One of the best ways to minimize the damage that a rat infestation causes is to detect it early on. In order to do this, you need to be aware of the signs that rats leave around the home.
Signs to keep an eye out for
One of the most common signs that you will find during a rat infestation is the presence of droppings. Rat droppings resemble black grains of rice, and they will usually be grouped up in areas where rats are very active. You have to be careful with these droppings, because they can spread disease pathogens, so when you clean them up, make sure that you wear protective gear and that you disinfect the area once you’re done.
Another sign to keep an eye out for are gnaw marks. Rats have to constantly gnaw on something in order to file their teeth down, which never stop growing. This means that, as an infestation grows, you will start to see these marks on various surfaces in the home including the baseboards and furniture. Rats will also leave trails over pathways that they use consistently. This is because they have a layer of slime on their fur, which is smeared everywhere they travel.
A rarer sign is seeing a rat out in the open. The reason this is rare is because rats will try to avoid detection as much as possible, and they will only travel recklessly when their nests are overpopulated.
Getting the infestation under control
Once you’ve spotted the first signs of an infestation, you should try to get in touch with a pest control specialist as soon as possible. Not only do rats reproduce and reach adulthood very fast, they can also damage the home and spread over two dozen dangerous diseases.
It’s also not recommended to go with the DIY route when it comes to rodent control, because if you do not remove the infestation fully right away, the rats will simply rebuild their nest and repopulate. This is when a pest control company comes in handy. Such a company will have well-equipped experienced pros who can ensure that all the rats are removed from the home and that any rats do not return in the future.
Contact us today if you would like to know more info on how to detect rat infestation, or if you require pest control services.
