How to Identify Common Signs of Rats and Mice in Your Home

They can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare and an incredibly unpleasant presence in your house, as well as being difficult to spot and eliminate when they are found. Rats and mice can scurry throughout your home, staying in the shadows, often being heard long before they are seen. There are some things to look out for in order to ensure you catch and eliminate these pests before they cause damage to your home.

Inspecting for rodents in your home

As masters of staying hidden, you’ll need to be vigilant for signs of rodents. This is so you can catch the early signs, begin to take preventative measures and provide accurate information to a pest control company about where they’re nesting and feeding. 

So how do you inspect for rodents? Here are our steps to follow:

• Start in the warm, dark and quiet parts of your property, such as in the loft, down in the basement or behind kitchen appliances.

• Pay attention to any areas where food and water sources are available. This can include under the sink, in cupboards and in the pantry.

• Check for small gaps around your floorboards, pipework, ductwork and skirting boards as these can be used for small rodents to squeeze through.

• Remember to keep a torch handy to look for pellet-like droppings.

• See if you can trace any greasy smears or marks on skirting boards to find exit and entry points.

• Keep your nose trained for any ammonia smells, as this can be a sign of rodent urine nearby.

Common signs of rodents in your home

Droppings

Probably the most obvious sign that you have an unwanted lodger or lodgers in your home. They can be quite difficult to spot due to their size, but if you notice a large amount in a certain area, then this is a good indicator as to where they most likely to be. Rats produce around 40 droppings per night and mice around 50/80 per night. The places to check for these are on top of cupboards, or near skirting boards.

Squeaks and other noises

Hearing these noises can be unsettling at best, especially at night time when the house is quiet. It can often be quite difficult to know exactly where the scratching and squeaking is coming from, as rodents move so quickly that it can seem like they are everywhere at once. Black rats are very adept at climbing, so if the noises seem higher up – in a loft, for example – it is more than likely a member of this species, whereas mice tend to stay in lower areas.

Gnawing and damage to food/packaging

Another telltale sign that rats and mice have made a home in your house is gnawing on things like skirting boards, cables and food packaging. It is obviously very important that you throw away any food that has had its packaging gnawed, as it is likely contaminated.

Rub marks

Due to their poor eyesight, rats use familiar routes along skirting boards to help them navigate around houses, and mice use a similar technique too. If you notice long streaks or greasy marks on your skirting boards, this could be because your unwanted guests are using them to find their way around your home.

Strong smell

The frequent droppings and urination of rodents mean that there will be a very noticeable unpleasant smell accumulating in the areas that they congregate in. The longer this is allowed to build up, the longer it can stay even after the infestation has been removed from your home, so it is important to be proactive when dealing with issues like this.

With over 25 years of experience in the industry and a local authority approved member of the British Pest Control Association, Pest Defence are the perfect company to resolve your pest issue in your home or business. From rats and mice to insects, moles and rabbits, we have the skills, equipment and dedication necessary to provide you with an expert solution to your problem. Get in touch today to find out more.