven forbid, a rat runs across your foot. Make it a shot of whisky instead! 

No one wants a rodent problem, but they are pretty common. According to the National Pest Management Association, 29% of American homes have a rodent infestation. Most often, it’s during the fall season; you’ll find rodents start to move inside buildings. They also need shelter, warmth, and food you know. But make sure you keep an eye out for them no matter the season, because not only can they cost you property damage, but they pose a health risk to you and your family too. 

The health risks come from rodents frequenting areas like dumpsters, sewers, and trash heaps filled with bacteria. They then track this filth everywhere they go, including your home, and if they are in your kitchen, that’s potentially a big problem. Also, rodents carry parasites. Think lice, mites, and fleas. Yuck! Perhaps it’s time to do a perimeter, attic, and closet check to see if you need rodent infestation control.

There are few signs to note when looking around your home for a potential rodent infestation. In this article, we look at the signs of an infestation, how you can prevent it, and how Pest Control Unlimited can help.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

Not sure how you know if you have a rodent problem? Let’s look at a few telltale signs:

Chewing

Have you noticed any minor chew marks on items such as wood and cardboard? Rodents love to have a good chew on your baseboards and even your electrical wires. Any small holes in your baseboards or thin walls? These could be entry and exit points for the little pests or locations through which they move undetected around the house. Have you found small holes in food packages, boxes, and even insulation? Yup, it’s the rodents. They actually need to constantly chew so that their teeth don’t get too long. 

Odors

There are two kinds of odors rodents can bring into your home. The first is a musky kind of smell from their urine, and as your rodent problem grows, well, so will the smell. The other odor can come from a dead rodent. That’s a nasty rotting odor that won’t take you long to notice. We recommend using a licensed rodent infestation control professional to handle finding and removing any dead rodents as soon as possible. 

Pet Behavior

Have you noticed little Fluffy scratching at your walls or Fido acting slightly erratically in certain areas of your home? They may have picked up on the rodent’s scent or heard it scuttling away behind the walls or in the ceilings. 

Rodent Droppings

Of course, if you see actual rodent poop, you know for sure you have a rodent problem. These small, dark brown, rice-shaped droppings are often found in the backs of drawers, inside cabinets, and along baseboards. Rat droppings can even be in more open areas. Make sure these are cleaned up immediately with gloves and a mask. 

Noises

Heard any light scratching, gnawing, and scampering sounds at night? Press your ear to your walls or creep up to your attic. These could be signs you have a rodent problem, so take note of odd noises at night and not just brush off these sounds.

Nests

If you find a cluster of torn paper, cardboard, cloth, or other fibrous materials in the dark corners, attic, or backs of cupboards, you have probably found a rodent nest. Unfortunately, most of the time, these nests are made inside wall voids where you are very unlikely to see them. 

Markings and Stains

We’re sure your home doesn’t have a very dusty area, but you might see footprints and even tail-drags in the dust if it did. And often, if you are dealing with a rodent infestation, you will notice urine stains on shelves or in the back of cabinets and drawers.

How to Prevent a Rodent Infestation

Luckily, there are many helpful ways to prevent rodent infestations. Let’s look at the options here:

  • Trapping and baiting: These methods will help remove your current rodent residents. You can use snap-style traps, which are usually able to kill the rodents quickly. Bait stations that hold the bait in place can lure the rodents into the trap. Place your choice of traps along common pathways where you have found their markings and droppings.
  • Attend to the holes: Close up all the holes you have along the exterior of your home. By sealing up your house with rodent-proofing materials, you will stop new rodents from getting in through doors, windows, holes, and vents. 
  • Keep your yard tidy: Trim any overhanging trees as these will help rodents easily hop from your neighbor’s yard to yours or even onto your roof. Remove any pile of garbage or clutter you have in your garden because these give them safe environments to live in. And if you have fruit trees, it might be worth spending the time clearing up dropped fruit every day, or you can apply a rat guard to your trees. 
  • Keep things clean: If you don’t give rodents access to food, they will move on. Ensure you don’t leave food sitting out in and around your home. Make use of rodent-proof bins for your garbage and also your pet food. 
  • Get a cat: Talk about a great deterrent! Even if you choose a fat, lazy cat that is not good at catching rodents, their scent will cause rodents to choose your neighbor’s home instead.

Call the Professionals

If you suspect a pest infestation, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the problem straight away. Once they have taken care of things, you can ensure a rodent problem doesn’t reoccur, thanks to these tips. 

Nobody is more knowledgeable about rodent infestation control than Pest Control Unlimited LLC. Providing exceptional services is what Pest Control Unlimited is all about. All that we do is customized to your home. Rodent infestation? No problem, we listen to your concerns, study the situation carefully, and create a customized pest control approach. Our technicians are experts in the latest safe pest control methods and practices. We’re passionate about serving you. And will do so with all the necessary COVID precautions in place. Whenever you need help, we’re only a phone call away at 888-649-9919. Contact us today and begin your residential pest services.