Pest Control: Identifying a Rodent Problem in Your Nassau County, NY, Home

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Although your home may be infiltrated by rodents, they are hard to spot and may leave you completely oblivious to their presence. It is, therefore, important to identify signs that point to the possibility of a rodent infestation so that you can bring in pest control services before your Nassau County, NY, home gets overrun.

Rodent Droppings

Fresh rodent droppings are dark and moist but dry out and turn gray with time. You can note from the color and consistency of the droppings whether an infestation is old or recent. Rodent droppings will be concentrated in areas where the pests feed or nest, and are often found near food, in drawers and cupboards, and under sinks. Rodent droppings can be mistaken for dirt at first, so take the time to inspect suspicious tracts or piles of dirt to determine if they are, in fact, feces.

Agitated Dogs

Dogs bear incredibly keen senses and may become agitated when they hear or smell rodents in the house. Pay attention to your pets’ behavior because the walls and fences that they tend to bark and scratch at may be home to unwelcome rodents. While your dogs are reliable whistle-blowers, do not rely on them to rid your home of rodents because they are, in fact, susceptible to some of the diseases carried by rats and mice. Should you detect a rodent infestation in your home, hire a pest control company as soon as possible to protect yourself and your beloved pets from disease.

Related: Keep Rats and Mice Away from Your NYC Home with Effective Pest Control

Dust Tracks

An active rodent infestation will leave trails in dusty areas, particularly along baseboards and in corners near sources of food. Should you suspect a rodent infestation in your home, you could line susceptible areas with a layer of flour or powder and monitor them for tiny footprints or lines. These trails may even lead you to the rodents’ nests and entry points.

Bite Marks

Rodents typically leave gnaw marks along baseboards, door frames, cabinets, and other floor-level wooden structures. Larger gnaw marks point to a rat infestation, while smaller marks are more likely to indicate the presence of mice. If you hear scuttling in your walls, consider checking the back panels of any surrounding cabinets for evidence of damage. These marks can also be found on food packaging.

Related: Top 4 Reasons Why You Need to Sign Up for Pest Control Services in Huntington, NY

A Musky Odor

Rodents leave a distinct musky odor that persists despite efforts to air out the home. This odor is even more noticeable to animals with keen noses and can agitate pets. Should you detect a strange new odor, you could try to pinpoint its source. However, hiring a pest control company to find the infestation would be a much more effective solution, as rats and mice reproduce quickly.  

Nightly Noise

Rodents are nocturnal animals and are more likely to be active at night. The sound of scuttling and squeaking at late hours is a major red flag and merits the immediate recruitment of professional help.

A Nest

Finally, finding a nest is the most reliable indicator of a rodent infestation. Rats and mice tend to use shredded paper, fabric, and plant matter to build nests, which are typically surrounded by droppings, track marks, and gnaw marks. You may find the nest by following these other, more subtle signs. While a nest may be evidence of a past infestation, it should not be ignored—especially in the presence of fresh droppings and gnaw marks.