In the United States, more than 14.8 million homeowners reported seeing rodents in their homes in the last year. Having a rodent infestation is not only inconvenient, but it can also cause significant damage to your home and may also carry diseases.
By learning more about the signs of rodents in your home, you can get this problem taken care of as soon as possible.
Do you want to learn more about rodent control and how to tell if you have rodents in your house? Keep reading these top seven signs that you are sharing your home with rodents.
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1. Rodent Droppings
One of the easiest ways you can identify rodents living in your home or on your property is by finding their droppings. Rodents will poop anywhere around your home, but most often in areas where they get food, where they nest, and other places they commonly travel.
Make sure you check areas like your pantry, in cupboards, and even under your sink for rodent droppings, as these are common places rodents go in homes.
If you find fresh droppings, they will be dark and moist. Over time, they will dry out and look gray and crumbly. Depending on the types of droppings you find, you will be able to tell if there is an active rodent infestation in your home.
2. Trails and Markings
When you have rodents in your home, they will likely travel to and from the same areas of your home constantly. After a while, these pathways will become more noticeable. Rodent trails are also known as tracks and runways and often look like smudges on your walls or flooring.
This is because rodents are often greasy and dirty, so they will leave behind markings when they walk along your walls regularly. You may also notice that the surfaces of your home feel grimy or look dirty.
As part of your home maintenance, you should keep an eye out for these tracks and runways. If you think that you have identified a rodent runway, you can sprinkle a thin layer of powder on the area to see if the rodents leave tracks in the powder.
3. Scratching Noises
Many homeowners are able to identify a rodent infestation in their home because they notice strange sounds at night. Often, rodents in your home will get into the ceiling, walls, or even under the floorboards.
If you hear scratching noises in your wall, muffled squeaking, or even the sound of pitter-pattering, this is often the sign that you have rodents living in your house.
Even if the sound isn’t coming from rodents, it is likely the sound of another type of pest.
4. Visible Signs of Gnawing or Chewing
Another visible sign of a rodent infestation in your home is gnawed marks or holes chewed through your walls, food packaging, and more. Rodents will often chew through the fabric of your furniture, especially if they are trying to make a nest.
They may also chew through wires in your home, which can be quite dangerous. If this is not identified, it could lead to an electrical fire or other potential problems.
If these gnaw marks are large, these are likely done by rats that have bigger teeth. As soon as you notice visible gnaw marks, you should call a pest control company to evaluate the problem. Here is a pest control company in Florida that can help you with rodent control.
5. Foul Odor
Whenever you have a rodent infestation in your home, you may notice a foul odor in your home. This is likely due to the urine from your rodents. If you have other pets, like a cat or a dog, they may become more interested in these areas.
Often, the foul odor is compared to the smell of stale ammonia. This is a sharp smell that is sour and pungent. It also will likely originate from hidden areas where the rodents are nesting in your home.
You may also notice the smell of rodent nests, including droppings, rotting food, or even dead rodents.
6. Rodent Nests
Another simple way to identify a rodent infestation is by finding their nest. Rodents will often nest in hidden areas of your home, whether this is in the back of a closet, your attic, or anywhere else.
They will also use shredded materials like paper and fabric to make their nests. If you see these types of materials around your home or yard, you likely have a rodent infestation.
7. Rodent Sightings
Finally, if you have any rodent sightings in your home or on your property, it is safe to assume that there is more than one living in your home. This is the easiest way to identify rodents on your property.
While you may be lucky enough to only have one rodent in your house, you should act as if you have an entire infestation.
Call a pest solutions company to set traps or to inspect your home to see if there are more than you originally thought. This way, you can take care of the problem before the rodents breed and spread.
Have Rodents? Get Help With Rodent Control
When you find rodents in your home, you must take immediate action. Over time, they can cause serious property damage and may even lead to electrical fires. If you notice any signs that you have rodents, you must find rodent solutions to remove them.
Do you want to learn more about pest control? We can help! Check out our website today to learn more about health, lifestyle, and other factors to help you with your rodent control.
