As a homeowner, a rat infestation is the last thing you want to encounter. Mice can cause problems including property damage, disturbances, odor issues, food contamination, allergies, and many more. When you start hearing unexplained noises or notice an unexplained smell, it is easy to become worried.
How Do You Know You Have Rats in Your Home?
Here are the common signs to look out for to know if you have a mice problem in your home. Some of the signs include:
1. Gnaw Marks
Gnaw marks are one of the common signs that you may have rats in your house. Rats have strong incisor teeth that must be kept at a manageable length. To do this, they gnaw on various materials. Other than maintaining their dental health, rats gnaw on different materials to access food or create entry points into structures. If you see bite marks on your walls or food packaging, don’t ignore it as there can be a rat nearby. The bigger the marks, the larger the rat.
2. Droppings
Droppings are the most common indicators of rat infestation. Rat droppings resemble rice grains and are around 1/4 to 3/4 inches long, depending on the rat species. Rats leave droppings along their travel routes, close to food sources, or near nesting sites. The most common areas where you can find rat droppings include under sinks, kitchen cabinets, along walls, pantries, and hidden places. The color of fresh droppings is dark and soft while the ones that have lasted longer are lighter and gray.
3. Food Contamination
Rats are opportunistic feeders, and they invade food storage areas, kitchens, and pantries in search of food. While searching for food, rats can directly contaminate food items by crawling or walking on them. If you notice any signs of contamination, it is important to discard the food. This is because food contamination by rats not only poses a health risk but also results in significant food waste. If you suspect there is a rat infestation, take immediate action to address the problem. Ensure all your food is stored properly and clean up all the spills that can attract rats.
4. Scratching Noises At Night
Rats are nocturnal animals, meaning they are more active at night than daytime. When you start hearing scratching noises, it indicates that there might be mice in your home. The sounds may come from rats moving around or creating nests in walls, ceilings, and other hidden spaces. If you are unsure what is causing the scratching sounds, hire a professional to conduct an inspection.
5. Nests in Hidden Areas
Rats make nests in the attics, behind appliances, empty boxes, or basements. For them, these are perfect places to hide because there is less traffic. Mostly, rats ensure their nests are hidden but close to food sources and water. They make these nests from debris like twigs, cotton, fabric, and cardboard. The nests can be a perfect place to hide, breed, or raise the young ones.
6. Foul Odors
While in search of food and exploring your home, rats leave behind droppings, nesting materials, and urine. When the latter is combined with food droppings, some parts of your house will have foul odors. If the rats have nested in poorly ventilated areas, the unpleasant odor will be more noticeable. In addition, if a rat dies in your home, the decomposition process will produce a strong odor that will make your home uncomfortable.
7. Odd Pet Behavior
When there are mice in your house, pets, especially cats may show changes in behavior when they detect the presence of mice. You might start seeing your cat becoming more alert and focused on specific areas of your home for minutes. Besides, the cat may scratch or paw underneath furniture, corners, and walls.
Control and Prevention
If you notice any of the signs above, it is good to take prompt action to address the issue. Some of the steps you can take include:
1. Seal Up Entry Points
Rats are good at squeezing through small openings, and they can find their way into your home through gaps in foundations, walls, and other structural elements. To prevent rats from entering your home, all the entry points must be sealed properly.
2. Proper Food Storage
Rats always move to places where there is plenty of food and water, and minimizing their access to food can help deter them. Ensure pet food is sealed in containers, eliminate puddled water, and repair leaky faucets or pipes.
Also, use tightly sealed garbage bins and empty them regularly. Garbage bags should not sit around for long periods as they will attract rodents. In addition, if you have pets, their food should not be left to sit out overnight. Store the food in stored containers and clean any spills on the floor.
3. Regular Cleaning
Rats are always attracted to dirty spaces. For example, the kitchen, dining, and food storage areas are some of the places rats love. If these areas are dirty, they will attract rats. Therefore, ensure these areas are vacuumed and swept thoroughly. Also, all the living spaces should be well organized and clutter-free to reduce potential nesting sites.
4. Set Traps
Setting traps can be an effective method for reducing or eliminating rats in your home. Traps are a common and humane method used to control rat populations. There are different types of traps, including glue traps, snap traps, and live traps. Place the trap in areas where you have observed rat activity. Because rats reproduce quickly, use multiple traps for a higher catch rate.
If you are a homeowner who prefers the humane approach, use live traps that enable you to catch rats without hurting them. You can catch and release them a distance away from home.