If you’re like many New York homeowners, one day you’re living peacefully in your home and the next, a mouse or rat pops up seemingly out of nowhere! Rodents are skilled at hiding, which is why often, homeowners have no idea there’s even a rodent infestation to begin with.
Despite their ability to hide, mice and rats often leave behind a number of warning signs that you can catch before you have a rodent infestation. Here’s what to watch, listen, and even smell for which can indicate a problem with mice or rats in your home.
Rat and Mouse Droppings
Rodents leave their mark in a number of ways. The most obvious sign is feces, which rodents will leave behind anywhere they go. They also leave urine marks (as well as small balls of hair) on materials they chew or rub against, like bedding and furniture.
The presence of rodent droppings or urine marks is often accompanied by a strong odor that can give you an idea of what type of rodent may be present. For example:
- Norway rats tend to leave fecal pellets that are larger than those left by other types of rats; these pellets are often found near low-lying areas, such as under furniture or next to baseboards.
- Roof rats tend to urinate more frequently than other types because they live in trees; the smell is usually stronger due to their high-protein diet.
- Mice droppings are smaller than rat droppings, measuring in at roughly the size of a grain of rice. You will likely see them in areas where the mice are breeding, as well as in cabinets/cupboards, drawers, and near electrical wiring.
Even the smallest rodent droppings can contain bacteria and diseases. Since mice alone have the ability to leave behind 50 droppings a day, it is no wonder why this is one of the first signs of mice most homeowners are exposed to.
Rodent Gnaw Marks
Mice and rats gnaw on wood to keep their teeth sharp. If you see gnaw marks, it’s a sign that mice or rats have probably been in your home. You may find gnaw marks on vertical surfaces, such as walls or baseboards. If these surfaces are located near food sources such as garbage or pet food, then there’s a good chance that they were made by mice or rats looking for an easy meal.
Because mice and rats can gnaw their way through just about anything, especially if they’re looking for food or water to survive, unfortunately, this means that rodents can destroy your home’s plumbing pipes and electrical wiring with gnawing, too.
Unexplained Noises
Scratching noises in the walls or ceiling are a common indication of rodent activity. The noise is usually caused by gnawing on the surface of the wall or ceiling by rats and mice, who use their teeth to make a channel through which they can get into your home. The scratching may be heard only at night, when rats and mice are active, or it may happen during the day if there are babies in nests inside walls (which is more likely to occur during breeding season).
Knock Out Mice and Rats in Your New York Home Fast
If you have noticed droppings, gnaw marks, or strange noises in your home, you may have a rodent infestation on your hands.
Turn to the professionals here at Knockout Pest Control for assistance. We can knock out rodents and keep them down for the count! Call 1-800-244-PEST to schedule an estimate for your home.
