To avoid predators or make nests for their young, rats might seek shelter inside your home. The pests can spread disease and cause severe property damage, which is why you should always be on the lookout for signs of a problem. By identifying a rat infestation as soon as possible, a rodent control provider can begin to take steps to restore the safety and comfort of your home before it’s overrun with unwelcome critters.

3 Indications You Have a Rat Infestation

1. Changes in Pet Behavior

It can be challenging to determine if you need rodent control because rats prefer to move around undetected, often making nests behind walls or under floorboards and only entering living spaces at night to search for food.

Although you might not notice a problem, your pets will. Dogs and cats have a keen sense of hearing and smell. They might gravitate to certain areas where they detect rat activity and make noise or act oddly alert, as if ready to pounce. If you notice your pet looking at the flooring trim or spaces between furniture and appliances, you may have an infestation.

2. Foul Odors

Rodents urinate frequently, and they often leave puddles as they move, using the scent to mark their territory. Males and females also use the smell of urine to identify each other when they’re ready to mate. Since rats urinate everywhere they travel, you might notice a pungent aroma wafting through the house or concentrated in certain areas. The musky stench might turn into a strong ammonia smell as the urine dries and breaks down.

3. Oil Marks on Walls

When rats come out of hiding, they often travel along walls. These rodents have oily fur, and the residue will leave traces on the surfaces they walk over. Check along baseboards, windowsills, and the walls near counters for dark grease stains and dirt spots that appear to form a trail.

If you notice these signs and think your home has a rat infestation, contact the rodent control experts at Aloha Termite & Pest Control in Wahiawa, HI. Since 1999, these professionals have provided Oahu residents and businesses with thorough pest inspections and exterminations. Their dedication to customer satisfaction and quality service has earned them an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau®. Call (808) 622-2268 to schedule rodent control, or learn how to identify common household pests online.