Signs of a Rodent in Your Home

INTRODUCTION

Your home can be infested with rodents, but these pests are likely to infest undetected. Rodents surface in homes and can do severe damage; it is safest that you get them out of your house as quickly as possible. You can keep an eye out for signs of a rodent in your house, and if you spot any, you'll need to use pest control tactics to keep them away.

RODENT DROPPINGS

Rodents are most likely to deposit fecal pellets in areas where they nest. Rodents usually nest in cabinets, storage supplies, the kitchen, and other places that provide a food supply. The fecal pellets will still tell you when rodents infested your house. Rodent droppings in a newly infested household are expected to be softer and moister. If mice have overstayed their welcome in your house, you will most likely find grey and dried-out fecal pellets.

UNUSUAL ODORS

Homes infested with rodents have a musky smell. This may sound unpleasant, but it will benefit you well. The odor intensifies as the rodent infestation worsens and their population increases in total. The odor is easily detectable, particularly in most places where rodents’ nest. If you see your pets are active in some places, you should probably start looking for a rodent infestation in your house. You don't want rats to die in your house and you're confident you won't like the gross odor they'll leave behind.

TRACKS OF RODENTS

Tracks are another apparent indication of a rodent infestation in your house. Look for tiny footprints and traces left by rodents in rodent runways because they never leave them. One of the best ways to look for rodent footprints is to use a flashlight to check the places you believe the rodents have been infested. Using the floor on runways is also an excellent approach and, if they are in your house, you can find their tracks very quickly.

GNAW MARKS

Rodents' teeth begin to get sharper as they mature. They will most likely prey on whatever they come across, and you will most likely find their markings on doors, walls, cabinets, and other wooden materials. Gnaw marks are one of the signs of a rodent in your home, and they can inflict extensive harm. When you see gnaw signs, you can tell if the area has recently been infested with rodents or if they have overstayed. Newer gnaw marks are more likely to be shiny and lighter, while older infested areas are more likely to have darker gnaw marks. Much as rodents must feed, they must also drink to quench their thirst, so keep an eye out for gnaw marks on water pipes.

STRANGE NOISES

Another sign of a rodent in your home is the possibility of hearing unpleasant noises, especially at night. Since rodents are adept at scaling and hopping, noises can often be heard in the ceilings, shelves, and walls. Rodents, theoretically, can fit in spaces smaller than their bodies. Bear in mind that rodents' sounds will cause you to lose sleep, so keep them as far away from your home as possible.

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Learn about the common house mouse here