Six Signs to Help Tell If You Have Rodent Infestation

Six Signs to Help Tell If You Have Rodent Infestation

Rat and dirty dishes in kitchen sink. Pest control

Rodents are easily spotted during colder seasons, especially inside of the home. In fact, around 21 million homes are invaded during fall and winter. Once inside, rodents can cause a variety of issues, including food contamination, asthma and allergies, and diseases. Here are six signs that mean your home has recently turned into a hotel for rodents.

  1. You find droppings. Rodent droppings are typically found where food is kept (cabinets, pantries), they can also be spotted under sinks, inside of cardboard boxes, along baseboards, and on top of wall beams.
  2. You find gnaw marks. Rodents can damage your property by chewing through pretty much any type of material they can get their teeth on, including plastic and lead pipes. If they’re in search of food and water, there is nothing they won’t destroy to obtain it. Some species even chew wires behind walls, which can lead to a house fire.
  3. You find a nest (or multiple). Rodents enjoy nesting in dark, secluded areas where they won’t be bothered. House mice build their nests out of paper products, cotton, packing materials, wall insulation, and fabric.
  4. You find tracks or rub marks. Rodents can leave dark grease or dirt marks on walls and floors as they make their way throughout the home in search of food and water, to and from their nest.
  5. You hear unusual noises. Rodents often make noises within walls as they make their way through your home.
  6. You find a rodent. This is an obvious sign you have an infestation, of course! If you find one, there’s a huge chance there are more as mice can breed at a rapid rate. Female mice can give birth to a half dozen babies every three weeks, as much as 35 per year.