Rat Problem: How Can You Tell If You Have Rats?

Could you have pests hiding in your home and not know?

That’s what happened to one of our customers recently. It turns out that she had a big rat problem in her attic, and she didn’t see the signs until she actually saw a rat skittering across her kitchen floor one night.

Rats and mice are pesky rodents that like to make your home into their home as well. How can you tell if rats have invaded your home—before it’s too late? And what should you do if you think these rodents have come to stay?

Here are some of the signs that you might have a rat problem.

Rat Droppings

Rat droppings are probably the easiest way to spot a rat or mouse problem in your home.

That’s because, let’s be honest, rats poop a lot! Did you know that an average rat can defecate up to 50 times per night? And they’re not good about covering their tracks. You can spot rat droppings on the floor and in cabinets, where rats like to hide.

They could be in your kitchen (where the food is), as well as bathrooms, attics, crawl spaces, and sheds.

If you do come across rat feces in your home, then be sure to not inspect it with your bare hands. The droppings may contain the virus Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Put on gloves or use a dustpan to get rid of them.

Scratching Noises

Thankfully, weird noises coming from in your walls, the ceiling, or cabinets doesn’t mean your home is haunted (usually)!

In fact, this is a sure sign that you have a rat problem. Of course, rats certainly are a terror in their own right!

Black rats are excellent climbers and love to make your attic their home. Brown rats, on the other hand, usually stay on the ground and live in places such as under your deck, patio, or crawl space.

Incriminating Footprints

Look for footprints in dirt or dust under the patio or porch. If you think you have them inside, then set a flour trap by dusting a coat of flour on the floor before bed.

Tiny prints are sure evidence of a mouse or rat problem. If you don’t have any pets, then look for anything that has disturbed dust or the flour trap. You may not see prints as much as tracks, or lines, left behind.

Chewing Damage

A rat’s teeth grow continuously, and rats need to chew and gnaw to keep their teeth filed down.

If you notice chew marks on wood or cables inside of your house, it’s a clear sign of a rat infestation. You might also notice items inside your kitchen have been chewed through, such as cereal boxes.

A Rat Problem Is a Real Problem

Rats are known hosts of parasites that can spread to your pets. They also spread diseases such as Hantavirus, listeria, rat-bite fever, and salmonellosis. The spread of the plague has been attributed to rats, and there has been evidence of that even recently in the US.

In addition to the health problems rats pose, they are also a major nuisance. Rats are known to chew through trash bags, create holes in walls, and even bite through cables. If not caught early on, they can cause a lot of mess and damage.

Rid Your Home of Your Rat Problem

If you suspect that you have a rat infestation, it’s important to take steps quickly!

Budget Brothers will do the dirty work and crawl through attics and under porches to search for rats. Contact us today or call us at 602-253-2495 for help.

If we find them, we will get rid of them quickly so you can once again sleep soundly