During winters, one of the common problems we face is rodent infestation. To get warm shelter and food, rats try to enter our house during winter. If you are not aware, they will breed in no time and damage your furniture and the whole house.
When rats enter your house, they leave some traces. You must identify those signs and take the necessary steps. Below are some of the ways that can help you identify rodent infestation at your place.
How can we detect rodent infestation?
Living in a house with rodent infestation feels very uneasy. They can be anywhere in your house. The kitchen, attic, dining area, and basement are a few common places where you can detect rodent infestation. They can enter your house through very small openings as they have a flexible body and can travel through narrow spaces. Catching them before they breed is the best way to make your house rat and mice free. Here, some signs are mentioned that prove that you have a rodent infestation at your place.
Chewing marks
Rodents tend to chew everything they find. Munching on wires, baseboards, and fabric is their favorite activity. If you find little chewing marks on cardboard, wood, and clothes, be sure that your house is infested by rodents.
Bad wet smell
Rats have a distinctive smell of their own. Wherever they go, the musky odor accompanies them. If you can smell something weird, be sure that it is rodent infestation. The more they breed, the stronger the smell becomes.
Rotten odor
Dead rats smell bad. You can smell them from a distance. So, if you can smell something rotten, you can check the place for dead rats. If you find them, wear gloves and a mask yourself before you remove them. Also, wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect the area when the dead body is removed. If you cannot do all these alone, you can always take professional help from pest control companies like Midway Pest Management.
Change in pet’s behavior
The behavior of your pets will change if rats have infested your house. They will scratch and smell certain areas of your house in search of the rats. Note down all those places and search thoroughly. If you have a pet cat, it will help you to detect rats faster.
Rat droppings
The droppings of rodents are the most common signs of rodent infestation. They can be easily seen and identified. The dropping of a mouse is ¼” long, small, and dark brown. It also has pointed ends. The rat’s droppings can vary according to the size of the rat, but usually, they are ¾” with a varying shape. You are suggested to use a mask and gloves while cleaning the droppings.
Tracks of rats
You can find small footprints if your house has rodent infestation. Check all the dusty areas of your house as finding footprints will be easy on dusty surfaces. Thus, you can easily identify any infestation.
Holes made by rats
Mice and rats can travel through very small places because of their flexible body. That is why they make small holes on thin walls and furniture surfaces. These holes help them to move them from one place to another without being seen. If you find such holes, your house is infested with rodents.
Allergy attacks
The fur and droppings of rats can cause allergic reactions in you and your family. For food and water, they roam all around our house. If you are not careful, their fur, droplets, and dirt can get mixed in your food and clothes. This can make you seriously ill. So, if you are suffering from stomach issues and allergies suddenly without any cause, a rodent infestation can be the reason.
Grease marks
When rodents infest your house, you may see some unexpected marks on the floor and furniture. The fur of rodents contains a type of oil. When they run across our house, they leave grease marks on the surface. If you identify those marks, you have a rodent infestation in your house.
Sudden noise
Rodents are very active creatures. Searching for food, looking for a better shelter, making a nest, finding water, making holes, and chewing on cardboard are some of their daily activities. All of these produce a constant noise. So, when you hear such scampering, rumbling, or gnawing noise, you probably have a rodent infestation.
These are some of the major signs of a rodent infestation. A single rat or mouse can destroy your peace of mind. So, be very careful and detect all the signs and take preventive measures.
How to cure rodent infestation?
When you see the signs of rodent infestation, you must take immediate steps. Thankfully, some simple steps can make your house free of rodent infestation.
- Use door sweeps
- Seal all cracks and holes in your house
- Keep all your food items in tight containers
- Clean garbage regularly
- Keep your house dry and well-ventilated
- Replace all the loose mortar
- Fix all leaking pipes and keep the drains clean so that rats cannot breed
- Throw away all the useless boxes, bags, and packages
- When you suspect any pest infestation, contact professionals immediately
Conclusion
Everyone wants to keep their house pest-free. Rodent infestation can lead to a lot of damage to your house, and they are very hard to get rid of. So, always keep your house clean and well-maintained and call professionals in need.
