10 Signs You Might Need a Rat Exterminator Now

Rats can be sneaky little creatures, making themselves at home in our spaces without us even realizing it. If you've been suspecting some unwanted guests in your home, it might be time to evaluate the signs. In this blog post, we'll go over how to tell if you need to call a rat exterminator to help reclaim your space.

1. Strange Noises in the Walls or Attic

If you've been hearing scurrying or scratching noises, especially at night, it could be a sign of rats nesting in your walls or attic space. These nocturnal creatures are busy when you're winding down for the day, making places like attics and between walls their playgrounds. Ignoring these sounds can lead to extensive damage as rats tend to gnaw at anything they find, including electrical wiring, which can be a fire hazard.

2. Droppings Found Around the House

Rat droppings are small, dark, and pellet-shaped. Discovery of these droppings in corners, along baseboards, or in cabinets is an unmistakable indication that rats have breached your sanctuary. If you spot what you believe to be rat droppings, it's crucial to act quickly as they can harbor harmful bacteria and viruses. Identifying these signs early can significantly reduce the damage and health risks associated with rodent infestations.

3. Gnaw Marks on Furniture or Wires

Rats constantly gnaw to manage the growth of their teeth. If you spot teeth marks on furniture or, more concerningly, frayed wires, these could point to rats trying to make your home theirs. It's not uncommon to find furniture legs or baseboards with these tell-tale signs, indicating ongoing attempts by rats to access hidden spots. In extreme cases, the damages extend to the wiring system, posing significant safety hazards that can disrupt electrical appliances or, worse, spark dangerous electrical fires. Rats essentially treat your home as one large chew toy, highlighting the urgent need to call a rat exterminator.

4. Unpleasant Odors of Unknown Origin

A strong, musky smell that you can't quite place is often caused by rat urine. If you catch whiffs of this odor, it's a good time to check for other signs of rats. Alongside the smell, staining is also common, especially around areas where they frequent. The longer an infestation is left untreated, the more pronounced the scent and damage, making your home an unpleasant environment. Employing proper rodent control strategies from professionals can neutralize these issues efficiently.

5. Nesting Materials Strewn About

Rats love making comfy nests using items such as shredded paper, fabric, or insulation. These materials out of place can signal an unwelcome rat nest nearby. It's common to find these tell-tale nests in quieter, undisturbed corners such as behind appliances or in the basement and attic. Nesting materials might seem innocuous, but they serve as shelter for rat populations to thrive. Spotting these signs early enables you to engage expert pest control services designed to safely remove and prevent future infestations.

If bits of paper and shredded fabric start appearing in odd places, it's a good indicator that there's nesting happening within your walls or underneath floorboards. Rats build their homes using almost anything soft as they need warm and secure places to breed and raise their young. Thus, investing time into organizing your storage and reducing clutter can make it difficult for rats to establish nests. Regular checks in seldom-used areas can help you detect nests early, preventing rats from becoming a permanent fixture in your home.

6. Seeing Rats During the Day

Rats are typically nocturnal, so spotting one in broad daylight can be a sign of a burgeoning population where food and nesting sites have become scarce. Daytime sightings indicate a heavily infested environment where competition for food is high. Under these conditions, rats abandon their usual cautious nighttime activities in favor of risky daylight forages. Consequently, this signals not only an urgent need to implement controlled extermination services but also to assess what factors make your property so attractive to these invaders in the first place.

7. Tracks or Runways Along Walls

Rats often travel the same paths, leaving greasy trails, footprints, or tail marks. Look for these signs along walls, fences, and other structures. The oil and dirt from their fur leave visible tracks and smear marks, demonstrating their preferred routes. Such traces grow darker with time, aiding you in determining areas of high rat traffic in your home. Utilizing flour or talcum powder to capture these prints can reveal the scale of movement, further justifying the need for expert intervention.

8. Pets Exhibiting Odd Behavior

Pets may sense or hear rodents that you can't. Unusual barking, pawing at walls, or alert behavior could suggest furry intruders. Cats and dogs often pick up on movements and noises rats make while hiding in walls or beneath the flooring. If your pet is repeatedly focused on a particular area, it is likely they are detecting something you cannot see. Monitoring your pet's unusual behavior can provide valuable clues about the presence of rats, suggesting it's time to bring in professional services to confirm and control the situation.

9. Increased Insect Activity

A sudden rise in flies or other insects can often trace back to unseen carrion, which might mean a rat has died somewhere hidden. Decaying rats become hubs for insects, which naturally creates a higher population of flies in the vicinity. It's crucial to link increased insect activity to potential rodent issues to prevent the secondary infestations of pest insects. Maintaining vigilance in monitoring for unusual insect activity helps ensure your living space remains hygienic and rodent-free.

10. Bite Marks on Food Packaging

Finding chewed-through food packages in your pantry may indicate rats are feasting on stored groceries, showcasing their persistence in raiding your kitchen. Rats are resourceful and will puncture or tear through paper, plastic, and even cardboard in search of nourishment. This not only means you lose valuable food to contamination but is also a sign of a potentially larger infestation. Implementing proper storage solutions such as using metal or heavy-duty plastic containers can discourage these intrusions.