The first thing to look for is a nest, and rodents will use fabric, shredded paper, or dried plant matter to build their nests. Other signs of a current rodent presence include fresh droppings, gnawing, and tracks. When you see these signs, it is probably time to call a professional exterminator. These signs are often very obvious, and will help you identify the culprit in your home.
Your pets may be alerting you to a possible infestation. Strange behaviour in your pets can indicate a rodent problem. They may start searching for mice in the wall, or they may even hear scratching sounds in the walls. If you notice your pet displaying any of these behaviours, you should take note of the behaviour and look for rodents. You may also notice a foul odour coming from the nest.
Besides nests, the most noticeable sign of a rat infestation is the presence of gnawing marks. The tracks of a rat are distinct and can be easily detected with a flashlight or blacklight held at an angle toward the suspect area. Occasionally, rats will make smudge marks on various surfaces. You can even trace gnaw marks with baby powder or flour. If you can’t detect these signs, contact a local pest control service for an inspection.
If you see signs of gnawing, chewing, or droppings in your home, you likely have a rodent infestation. You should also keep a lookout for nests in your rafters and cabinets, and listen for squeaking. You can also use steel wool to plug holes. When detecting a rodent infestation, you can fill gaps with steel wool or remove the food or water sources. Remember to place the garbage in sealed containers and to turn your compost pile regularly.
If you notice discoloured areas on your walls, it’s likely that mice are gnawing and chewing on these surfaces. And remember, the longer the rodents stay in a home, the more damage they will cause. If you’re worried about rodents getting in through damaged pipes, consider Drain Lining from a site like https://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/news/drain-lining-no-dig-repair/
An obvious sign is droppings. These are typically small and dark brown. The size varies from species to species, but they are almost identical. Mice droppings are roughly a quarter of an inch in length and taper on both ends. Rat droppings are larger and longer than mice droppings and are rounded or oblong in shape. Lastly, look for gnaw holes in thin materials.