If you’re a homeowner, a rat infestation is one of the worst things to experience. Rodents are hard to get rid of as they have many hiding spots, and they also cause damage to your food and properties. Many homeowners often need to find out they are being infested with rodents and are ready to learn some common signs of rodent infestation in a home.
What Causes Rats to Come in Your House
Before we go over the signs of infestation, it’s essential to understand what attracts rats to your home. The following are some of the reasons for rat infestation:
Structural damage: If your homes have tiny openings or cracks, you will experience rat infestation. Rodents can access these crevices, especially if they lead to the exterior part of your home. They can get into these hollow spaces and, over time, widen them for more rodents to get into. Usually, these structural damages can be found in your basement or areas with little human activity.
Dirt: Clutter gives room for rodents to hide and reproduce. They make use of clutter to build a nest for their young ones.
Plumbing issues: Damaged plumbing issues are some of the biggest causes of rat infestation. Rodents can use damaged pipes as a passage into your home as long it has no water source.
Food remains: If you are not disposing of your food correctly, you have just created a 5-star hospitality restaurant for rodents in your home. Many people believe as long as the food remains are disposed of in the open, their home (inside) is safe from rat infestation. This is untrue, as rodents will trace the food source to your home with their sensitive sensors and look for more remaining food.
Where do rats hide?
It’s often a wonder to many homeowners that rats have many hiding spots in their homes. You may have searched everywhere for a rodent nest, but have you explored the following places:
Lofts & Attics: Rats can stay in your lofts and attic. Common indicators of their presence are rat droplets or chewed insulations.
Kitchen: Rats love kitchens for many reasons, such as food and many hiding spots to thrive in. We recommend you look behind your stove or dishwasher.
Rats can also hide deep within walls, crawlspaces, garages, garbage cans, gardens, landscapes, gutters, and drainage spaces.
Signs That You Have a Rat Infestation
If you suspect that you have a rat infestation, but you are unsure of your suspicions. The following are common signs confirming rodents’ presence in your homes.
- Rodent Droppings
- Foul odor (Rodent urine or dead rodents)
- Rodent Nests (Usually made from paper, fabric, and clutter in your home)
- Scratch or bite marks on your properties
- Scratching, scampering, and tapping sounds (This noise intensifies at night)
- Small rodent pathways
Why you should hire A&M Pest Control
If you think you have rats, acting quickly to control their population before they pose a health risk to your family is essential. Contact us today at A&M Pest Control to exterminate the rodent infestation in your home.
