Common Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Rodents are one of the most common pests found in residential properties. They are more likely to invade an accessible home or building during winters to seek warmth, shelter, food, and water. Rodents, such as mice or rats, nest in dark and secluded areas of a home, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
The thought of a rodent infestation is unsettling for homeowners due to the damage and destruction they cause. Call a pest control service at the first sign of a rodent infestation.
While spotting a rodent scurrying across the floor is the most obvious indicator, here are some other signs of a rodent infestation:
Droppings around the house
Rodent droppings throughout the property indicate an infestation. These droppings are most likely to be spotted around the area where they feed, travel, or nest. Some such places include, along walls, behind cupboards, drawers or appliances, inside cabinets, and under sinks.
Holes or gnaw marks
Rodent incisors grow throughout their life. Gnawing on hard surfaces prevents their teeth from growing too long. Holes or chew marks on food packaging, cardboard, drywall, wood, insulation, furniture, and even electrical wires are a clear sign of a rodent problem. The size of a gnaw mark helps determine whether it is a rat or mouse infestation.
Nesting material
Rodents like to nest in concealed and quiet spaces. A rodent infestation is a certainty if there are piles of shredded paper, cardboard, insulation, twigs, cotton, grass, and fabric in a secluded area of the house.
Foul odor
Pungent and stale smells often accompany a rodent infestation. These foul odors are more prominent in enclosed areas. Their urine also has a musky scent that is easy to identify and worsens as the infestation grows.
Strange sounds at night
Rodents are nocturnal, and squeaking, gnawing, scratching, and scampering sounds from the walls or attic after the light goes out is attributed to a rodent infestation.
Tracks and grease marks
Rodents leave grease marks or footprints along the tracks they follow from their nest to the potential food source.
Unusual pet behavior
Pets, including cats and dogs, have an excellent sense of hearing and smell. They can sense a rodent infestation before us. If you notice pets pawing and barking or behaving erratically around specific areas of the home, it could indicate a rodent infestation.
Perils of a rodent infestation
Rodents are filthy creatures known to contaminate food and spread several diseases, including salmonella, rat-bite fever, rotavirus, tapeworms, jaundice, and murine typhus.
Rodents cause severe structural damage to the property. The chewing behavior of rats and mice can lead to holes in the walls, damaged pipes, furniture, and insulation. Rodents can also chew electrical wires leading to short circuits and house fires, making them a fire hazard. They are also known to breed fast and are tricky to catch.
How to control a rodent infestation?
Rodent infestation is hazardous and costs dearly. Get in touch with a pest control service if you notice any of the signs mentioned above. Their expert technician will identify the type of rodent infesting the house and determine the most effective solution to fix the issue. They can also recommend ways to protect the property from future infestations of rodents and other pests.
San Tan Pest And Weed Control offer reliable pest control for residential and commercial customers in Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Lower Santan Village, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Gilbert, and Chandler. Our pest management services control scorpions, ants, termites, bees, wasps, fleas, rodents, cockroaches, weeds, and more. We provide attic and crawl space cleaning and home sealing services to keep pests out. Call us at (480)405-0690.
