When someone mentions a pest infestation, they typically picture cockroaches and other creepy crawlies, but rodents are a significant threat to your household’s health. Over 14 million homeowners and renters in the United States report seeing rodents in their homes in the past 12 months.
Rodents can carry bacteria and illness into your home, putting your family’s health at risk. Identifying the signs that you need emergency pest removal can help you provide a clean and safe living space. From foul odors to nesting materials, you can see the signs before the infestation grows.
Take control of your home and kick your unwanted house guests out. Continue reading to learn the signs of a rodent infestation today!
Table of Contents
1. Rodent Droppings
Rodent droppings are a telltale sign that mice, rats, or other rodents have taken residence in your home or apartment. The droppings can signify several things. Darker, moist droppings are a sign of a fresh infestation.
The droppings will become drier as time passes. If you find grey and crumbly droppings, they’re likely from a previous undetected infestation.
The top locations to look for rodent droppings include under sinks, around packaged food goods, and in cupboards and drawers. Rodents enjoy making nests in hidden places to avoid detection and maintain safety.
You’ll most likely find droppings in spaces where rodents eat or sleep. If you find fresh droppings, examine the surrounding area. It is an effective way to find the infestation and get help from emergency pest services with rodent control.
2. Gnaw Marks
Rodents enjoy gnawing to maintain oral health. If you’re sharing your home with a family of rodents, you’re likely to find gnaw marks around the house. The challenge is determining if the marks you see are from a new or previous infestation.
Newer gnaw marks are often lighter in color. Food packages, furniture, and parts of your home are common places to find these marks. The best way to determine if the marks are new is by keeping track of all marks in your house.
New marks signify that a fresh infestation is taking root in your house. For assistance, call a rodent control service near you.
The size of the marks can help you determine whether you have mice or rats in the home. Rats leave more prominent gnaw marks than their smaller relatives.
3. Foul Odors
Another sign to watch (or smell) for is a foul odor in your home. Following your nose can lead you to the nest where the infestation thrives.
The easiest way to track a rodent infestation in your home is with the help of house pets, such as dogs and cats. These pets will get excited when near the infestation due to their heightened sense of smell.
Your pets will likely smell the rats or mice well before you do. If you suspect rodents living in your home, look for signs that your pet is paying particular attention to a specific space.
Common odors include a stale smell from the nest and foul odors from feces. Call a pest control service if you begin picking up foul smells in your house.
4. Rodent Tracks
Rodent tracks are a sure way to track the movements of your new roommates and identify their food source and nesting area. You can use a flashlight or blacklight to spot prints, feces, and other signs of movement on the floor and countertops.
The signs will become more muddled with time, particularly in regions of the home with more foot traffic. You’re likelier to spot these tracks when they’re fresh and new. Hold your light source at an angle in areas where you suspect increased rodent activity.
A pro tip involves sprinkling baby powder or flour on your floor. A thin layer of your chosen powder will leave footprints you can track.
5. Rodent Nesting Materials
Rodents crave a cozy and comfortable space to sleep and nest. You can use nesting materials to identify potential infestations in your home. If you find a nest, there’s no doubt you’ve housed a rodent infestation at some point.
Scheduling an inspection with a rodent control service is the ideal way to determine whether the infestation is new or old. Then, you can eliminate it and create a hygienic living space.
The rodents will find nesting materials from inside and outside your home. Common materials include:
- Linens
- Dried plant material
- Paper scraps
- Fabric
A nest made from these materials can alert you to an infestation and help you take steps to remove it. When paired with gnaw marks and droppings, you can confidently schedule a pest control appointment.
6. Outdoor Waste Piles
Rodents are attracted to waste, and one of the worst things you can do when facing a rodent infestation is leave compost piles near your home’s exterior walls. These piles will draw rodents to your home and provide a feast that encourages them to stay.
If you have trash or waste near your home, it’s a fantastic starting point for tracking rodents. Move them further away to lower the odds of a new infestation.
7. Population Size
Small infestations will be challenging to spot because most rodents prefer to move and look for food at night. However, you have a substantial issue if you begin spotting rodents inside your home during daylight hours.
Rodent populations grow at an impressive pace. It’s best to take active measures if you see rodents scurrying in your kitchen at noon. It’s a sign the population is thriving and that you need to hire rodent control services.
Schedule Emergency Pest Removal for Your Home
Pests like mice and rats can quickly take control of your home and create several health issues. Knowing the signs of an infestation can help you take active measures by hiring emergency pest control.
Look for rodent droppings and gnaw marks when seeking the infestation’s nest. Remove outdoor waste piles to eliminate the enticement and food sources rodents seek.
Proper pest control can result in a clean and healthy home, increasing property value. Explore our Real Estate content for guidance to boost your property’s value today!
