Six Signs of a Rodent Infestation in Your Home
Rodents are unwelcome visitors that sneak into homes in search of food, water, and shelter, especially when seasons change or there is a sudden change in the weather. Knowing the warning signs of a budding rodent infestation can help you avoid costly damage and health risks. In this blog, we’ll discuss six key indicators to watch out for that will help you identify a rodent infestation in your home so that you can take early action before things go out of control! For additional information about rodent infestations or to get a free estimate on a rodent control service in New Orleans, please contact our team at Pied Piper Pest Control Inc. today!
1. Rodent Droppings
A telltale sign of a rodent infestation is the presence of their droppings. The size of the droppings can vary depending on the rodent: mouse droppings are small, dark, and shaped like grains of rice, whereas rat droppings are larger and more cylindrical. Fresh droppings are dark and moist, and suggest recent activity, while older droppings dry out and turn lighter in color. Typically, rodent droppings are found near food sources, along the walls, or in hidden areas like in attics or within cabinets. If you notice fresh droppings, this means rodents are actively in your household and need to be dealt with immediately.
2. Gnaw Marks and Damage
To keep their growing teeth in check, rodents tend to constantly gnaw on wood, wires, baseboards, etc. These gnaw marks usually appear as small, oddly shaped holes or scratches on baseboards, furniture, and electrical wires. Besides the damage to your items, the exposed electrical wires pose a serious threat to your house, increasing the risk of dangerous electrical malfunctions or fires.
3. Unusual Noises
Most rodents are primarily active at night and oftentimes make scratching, squeaking, and scurrying sounds inside the walls, ceilings, or attic. Hearing these sounds after dark is a common sign of infestation, alerting you that rodents are moving around your home whilst you sleep.
4. Nesting Materials
Rodents create nests out of soft, shredded materials like paper, fabric scraps, insulation, and dried plants. These nests tend to be in quiet, hidden areas like attics, inside walls, behind appliances, etc. These nests provide warmth and comfort and create a safe place for these rodents to breed and give birth to their young ones. If you find one of these nests in your home, you likely have a rodent infestation.
5. Foul Odors
A strong, unpleasant odor could be a sign of the presence of rodents, caused by their urine and droppings. This foul ammonia-like smell is often noticeable in areas like attics, basements, behind appliances, in pantries, etc., and can be a sign that rodents are likely nearby.
6. Pet Behavior
Most pets can sense rodent activity and usually share this information through behaviors like scratching at walls or barking at hidden areas, thus alerting homeowners that they may have a potential rodent infestation.
Contact Pied Piper Pest Control Inc. for Rodent Extermination in New Orleans!
If you are experiencing a rodent infestation in your New Orleans area home or business, please contact our team at Pied Piper Pest Control today for a free pest control estimate! We have years of experience dealing with mice & rats and will solve your rodent problem quickly, efficiently, & affordably! Call us at (504) 366-1333 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!