Rat, mice, and squirrel infestations can be extremely destructive to your home, from transmitting highly infectious diseases to causing costly electrical and property damage. However, a rodent’s small stature and evasive nature allows many infestations to go unnoticed until it’s too late. Luckily, there are a few signs of a rodent infestation that you can look out for to tell when you need the help of a professional rodent removal service.
5 Signs of a Rodent Infestation
- Rodent Droppings. The most obvious sign of a rat infestation is the presence of rodent droppings in your home. Fresh rodent droppings are dark brown and moist, but will shrivel over time into gray crumbles. These droppings are most often found near food sources, such as packaging and cupboards, and common rodent shelters, like underneath sinks and cupboards. If you find rodent droppings in your home, be sure to inspect the surrounding area for any nests.
- Chewing and Bite Marks. Rodents often bite through walls and packaging in an attempt to find food. Inspecting cardboard boxes and drywall for signs of gnawing could reveal a hidden rodent infestation. If you’re curious whether you’re dealing with a rat or a mouse, the rule of thumb is “The bigger the bite, the bigger the rodent.”
- Rat Runways and Tracks. While rodents are evasive, they’re not completely undetectable. Rats and mice tend to follow the same paths between their food sources and nests, often leaving behind small footprints and “runways.” Professional rodent removal technicians can spot rodent paths with the naked eye, but anyone can test for runways by sprinkling flour in suspected areas of egress and checking them for tracks the following day.
- Stale Smells or Odors. Rodents are smelly critters. Not only do their droppings create a distinct odor, but their urine has a similar scent to ammonia. Dead decomposing rodents also leave an overwhelmingly foul smell that can linger in your home for up to several weeks. Rodents are also foraging animals, meaning the food they collect has the potential to spoil in or around their nests. If you smell any distinctly “off” odors in your home, it may be best to contact a rodent removal service.
- Strange Pet Behavior. Sometimes your furry friends know your home even better than you do. A sudden change in behavior from your cat or dog can signal the presence of mice, rats, squirrels, or other small vermin. If your pet experiences abrupt bouts of barking or has a new interest in an area they hadn’t before, it may be best to contact a professional rodent removal service to inspect your home for intruders.
Effective Rodent Removal Services in Central Florida
If your Central Florida property is overrun with nuisance rodents, then rely on the professional animal removal experts at Critter Control® of Polk County. Whether you have an existing rodent problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on us for safe and effective services. To schedule an inspection for your Polk County home or business and receive a free rodent removal estimate, call us today at 863-204-2815.