How to Tell If Your Home Has Rodents or Wildlife in It

You have to admit that having a rodent infestation in your home is bad. Rodents pack in and mostly never leave on their own accord. They ravage anything they can get their little claws and sharp teeth on. From squirrel damage to raccoon ravage, your furniture, books, upholstery, and electrical wires could be at risk. This is why most people go into a state of panic whenever they feel the presence of these pests. Rodents are carriers of many deadly diseases so they are dangerous in your homes. If you sense the presence of rodents in your home but do not know for sure if it’s really rodents, then check the signs below:

What signs confirm a rodent infestation?

Holes

Rodents love to avoid being sighted. To achieve this, they create small holes from cracks on the walls and use them as entry and exit points. Finding holes in your walls may, therefore, be a sign.

Chew Marks

Rodents like to chew; they’re good at it too. They will chew almost anything from electrical wires to cardboard. If you find small marks on furniture or upholstery, it’s most likely rodents.

Musky Odor

Rodents urinate everywhere. Their presence also has a certain musky odor to it. The longer the infestation persists in a place, the stronger the odor will be.

Rotting Odor

One sure way to know if you have a rodent infestation is the smell that accompanies their death. The worst part is usually the dead rodent is undetectable as they die in their hiding places most times. If you smell a sharp rotting odor, then you likely have a rodent problem.

Erratic Pet Behavior

Pets are very sensitive. Sometimes your cat or dog detects a rodent infestation before you do. If you notice them making weird noises or scratching at walls, then it may be that they sense the presence of rodents and it’s time you investigate.

Rodent Droppings

The droppings are one of the most noticeable signs of a rodent infestation. They can be found along wall lines and corners. It is usually small and brown in color, but District Wildlife Solutions even suggests that rounded vs. pointy end droppings can be used to identify what rodents are lurking. Be sure to wear gloves when disposing of rodent droppings and a mask when cleaning the spaces where they are found. Use disinfectants to clean those surfaces to ensure they are infection-free.

Track marks

It is easy to spot footprints of rodents, especially in areas of the house where dust collects. Their drag marks are visible in these areas. You can try to follow these marks to see where they lead.

Allergic reactions

Allergies can occur due to a number of reasons. The droppings and fur of rats can cause allergic reactions in people. If you have allergies to animals and you start having symptoms anytime you enter your house (if there are no pets around), then you might have a rodent infestation on your hands.