Where there is ONE RODENT, you will find MORE RODENTS. Rodents start becoming more of a nuisance as the weather turns cooler so watch out! They are seeking warm, comfortable places like YOUR HOME! Even though you can see signs of rodents, like their droppings, many people underestimate the size of the population and infestation. Here are some signs to look for:
DROPPINGS: New droppings are shiny and like putty in texture while old ones are hard and crumbly. Varying sizes of the droppings indicate both juvenile and adult rodents are present.
GNAW MARKS: When they are done by mice, the holes are small and clean cut. Gnaw marks from rats result in holes that are big with rough, torn edges.
RUB MARKS: These are left when rodents travel along walls and the dirt in the environment combines with the oils in their skin.
FAVORITE RODENT PATHWAYS: Window sill ledges, fence rails, foundations, electrical wires, pipes, and conduits.
BURROWS: Norway rats, commonly known as brown rats, nest in borrows that are usually 4 to 5 feet in the ground in areas where there is lots of protective vegetation.
A family of 6 mice can expand to 50 to 60 mice in only 90 days! A Norway rat can gnaw through a lead pipe and cause significant damage. Rats have extremely hard teeth that can bite six times per second and exert a force of up to 7,000 pounds per square inch. Rodents are nocturnal and typically feed at night. If you see them in the daytime, this is usually a sign of a large infestation.
Be extremely wary if you see a rat, for they can vertically jump nearly 2 feet from a standstill. When running, they can jump horizontally 3.5 feet! As the writer of this blog, don’t worry, I’ll be sprinting away from ANY type of rodent I see!!