Signs of a Rat Infestation

Nobody likes having rats in their home, so it’s a good thing that there are fairly clear signs of a rat infestation so that you can get rid of these pesky rodents before they cause costly damage. Rats are chronic chewers. They chew through everything — walls, wiring, flooring, insulation, ducting, etc. If a rat infestation gets out of control, it can cost thousands to repair the damage. They also carry dangerous diseases that can cause health issues to people in the home. So, if you see any of these signs of a rat infestation in your home, it’s important to seek professional help right away.

Droppings

A sure sign of rats in your home is their droppings. Rats leave fecal droppings and urine stains wherever they go. Rat droppings are about the size of a grain of rice. If they are recent droppings, they will be dark and moist. If they are older, they will be dry and gray. They are most likely to be found in hidden places like along the walls and corners in the garage, behind stored boxes, under a sink, underneath kitchen appliances, or anywhere near food.

Gnaw Marks

Since rats chew through everything, gnaw marks are another of the more obvious signs of a rat infestation. Look for gnaw marks on wood, food packaging, and wires.

Rub Marks

Rats tend to use the same routes along walls and baseboards, and the dirt and grease on their bodies leave smudges when they brush against surfaces. If you notice these smudges and rub marks, you may have an infestation.

Footprints and Tail Marks

Rats will leave footprints and tail marks if they’re in dusty areas of your home. If you think you have an infestation, you can sprinkle a bit of flour or talcum powder in a suspected traffic area to see if you get footprints as confirmation of your suspicions.

Scratching and Scurrying Noises

You may hear rats in your attic or in your walls. You may hear them in crawl spaces and under decks as they forage for food. You may also hear them grinding their teeth. Noises are signs of live, active rats and should not be ignored.

Smelly Smells

Ras are smelly. Their urine and droppings start to stink up small spaces, and the odor can seep through the walls. If you’ve started to smell something foul, see if you find other signs of a rodent infestation.

Nests

Rats make nests out of any materials they can find to shred … often paper, fabric, or cardboard. If you find a nest you know for certain that there were rats infesting the area. Check to see if the droppings around the nest are fresh. If they are, it’s probably an ongoing infestation.

Dogs and Cats Acting Strangely

Dogs and cats have incredible senses of smell and hearing. They can hear the tiniest scratch and smell rats through the wall. If your dog is sniffing walls and getting agitated, it could mean you have a rodent infestation.

Classic Pest Control and Insulation Can Help

If you see any of these signs of a rat infestation, contact us right away. Classic Pest Control and Insulation provides rodent exclusion, dead animal removal, attic and crawlspace cleanup, pest control, and insulation services. Learn more and schedule a consultation today!