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If you hear mysterious scratching in your walls or find gnaw marks around your house, there’s a likelihood you have rats in your home, but how do you know if this is a one-off issue or full-blown infestation? Before consulting with a rodent control specialist, keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs.

How to Identify a Rat Problem

1. Teeth Marks

Apparent chewing is an easy way to tell if you have rodents lingering in and around your house. Rats tend to leave teeth gnawings around ⅛ inch in length, and they also gnaw rough entrances to their nests that are about the diameter of a quarter. If you suspect an issue in your home, pay close attention to bite marks on wood awnings and wiring made of lead or aluminum.

2. Smudges

rodent controlDue to their poor eyesight, rats are more likely to maneuver alongside sturdy structures like walls, ledges, and pipes. Their fur’s oil and dirt will leave dark smudges along routes they regularly travel. You can tell if a rat has recently been nearby if these markings come off easily when you touch them.

3. Nesting Material

Rats easily adapt to indoor and outdoor environments. Keep an eye out for shredded cardboard, leftover insulation, or other soft materials used to build their nests. These rodents prefer to reside in your home’s attic, cellar, and walls to keep their young warm and dry. Outside, you can find burrow tunnels around discarded garbage or alongside your home’s foundation, where they have close access to food sources.

4. Waste

An apparent indicator that you should call rodent control is seeing a significant increase of droppings in and around your home. Rats produce pointy, grain-like waste pellets about a half-inch in length, although you could see them in various sizes if adults and adolescents are present. Instead of scattering waste around like mice, rats group theirs together in small piles.

 

If you need rodent control in your home, contact Dick’s Fumigation Services. They deliver pest control solutions for commercial and residential clients across the entire island of Maui, HI. With over 65 years of experience, their technicians use natural repellents, spot treatments, and tent fumigation to target unwanted critters like termites, silverfish, centipedes, and rats. For a free estimate, visit their website or call (808) 244-7496.

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