Signs of rodent infestation

Suspect you're not all alone at night? If you've noticed a strange rustling, trail marks or an odd, musty smell around your home, it's possible that you could have a rodent infestation on your hands.

'Unwanted house guests' is an extreme understatement when it comes to rats and mice invading your home. Spotting the signs is the first step. The second is calling up pest control to eliminate these nasty creatures.

How to spot the signs of rats and mice in your home

There are various things to look out for if you suspect you're sharing your abode with rodents. As rats and mice enjoy nesting in hidden nooks and crannies, you may be providing them with hospitality long before you even see one.

As far as the signs go, there are the certain indicators of a rat or mice infestation, as well as the more subtle hints.

The telltale signs of a rodent infestation

Some fairly certain indicators of rodents living in your house include:

• Droppings in kitchen cabinets, pantries, cupboards or anywhere else that food may be kept.
• Urine pools or trails around the house.
• Nibble marks or holes on food boxes.
• Gnaw marks on wood, electrical wire or any other material.
• Footprints or tail marks in dusty areas of your home (this can also help you ascertain what type of rodent you're dealing with).

Discreet signs indicating a rat or mouse infestation

Some of the signs are more subtle than droppings in your pantry, but they still may call for a pest control specialist:

• Rustling or scuffling sounds, particularly at night time when rats and mice are more active.
• Nesting signs. Rodents will often build nests from materials like fabric cuttings, shredded paper, grass and twigs and hole away in out-of-the-way places like boxes, cabinets, walls, dressers and even inside appliances and computer cases.
• Rodents such as mice and rats can have a rather musky odour, which can be a telltale sign of their existence.
• Pet behaviour can be a giveaway to rodent presence. If Fluffy or Rover is acting up, especially around a possible rodent hiding area, then it may be a sign you have a rodent infestation.

If you're noticing one or more of these signs around the house the next thing to do is call a pest control expert. Even if your suspicions have not been confirmed with an actual rodent sighting, pest control specialists will search your home from top to bottom to ascertain their existence. If you do have a rat problem, the professionals are able to eliminate them and apply measures to prevent their potential return to your house.