Detecting the signs of rat infestation

Nothing says rats like a trail of droppings. But how else can you spot when these furry vermin have taken up residence?

Presence of rats

If you hear scratching noises in your house, especially around dusk when rats are most active, then chances are you have a rat infestation. They often crawl through walls or above the ceiling, making themselves audible. Rats also have quite oily fur, so they will leave oil marks on beams and floors. They love gnawing on cabling and boxes too, so looking for chew marks on these can also tell you if they've taken up residence.

Rat burrows or nests can often be found under compost bins, inside boxes or in drawers. Inside the insulation of stoves is another favourite nesting place for vermin, and you can usually smell is they have taken up residence when you turn the oven on. Woodpiles and refuse stacks are also favourite haunts.

Of course, the number one sign that you have rats are their small, capsule-shaped droppings, which are black and shiny. Mouse droppings are similar, but smaller in size. Cupboards under the sink or around the stove are usually the first places to look.

If you do have one or all of these signs, calling in an exterminator is usually the best chance of getting rid of them. They have professional, state-of-the-art traps, and come to clean them up afterwards. They are also more humane than the old spring-loaded rat traps or slow-death rat poison.

Pest prevention: Alternatives to rat extermination

There are a few ways that you can prevent infestation. The first is to make sure all windows and doors are sealed properly. Rats can wriggle through some tight spaces; ensuring that you have proper doorstops and window seals is a good start. Also, don't leave any tempting food scraps around. Make sure all garbage bins are regularly cleaned out and tightly sealed, and that garbage bins are regularly emptied. Also, if you do have a compost pile, make sure it's well covered, turned regularly and as far away from the house as possible. Making sure cupboards are kept clean, benches are wiped and food put away also helps.

Your local hardware or health food shop may have some other alternatives for prevention, so speak with them if you think you might have four-legged squatters.