Signs that rodents are taking up residence in your home
TORONTO, ON September 28, 2021 – As the cooler weather arrives, rodents will begin to look for shelter indoors to escape the cold weather ahead. Abell Pest Control wants to educate homeowners on how to spot the signs of an infestation before it happens. Abell has seen an 20% increase in rodent-related inquires in 2021.
“The stark change in weather and diminishing food sources make homes the ideal spot for rats and mice to hide out and take refuge when fall hits,” said John Abell, President, Abell Pest Control. “Not only do rodents have the ability to damage your property, chew wires, they can potentially expose your family to various diseases that pose a serious health risk.”
To help homeowners spot and stop an infestation before it can take hold, Abell and the National Pest Management Association share signs that rodents could be lurking in your home:
Droppings: Fecal pellets are often left behind in places where food is stored, such as the kitchen, cabinets, or pantries, as well as under sinks, inside cardboard boxes, and along baseboards.
Gnaw Marks: Rodents can chew through almost any material, including plastic and wood to obtain food or water. House mice and Norway rats are also known to gnaw on wires behind walls, increasing the risk of fire in the home.
Nest: Rodents prefer to nest in dark, secluded areas where there is little chance of disturbance. House mice like to build nests from shredded paper products, cotton, wall insulation, and fabrics.
Tracks or Rub Marks: Rats tend to leave dark grease or dirt marks from their oily fur along walls and floorboards as they follow a trail throughout the home between their nest and food.
Strange Noises: Hearing strange noises in the wall can most likely be attributed to a family of rodents scurrying about the house, between the walls, and up in attics. Rodents love dark, secluded spots to build nests.
An Actual Rodent: Mice can breed rapidly, so if you spot one, there likely are more. A female house mouse can give birth to a half dozen babies every three weeks, up to 35 young per year.
Abell Pest Control is a North American leader in pest control, hygiene, and disinfection services offering businesses and homeowners effective, safe, and dependable services since 1924.
