Finding rats in your home can be scary, but spotting the signs early is key to getting rid of them quickly and effectively. Rats are smart animals that can hide, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any signs that they might be around. In this guide, we’ll look at the most common signs of a rat problem so you can spot it and take care of it before it gets worse.
1.Droppings of Rats:
Rat poop is one of the most clear signs that there are rats in an area. Usually, rat droppings are dark brown or black and look like small, round pellets. You might find them where rats like to hang out, like along baseboards, in closets, and near food.
2.Marks for Gnawing:
Rats have to chew on things all the time so their teeth don’t get too long. Check wooden furniture, baseboards, electrical wires, and even food packages for signs of chewing. Fresh bite marks might look lighter.
3.Weird Sounds:
Rats are nocturnal, so you might hear noises like scratching, running, or squeaking at night. Most of the time, you can hear these noises in walls, ceilings, attics, and crawl areas.
4.Behaviour that can’t be explained:
If your pets quickly start sniffing or pawing at a certain wall or corner, this could be a sign that rats are living there. Pets have good senses, so they may find the mice or rats before you do.
5.Nests and materials for making nests:
Rats use things they find, like paper, cloth, insulation, and even their own fur, to make nests in secret, safe places. If you find shreds of paper in your home, it could mean that rats are living there.
6.Marks of grease:
Rats tend to stick to the same paths along walls and floors, leaving greasy smudges or marks where their fur has rubbed against the surface. These marks can look like dark lines and are often a sign that rats have been there.
7.Bad Smells:
A rat invasion can be shown by a strong, musty smell in certain parts of your home. The smell is especially strong in places like attics and crawl areas that are closed off.
8.Food is missing or the packaging is damaged:
Rats will eat almost anything they can get their mouths on. If you find missing food, food packaging that has been chewed through, or small tooth marks on food containers, this is a clear sign that rats are around.
9.Nests and Digs:
Rats dig holes and burrows all over your land, including in your yard, garden, and even your house. Check for freshly dug holes or entrances to burrows near your house’s base, along exterior walls, and in secluded outdoor areas.
10.Tracks and footprints:
In dusty or dirty places, rat tracks and tail marks are often easy to find. Use a flashlight to shine light on what you think are tracks and look for small prints with tail marks.
11.Changes in how a pet acts:
Rats are known to make cats and dogs act strange. If your pets quickly become more alert or interested in certain areas, it could be because they’ve seen rats.
12.Rats Have Been Seen:
Lastly, if you see a rat running across your floor, walls, or yard, it’s a clear sign that you have a problem. Rats are most busy at night, so seeing one during the day could be a sign of a bigger problem.
If any of these things are happening in your home, it’s important to take action right away. Rats can spread fast, damage your property, and put your family’s health at risk. For effective and safe rat removal, it’s best to talk to a pest control professional. This will make sure that your home stays rat-free and healthy.
Rat Control Oshawa, our technicians have the knowledge as well as years of experience in handling rat problems. Whether it is an infestation or an intrusion, our licensed and fully insured teams of technicians handle the problem swiftly and discreetly.