Mice and rats are everywhere, from busy cities to rural towns. They enter residences through all manner of cracks and crevices, especially in the late fall and winter when the temperature drops. Rodents give away their presence in your home in an assortment of ways, and require professional rodent removal services from licensed exterminators to prevent the spread of disease and other problems.

Top 5 Signs of Rodents in Your Home

1. Droppings

Mice and rats relieve themselves frequently and pay no mind to their location. Solid waste is dark and pellet-shaped, with rat droppings larger than mice waste. Droppings are found in the highest numbers where the rodents feed and nest, often near food in your kitchen or dresser drawers. Let your rodent removal team handle the droppings because they can contain viruses and bacteria.

2. Runways Or Streaks

Mice use the same pathways every day, such as those along walls. Oil and debris from their paws create “runways” or streaks often peppered with urine and droppings. Rodent bladders are weak, so you may notice many streaks of urine if your infestation is severe. Small animals also create “urinating pillars” made of liquid waste, dirt, and grease.

3. Scratching Noises

Unsettling scratching noises emanating from your walls indicate rodent activity. These noises are most prevalent at nighttime when the animals are active. And while you may feel relieved because you cannot see your unwanted guests, know that they could be chewing through electrical wiring. 

4. Gnaw Marks & Other Damage

Gnaw marks on drawer and cabinet corners, tears and holes on bedding, and other fabrics tell you mice and rats are making themselves comfortable in your home. Rodents use fabric pieces, dried plants, and shredded paper among other materials to make nests, which you may find in hidden areas of your home like behind your refrigerator or in a seldom-used closet.

5. Live & Dead Rodents

Rodents may show themselves, again usually at night when their activity level increases. It’s not unusual to see them emerge from behind a stove or fridge, or running along baseboards. Finding dead rodents are also a warning sign of a serious mice or rat problem.

Don’t let these unwelcome guests take over your home — rely on the experienced exterminators at Joy Exterminators for all of your rodent removal needs. Proudly serving Marietta and Beverly, OH, as well as Parkersburg, New Martinsville, and St. Mary's, WV, these exterminators offer insect and rodent removal to keep your home clean and healthy. Call the family-owned company with over five decades of experience today at (740) 473-2739 to schedule an estimate or learn more about their services online.