How do you know if you have rodents in your home and when should you call in the professionals?
Look For These Telltale Signs
If you suspect you have rodents in your home, there are several signs to look out for:
● Droppings: Rodents leave behind small, oval-shaped droppings usually found near their nests or food sources.
● Gnaw Marks: Rodents have a constant need to gnaw on things to keep their teeth sharp, so look for gnaw marks on wood, wires, or other materials.
● Holes And Burrows: Rodents often create holes and burrows in walls, floors, and ceilings to make their nests.
● Scratching Noises: Rodents are active at night, and you may hear scratching or scurrying sounds in walls, ceilings, or floors.
● Sightings: If you see a rodent, it’s a sure sign that you have an infestation.
If you suspect you have rodents in your home, it’s important to call a pest control company as soon as possible. Rodents can carry diseases and cause significant damage to your home, so it’s best to address the problem quickly.
A pest control company can inspect your home, identify the type of rodent, and determine the extent of the infestation. They can then develop a tailored treatment plan to eliminate the rodents and prevent them from coming back.
In addition, a pest control professional can offer advice on how to prevent future infestations, such as sealing up entry points and keeping your home clean and clutter-free.
Look For Both Obvious and Subtle Signs
There are always some telltale signs to look for with rodents. While some can be obvious, such as hearing something scurry or skitter across your floor on a quiet night, others can be more subtle.
One of the keys is that rodents come into your house because they’re after shelter and especially food.
If you find odd tears, rips, and openings in food containers, rodents could definitely be the culprit. Rodents also tend to defecate where they eat, so if you find small, dark, oblong pellets near those damaged food containers, you’re probably looking at rodent droppings.
Rodents can be relatively easy to manage on a DIY basis as long as you’re not squeamish. There are a variety of consumer-grade traps available, including live traps if you’re particularly soft-hearted. Just make sure you’re checking those traps frequently; you don’t want to leave a decaying mouse corpse in your home any longer than you have to.
If consistent trapping doesn’t get rid of your unwelcome guests, it might be time to call an exterminator.
Look Out For These Common Signs
There are several signs that can indicate the presence of rodents in your home. Here are some of the most common signs to look out for:
● Droppings: Rodents such as mice and rats leave droppings in areas where they have been active, such as in the kitchen or near food storage areas.
● Gnaw marks: Rodents need to gnaw to keep their teeth sharp, so look out for gnaw marks on food packaging or other surfaces.
● Tracks: Rodents may leave tracks in dusty or dirty areas such as the attic or basement.
● Squeaking Or Scratching Noises: You may hear squeaking or scratching noises coming from walls or other areas of the home where rodents are active.
● Nesting Materials: Rodents may use materials such as shredded paper or fabric to build nests in hidden areas of the home.
If you suspect rodents in your home, it’s important to take action as soon as possible to prevent an infestation from becoming more severe. Here are some steps you can take:
● Clean And Declutter: Keep your home clean and decluttered to eliminate hiding places and food sources for rodents.
● Seal Entry Points: Seal any gaps or cracks in your home’s foundation, walls, and roof to prevent rodents from entering.
● Use Traps: Use traps to capture rodents that are already in your home. There are a variety of traps available, from snap traps to live traps.
● Call A Pest Control Company: If you are unable to eliminate the rodent problem on your own or if you have a severe infestation, it’s best to call a pest control company. They will have the expertise and tools to safely and effectively eliminate the infestation.
Overall, it’s important to be aware of the signs of rodents in your home and take action to prevent or eliminate an infestation. You can keep your home rodent-free by cleaning and decluttering, sealing entry points, using traps, and calling a pest control company if necessary.
Strange Noises, Smells, or Sights
Rodents can be difficult to detect in your home, but there are a few signs to keep an eye out for, such as droppings, gnaw marks, and strange noises. You may also notice a musky smell or see nests or burrows in your attic or basement.
Quick action is important, as rodents can cause damage and pose a health risk. When considering whether to call a pest control company, think about the severity of the problem and your ability to handle it.
If it’s a small issue, you may be able to deal with it yourself using traps and exclusion methods. However, for larger infestations or if you’re unsure how to remove rodents safely, it’s best to call in professionals.
A reputable pest control company can assess the situation, develop a customized plan, and safely and effectively remove the rodents from your home. This will provide peace of mind and a rodent-free living environment.
Watch For Droppings and Listen For Noises
Other than physically seeing rodents in your home, two of the biggest signs that they are present are if you find droppings or if you can hear them.
You are most likely to find droppings [where] rodents are more commonly found, like in your basement or attic, in your floor-level cupboards, around your garbage cans, etc. Basically, anywhere that is dark and allows for easy hiding or access to food.
You want to call a pest control company as soon as you realize you are dealing with an infestation problem. The presence of rodents in your home is not just annoying- it can be a major health hazard for you and your family.
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