Mice and rats can cause significant damage to your house and leave waste behind, but you may never actually see them. If you have a rodent problem at your home, you may only notice some of these more subtle signs.
Damage Caused by Mice or Rats
Rodents will look for entry points to get into your house. If they find a small gap, they may have to chew to make it larger so they can squeeze through and get inside. If you see any signs of chewing on walls or flooring, you may have rodents living somewhere inside your house.
If rats or mice get into your home, they will look for food. If you open a cabinet or drawer and see that packages of food have been chewed, or if you see droppings in or around areas where you store food, those are indications of a rodent problem.
You may also see signs that mice or rats have been traveling throughout your house. Rodents rub against walls and leave behind oily marks.
Rats and mice build nests using fabric, paper, and plant matter. If you notice a pile of such material, you may be looking at a rodent’s nest.
If you have a rodent problem, you may see droppings they left behind. You may also smell a musty odor caused by rodent urine.
Other Signs of a Mouse or Rat Problem
Since rodents are nocturnal, they are active at night. If you hear unusual sounds while you’re trying to sleep, you may have a mouse or rat issue.
You may notice that your pets are acting strangely. If your dog barks for no apparent reason, or if your pet paws at a particular area or seems unusually alert or agitated, it may see, hear or smell a rodent.
Figure Out How Serious the Issue Is
If you suspect that you may have a rodent problem, inspect your home from top to bottom. You may realize that the problem is much more significant than you initially thought it was.
Once you know how serious the issue is, you can figure out how to address it. You may want to purchase bait or traps yourself, or you may have to hire an exterminator to deal with a major infestation.
How to Keep Rodents Out of Your House
Preventing a rodent infestation is much easier than getting rid of mice or rats and fixing damage they have already caused. Check your home’s exterior for small holes and gaps and seal them off. Even if a space seems too small for any type of animal to squeeze through, remember that rodents can identify a tiny gap, then chew the area around it to enlarge the hole so they can fit through.
Rodents and other types of wild animals are attracted to houses where food is available. Keep trash cans tightly covered, bring leftover pet food inside and consider removing or relocating a bird feeder to avoid attracting rodents.
