Residential Rat Infestation Signs

Sharing your home can be quite a stressful experience, and that’s even truer if the other party staying in the house are pests. For instance, rats are very good at adapting to their surroundings. They are highly intelligent creatures, which is a great survival advantage for them.

Along with that knowledge, knowing that groups of multiple mice are in your home can be even more terrifying. Having them around the home simply doesn’t bode well for your living space or your health at all. If you think you have some rats living in your home, it’s time to take some precautions and call in the pest control professionals to help you out.

Several factors come into play when figuring out whether mice are present or not in your home. Here are some signs that indicate the possibility of a rat infestation in your residence:

1) Random Mice Droppings

Mouse droppings are small, round, and about the size of a grape seed. These droppings are somewhat hard to spot, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to find them if you’re actively looking for them. Typically, they’ll be found in the corners or behind your kitchen cabinets. However, be vigilant as they can appear in the most random of areas in your house.

2) Bite Marks and Gnaws

If you notice gnaw marks on your furniture, walls, or other fixtures inside your home, you should start to panic. These marks made by rats are commonly found in dark places, such as corners and underneath furniture. However, mice will occasionally gnaw on wires or walls, so be vigilant and inspect your entire home for these marks.

3) Unpleasant Smells

An unpleasant odor can be present throughout your home if you have a rat infestation and will likely be coming from their nests. Typically, the nests will be hidden in the walls, ceiling, or any other dark and secluded area within the home. If you do notice a foul smell coming from the walls, you likely have a rat infestation on your hands.

4) Sudden Noises

With mice living in the walls, they’ll be able to freely roam without you being able to see them. Usually, you’ll hear them scurrying around in the walls and making noises. You should also expect to hear scratching and gnawing noises around the home from time to time, though rats may be sneakier when moving during the day.

5) Tiny Footprint Tracks

If you notice tiny footprints on your hardwood floors or on your carpet, you may have a mouse infestation. While mice do have much smaller feet than rats do, it’s still possible to see the difference between the footprints of the two animals. Either way, though, you should call in a professional to help you with the issue.

6) Hidden Rats Nest

Lastly, if you see what appears to be a rat’s nest in your home, you should be worried as this is the surest sign that you have an infestation in the home. A rat’s nest is typically a huge mass of shredded paper or other items that they collect. They’ll commonly be found in damp areas within your home, such as the basement or the attic.

Conclusion

If you think there’s a rat infestation in the home, consider contacting a pest control expert to help you get it under control. A professional will be able to help you get rid of the infestation and prevent new ones from coming in.

In need of pest control in Fresno, CA? RidX Pest Control offers the top pest control and treatment for commercial and residential customers. Get in touch with us today!