Common Signs of Mice in Your Home - Exterminator Toms River

Common Signs of Mice in Your Home

Seeing a mouse scurrying past you on the kitchen floor is never a welcome sight. However, it’s more common than you may think. Mice, rats and rodents can gain entry to your home via small cracks and holes, seeking out warmth, shelter, and food. If you aren’t quite sure you have rodents living among you, check out these common signs that you have mice, rats or rodents.

Foul Odor

A bad odor is one of the first signs, usually picked up on by your pets, such as cats and dogs. They may get excited in areas where the presence of rodents has been detected, so if you see your pet suddenly pawing at a specific area, take a closer look for signs of mice and rats. If you smell an ongoing stale odor emanating from hidden areas, this is a red flag for active infestation and you should call an professional exterminator Toms River NJ.

Gnaw Marks

New gnaw marks are light in color and get darker with age, found on food packaging or within the structure of the house itself. You can determine age of the gnaw marks by comparing new samples with older ones you already know about. If the newer marks are lighter in color, this means you have an ongoing infestation. The marks can also illustrate whether you are dealing with rats or mice, as rats typically leave larger gnaw marks than mice.

Rodent Droppings

New rodent droppings are dark and moist, getting dry, crumbly and gray with age. You may spot droppings near packages of food, in drawers or cupboards, in hidden areas, and under sinks. The greatest number of droppings will be where they are currently nesting or feeding.

Nests

Mice prefer materials like shredded paper, fabric, or dried plant matter to make up their nests. They also love bedding, clothing and insulation. If you see evidence of nests, along with any of the above signs, you likely have an active infestation. The only way to know for sure is to have a professional exterminator come out and take a look.

Tracks and Runways

You will spot a series of runways and tracks when rodents are active in or around your home. They will be very distinctive at first, and then get fainter as time goes on. Take a flashlight or blacklight to the suspected area and aim it, looking for footprints, smudge marks, urine stains and droppings. If you aren’t quite sure about rodents being in a particular spot, apply a thin layer of baby powder on the surface. Then, if rodents run across it, they will leave a trail of evidence.

Contact Cavanaugh’s Professional Termite and Pest Services

Did you know the typical house mouse can produce three litters each year with up to 12 offspring per litter? They carry disease and make nests in your walls and attic, chewing through wires and anything else they can get their teeth on. If you suspect a rodent problem in your home, contact us right away so we can provide a timely solution.

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