If you live here in Southern California, then rodents can be a real concern. Rats and mice thrive here, thanks to our moderate weather, and easy access to food and shelter. And unfortunately, these pests often make their way into our homes to start a family. What’s worse is that it can take months to even discover a rodent infestation in a house, especially if you aren’t vigilant or aware of the signs that mice or rats have claimed a stake in your home.
And that’s precisely what we’re going to talk about in today’s article: signs of a rodent infestation. Here at Hi-Tech, we’re extermination and rodent exclusion experts, and we know all of the indicators that can reveal a rodent infestation in your abode. Here are a few telltale signs that you can keep an eye out for — and as always, you can count on us for a thorough inspection and rodent exclusion services, if you suspect that these pests have infiltrated your property. Keep a keen eye out for the following signs of an infestation:
Mouse and Rat Droppings
If you notice small droppings around the house, then you have a rodent infestation. Rats and mice leave small pellets of faeces as they skitter throughout a home, and you’ll often find droppings along their most trafficked areas. Look for droppings near food, along the corners of your home (where rodents often scurry), and near potential nesting areas (often dark, quiet, protected spaces).
Bad Odors
Rodents can leave urine odors, and, unfortunately, if they happen to die while they’re in your home, they’ll leave an awful odor. Be wary of those same high-traffic areas that we mentioned, since rodents may urinate along their traveling routes. Also, if you smell an especially foul odor, you may have to have an inspection to locate the source — rodents often die in the walls of homes (gross!), making it difficult to locate them.
Signs of Gnawing
Rodents gnaw on all sorts of things. They can gnaw through trash cans, drywall, food containers, etc. If you notice gnaw marks, especially at ground level, then it’s likely that you have a rodent infestation. Also be wary of holes in your walls — this is an indication that rodents are nesting nearby, and they’re likely to stay in your home if you don’t act. If you notice gnaw marks, it’s time to reach out to an exterminator.
Noises
Oftentimes, you can actually hear rodents, even if you can’t see them. Rodents are most active at night, and you may be able to hear skittering noises in and around the walls of your home. You may even hear noises from the subfloor or ceilings of your home, since rodents tend to prefer to travel along paths in the interiors of your walls of ceilings. Again, if you hear noises, you should call an exterminator to perform an inspection.
Strange Pet Behavior
Your pets may be more sensitive to rodent behavior than we are. If you’ve noticed that your dog is whimpering and sniffing along the edges of your walls, for instance, then you may have a rodent infestation. Similarly, if you have cats that randomly sprint around the house, they may be chasing mice. Do some investigating for yourself if you notice odd behavior, or call an exterminator for a thorough inspection.
Get an Inspection Today
Have you noticed any of these indicators? Then you should act right away before rodents nest in your home. If you live in Los Angeles, San Diego County, or Orange County, you can count on the exterminators here at Hi-Tech for rodent inspections and exclusion services. We’ll make sure that your home is rodent-free, and it remains that way. Reach out to us today to get started!