Signs You Have a Rodent Problem in Your Home
Having rodents in your home can be frustrating and even frightening, but what you may not realize is it’s also dangerous. Mice and rats are not “friendly fellow residents.” They carry bacteria, disease, and can damage your home in significant ways.
So how can you tell you might have rodents? Here are some of the tell-tale signs that it’s time to call a pest control company.
A Musky Odor
Rodents in your home will create nests, leave waste, and more. They will probably also die in some far back corner of your home or even behind the wall. All of their activity results in a noticeable musky odor throughout your home.
If you notice an odd odor and you can’t pinpoint where it’s coming from, look for other indications that you have a rodent problem. That can help you determine that mice or rats are the cause of the issue.
Droppings
One of the most obvious signs of rodents is droppings. You can see them anywhere. Be sure to pay attention to corners and holes in the wall. You may also find them in the attic, in a crawlspace, in cabinets, or even under the bed.
When you see droppings, be sure to clean up and disinfect the area carefully. There could be any number of bacteria or diseases in the feces, including salmonella or hantavirus.
Droppings will small, resembling grains of rice. They will be larger if you have rats and smaller for mice. If you see these, you need to call a local pest control company right away!
Indications of Chewing
Rats and mice chew everything. They are looking for food and they also chew in order to create nesting materials. If you see signs that something has chewed items in your home, rodents are probably to blame.
Anytime they get into food, that food is no longer safe for you or your family. Even if they haven’t eaten it themselves, the fact that they climbed into the package means the germs they carry have contaminated the food.
You may also see signs of chewing on your walls, in your attic or crawlspace, or in the basement. This is a sure clue that you need to call a pest control company for help with a rodent problem.
Sounds or Sightings of Rodents
Sometimes people enjoy having kids because of the pitter-patter of little feet… but other times, the pitter-patter of small feet is much less welcome. If you’ve heard scratching or skittering above your head at night, it’s not a good sign.
You might also see a mouse or rat run across the floor, which is very startling. Not only that, everywhere they run they spread the possibility of disease.
Seeing a live mouse or rat is a sure sign that you have an infestation, so be sure to contact a pest control company for help.
A Pest Control Company Can Help With Rodents
If you find that you have rodents in your home, you don’t have to panic. Instead, contact a local pest control company. At West, we have over three decades of experience providing pest control for customers in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
If you find that you have a rodent problem, let us help. Contact us today to find out what we can do!
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