Five Signs Rodents Are Present in Your Home

Any type of pest in your home can be unpleasant, but a rodent infestation is often many people’s biggest fear. Mice and rats enter a property for several reasons; they might be looking for food, shelter or water, and in most cases they’ll choose the nearest place that they have easy access to.

If you do suspect that rodents are present in your home – don’t panic – a professional pest company will be able to remove an infestation and take preventative measures to stop rodents returning. If you’ve suspected an unwelcome presence in your home but aren’t sure what to look for, read on for five signs that indicate rodents are present.

Rodent Droppings

This is often the biggest sign that rats or mice are present in your property. The location of the droppings will indicate where the rodents are most active and the more droppings you find, the larger the infestation. Mouse droppings are less than a quarter of an inch in size and pointed at both ends, whereas rat droppings are around half an inch longer with round or blunt edges.

Unusual Pet Behaviour

Has your cat or dog been acting strangely lately? If there’s no other underlying cause, chances are they’ve detected a rodent present in your home. Pets can hear and smell rodents much more keenly than we can, so look for signs of unusual behaviour like barking or pawing at certain corners, spaces under appliances, or behind cupboards.

Scuffling Noises

Mice and rats are nocturnal so most homeowners first notice their presence during the night. You may hear a scratching or light tapping noise as rodents move inside walls or across hardwood floors. Mice can sometimes be heard squeaking (rats communicate at a pitch humans cannot hear) and you may notice gnawing or chewing sounds.

Bite Marks and Damage

Check wooden doors and furniture for signs of teeth marks where rodents may have been gnawing. Inspect the walls too for oily rub marks; if they smear easily this means that the rodents have been recently active in the area.

Unpleasant Odours

Rodent urine has a strong, musky odour, so if you’ve noticed this unpleasant smell in your home, chances are that mice or rats are present. Use the above signs to try and identify whether you have mice or rats, then call a pest control professional as soon as possible.

Evidence of a Nest

Droppings and bite marks may actually lead you directly to the nest of the rodents but if you do find it, don’t disturb it as you should leave this to the experts. Rodents like to use materials such as shredded paper and fabrics to make their nests so look out for this and of course, you may even spot the rodents in there!

If you need rodent control solutions in Yorkshire or the North West, get in touch with the experts at Copley Pest Control. Our experienced team is on hand to answer any of your questions and advise you on the best type of rodent control service for your situation. Whether you have mice or rats and just one rodent or several, we’ve got the effective solutions you need to remove rodent pests and prevent them from returning. For more information about how we could help, give us a call today or contact us via the website.