Rats, mice, and other small mammals are beginning to seek shelter from the Fall season. They might be looking for warmth inaccessible homes across America including New York City, CT, NJ, and Long Island! While larger infestations have been established already it’s important that you catch them early before their populations grow any higher than they should be at this time of year.
But how do we know if there is something wrong?
10 Signs of Rodent Infestation on your Home
These are the 10 telltale signs that your home may be infested with rodents, but if you notice anything out of the ordinary try looking around for footprints, digging, nesting materials
Here are the signs to look out for:
Chew Marks
Mice can chew through anything but if you notice a lot of small chew marks on the object it most likely is because they are chewing. Rodents have stronger jaws and teeth so even though rats might be smaller than mice, these animals will still pierce hard objects such as wood or thick plastic with ease while mice would only leave indented holes in concrete for instance- the notable difference between them!
Musky Odor
Mice and rats have a very musky odor that they seem to leave behind as a way of marking their territory. If you notice this area smells musky or is pungent it might be due to a rodent infestation caused by rodents. Signs of rodent urine can include unexplained stains, trails around the home, and also dark spots on your hardwood floors and carpets.
Rotten Odor
Rodents are carrying around both their food and also the bacteria responsible for creating bad odors. Signs of this stench can include smelly areas to trails throughout your home. Signs of dead rodents can be evident in your home if you notice a very strong and unappealing smell that is hard to place.
Odd Pet Behavior
If you have pets that are acting strange, then there might be something disrupting their daily routines. Signs of unusual pet behavior can include eating food they wouldn’t normally eat, avoiding certain areas in the home, and also changes in litter box use.
Rodent Droppings
Rodents leave behind droppings which can be found in abundance within your home. Signs of rodent droppings include the irregular size and shape, as well as potentially seeing several clustered together.
Droppings can be found in any area of your home, but they might use the attics or walls as their main spots for this kind of activity. Signs of rodent droppings include piles such as black pepper shakers or cigar shavings behind areas such as your stove oven.
Presence of Tracks and Runways
Are you noticing increased amounts of animal tracks and runways throughout your home? Signs of rodent activity include finding visible trails throughout the home, as well as seeing their usual paths.
Mice and rats typically travel in the same direction as their Nest. Mice will often stay very close to a nest, while rats are more adventurous; they’ll venture out 25-100 feet from burrows for food or other resources that may be needed during winter months when it’s cold outside!
Holes or Gnaw Marks
If you notice holes or gnaw marks throughout your home, then it is time to act fast. Signs of rodent activity include chewed window frames and doorknobs, as well as chewing on any kind of electrical wires.
Rodents can be very persistent towards an area that they want to keep clean so if there are small piles of debris on the floor around these areas then this is a sign of increased animal traffic through this space. Signs of rodent activity also include claw marks near the ceiling which could indicate their attempts at knocking onto the protective barriers over their nests inside your walls or attics.
Their presence will be noticeable by the tunnels they dig as well as the holes they leave behind. Rats and mice both like to burrow through materials such as walls or even floorboards! They make these burrows for food storage, nesting sites, and also because it provides protection from predators.
You Hear Scratching Noises
Many people find it hard to tell what kind of noise is caused by rodents but it’s usually scratching, gnawing, or just causing
Rodents love to make noise running through walls and other objects so if you notice you can hear what sounds like rodents scratching look for small gaps or holes that might help them get through without too much trouble. Look for areas where there is a lot of activity such as under furniture such as couches and beds as these are common places for rodents to sneak into your home!
Nest of Shredded Paper
If you see what looks like a nest of torn-up paper, then this is usually indicative of rodents. Signs of rodent activity include these nests that they build and also the signs of their presence such as urine and feces through your home.
These nests or piles can be found anywhere out of sight and if you notice one in a corner somewhere it might be rodents taking shelter from harsh weather conditions outside. Signs of activity can include these bedding areas for their young as well as finding feces around them so look out for babies!
Allergies
If you notice any signs of allergies such as a runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing, and also coughing and wheezing then there might be something infesting your home that’s causing these reactions. Signs of rodent activity include their fur (which is usually always present in large amounts) and virus-filled droppings.
Rodents can carry serious diseases which is why it’s important to check for any signs of their presence.
The problem of rodents in the workplace is a serious issue. Unchecked, these pests can lead to unsafe conditions and even illnesses for employees or customers alike! With the recent increase of workplace accidents and illnesses caused by vermin, it’s important that we take care of our pest problems now. If you need help with prevention strategies against them we would love to offer our services BioTech Termite & Pest Control specializes in rodent control and treatment these types of situations so contact us today if you are interested.