So I was walking around my house the other day and I heard noises in my wall. Well, I thought I did. It turns out that it was just a branch hitting my window and making a tapping noise. But, that got me thinking about possible rodent infestations. Specifically, rat infestations. So today we’re going to talk about identifying rat droppings.
Rat Droppings: Identifying Them
The reason you want to be able to identify rat droppings is simple. Early identification of a problem is key, and will lead to way less of a headache down the line.
With a flashlight, examine dark areas, such as behind appliances and in cupboards or closets, where rodents like to hide. And be sure to look up, down and all around for signs where rodents travel.
A good inspection will help you determine:
- The type of rodent – is it a house mouse, Norway rat or roof rat?
- The severity of the problem
- Where they eat, travel, and nest
- The cause of your problem – whether it’s poor sanitation, available food, or water
- The best type of rodent control product to use and where to place it for success
When it comes to the actual droppings, rat droppings are half an inch or larger. Norway Rat droppings are blunt at both ends, while Roof Rat droppings are have pointed ends. New droppings are shiny and putty-like in texture, while old ones are hard and crumbly. Varying feces sizes indicate that juveniles and adults are present, and lots of droppings may be an indication of a large infestation. The location of the droppings indicates active areas where you should place bait or traps.
What To Do?
When you find out you have an infestation, the best thing to do is to contact a professional pest control specialist. There’s not much that a layman can do, and you risk letting the infestation get worse.