How to Identify a Rodent Infestation

As we head into the winter months, rodents seek shelter indoors, and homes are an excellent place for them. It may only take a few days for you to notice an infestation in many situations. Rodents reproduce quickly. Female mice give birth to up to 60 pups a year and have a new litter every three to four weeks. Since housing a community of tiny newborn rodents is one of the last things on a homeowners to-do list, here are the signs indicating you have a rodent infestation:

Droppings

Check for tiny brown or black rice-sized droppings found in cupboards, the attic, bookshelves, and other areas throughout the home. Rats and mice leave small droppings while scampering in your residence, which leads to potential health concerns. These little critters fit through tight spaces such as cracks in the walls or ceiling, under crawl spaces, and behind the kitchen walls and other household appliances. Droppings spotted anywhere throughout the home indicate you have a pest problem. 

Small footprints or trails

If you’ve held off on dusting some less used areas of the home, finding tiny animal tracks or tail trails also indicates the presence of rodents. You will have a more difficult time spotting rodent tracks in your home in areas that are regularly dusted or vacuumed. Don’t take this as a reason to put the cleaning supplies away. Regularly cleaned spaces make it harder for rodents and other pests to find food sources in your home. 

Unusual sounds

Rats, mice, and many other rodents are nocturnal. So, hearing scratching or squeaking in the night is familiar with infestations. In addition, these gnawing mammals often search for food in the wee hours while you’re asleep, so the likelihood of spotting one becomes heightened. That said, strange noises in your walls, attic, basement, or any other area of the house should alert you that you have company.

Your pets are acting weird

There’s a reason for the phrase “to play a game of cat and mouse.” This suspenseful game between your kitty and whatever is hiding beneath the furniture will have your pet acting a bit funny. Are they suddenly laser-focused on an area of the wall, under your appliances, or elsewhere? If so, you probably have pests. Dogs are also sensitive to intruders. If they just started barking, whining, or growling for no reason, pay attention to their gaze, and you will find where the invader is hiding. 

Most homeowners loathe the idea of unwanted guests, and in the case of rodents, that feeling intensifies. Fortunately, getting rid of rodents is even easier than attracting them. Since most wildlife spread disease or harmful bacteria, leave the pest control to a professional. Not only will you be able to sleep more peacefully at night, but you also won’t have to worry about what’s potentially crawling around in your home when you’re not looking. In the end, the only one that misses out is the cat. 

Kinder Safe Pest Solutions offers 17 years experience in commercial and residential pest control serving Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties. Call (941)254-2180 today!