Well, the summer’s over and fall is slowly moving in. It may be hot as it’s ever been outside, but eventually, it should cool down. And when that colder weather comes, that’s when pests move inside. And I’m not just talking about bugs, either. Winter rats are a problem all over the U.S., that’s why today we’re going to go over some signs of infestation and what to do if you find one.
Winter Rats: Infestation Overview:
At the right place and right time, most people could probably be convinced of this rodent being cute. But that doesn’t really fly when the winter rats are an uninvited guest in your home. The first thing to look out for when it comes to these oversized pests is droppings.
Rodent droppings are a sure sign that rats or mice are present, and will indicate the type of rodent, the size of the infestation, and where they are most active. Mouse droppings are small, less than one-quarter inch, and pointed on both ends. 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.
And we’re not out of the toilet just yet. Rodent urine has a strong and musky odor. So if you have a large infestation, your nose will certainly be part of the alarm system here.
Rubbing and gnaw marks are the third biggest tell. Oily rub marks are left in places where the rats run along the wall. If they smear, you know that it’s fresh. Gnaw marks on woods are also a typical sign since rodents constantly gnaw to keep their teeth length in check.
What To Do?
Well, if you have a winter rat infestation there’s not much you can do. You’ll have to make a call to a professional pest control specialist. Go out of your way to find one that uses natural methods if you can, since chemical pest control is not only cruel- but dangerous.