Signs of Rodents
Noises in walls or vents:
When rodents are inside your walls, they may feel safe enough to make a little more noise than usual. You might notice the sound of a rodent working its way up or down through your wall voids, or hear chewing inside ventilation ducts or dryer exhaust lines. You could hear scraping, clawing, bumping, or chewing noises in hidden areas. Most of the time, however, they’ll stay quiet — even in locations that provide relative safety.
Your pet is acting funny:
You may not be able to hear mice and rats, but your dog or cat can. The subtle sounds made by rodents inside hidden areas don’t escape a pet’s acute hearing. If you notice your cat crouching and staring under the cabinets, or your dog pacing around and acting strangely, you may have a rodent problem.
You find rodent droppings:
One of the first signs most homeowners notice are the small black droppings that mice and rats leave behind — because they leave feces everywhere they roam. You may find them under the sink, on pantry shelves, or sprinkled across attic insulation.
- You can tell if you have an active infestation by inspecting these pellets. Fresh droppings will be black and squishy. (If you’re brave enough to check, use a pencil or another tool — rodent droppings can carry disease.)
- You discover holes:
Rodents chew holes to get into homes, move from wall voids to pantries, and access stored furniture or boxes. The food packages in your kitchen or pantry aren’t the only things they’ll gnaw through.
- If you see holes in places where there shouldn’t be any — especially if they’re larger than a half-dollar — there’s a good chance you have rodents in your home. Rodents have long incisors that never stop growing, so they must constantly gnaw to file them down. For this reason, they chew on many objects in your home — they simply can’t help it.
- You find nests:
If you suspect a mouse or rat infestation, checking your attic for nests is a great place to start. Mice and rats often build nests in attics because they’re secluded and warm. Look for building materials that have been gathered and matted down, and check for droppings nearby.
Be sure to wear a mask during your inspection — some rodents are strong carriers of hantavirus, which can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a potentially fatal respiratory illness.
Epcon Lane Can Help With All of Your Rodent Problems
If you’re noticing signs of a rodent infestation in your home, it’s best to take action quickly. You may be tempted to try DIY methods such as traps or poisons, but these can be dangerous and ineffective over time. While you may catch a few rodents, the rest will quickly learn to avoid traps or bait stations. Even worse, using poisons can pose serious risks to your pets or children.
Mice and rats are dangerous pests to have inside your home. They spread disease, damage belongings and structural materials, and their constant chewing can sever electrical wiring — potentially causing a house fire.
It’s always best to have this problem handled by a licensed rodent control professional. For effective, professional rodent control in Akron, reach out to Epcon Lane. We offer industry-leading residential and commercial pest control solutions throughout the Greater Akron area.
Let us help you make sure your home is safe from rodents and other unwanted pests. Call Epcon Lane today to learn more about our rodent control options.
