Occasionally, you might see a mouse scurrying through the kitchen or notice a rat when you go up to the attic, but in most cases you will observe the telling signs long before you encounter a live rodent. Any of the following signs are potential causes of concern and you should call our experts to have these pests removed or to keep them from getting into your property.
Mouse and Rat Droppings
Learn to identify the different droppings that mice and rats leave so you can tell which of the two is infesting your property. The average house mouse's droppings are small and stick-like, while the roof rat’s are shaped like spindles, and the Norway rat’s are shaped like capsules. You might see them in the kitchen or any other place where food is stored; under the sink or in the attic by a nest or a burrow.
Scampering Noises In The Attic
You may hear rodents running around inside your attic mainly at night so make sure to check for evidence. Shredded paper or damaged insulation will usually indicate the presence of a nest, often accompanied by the musty and foul smell of urine. Rat nests are harder to find but there are usually scratch marks and droppings close by.
Gnaw Signs And Scratch Marks
Rodents will chew on practically anything, but they particularly enjoy wood, paper and plastic so you might find bite marks everywhere. They do it to collect nesting material, to cut access holes, create borrows and to grind down their teeth that grow continuously. It can be extremely dangerous if they chew on electrical wires that are adjacent to the attic’s wooden beams. When the insulated cover is chewed off, overheated wires can easily cause a fire.
Unusual Pet Behavior
Your cats and dogs have heightened senses of smell and hearing so they will sense the presence of rodents much earlier than humans would. They will show signs of unrest, and may even paw at the spaces where they sense the rodents are hiding. While cats and dogs can catch the occasional rodent, an infestation can be too much for them to handle. That's where our team comes in. If you want to make your property completely rodent proof, give us a call today.