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If you already suspect that you have a rat infestation in your home, then you most probably do. You are just looking for a confirmation sign. Pests like rats are capable of causing numerous troubles to homeowners in Australia. However, they are nocturnal creatures that prefer to avoid humans, so most often, you won’t encounter them. Instead, you will spot what they have left behind. We have prepared this guide to help you identify the signs of a rat presence and act quickly before the rat infestation has spread. Signs of rat infestationAre you troubled by a possible rat infestation in your home? Don’t worry – we are here to help. Here are the seven key signs that will help you identify a rat infestation: Scratching noisesWhen there’s a rat in the house, it’s more likely that you will hear it before you see it. Scratching noises are a ubiquitous sign of rodents, especially during the night. Black rats, for example, the most common species in Australia, are known to be excellent climbers, and they tend to lurk in attics. Also, if you have pets in the house, they will probably know of the rat’s presence before you do. Dogs and cats have a more sensitive hearing than humans, and they are likely to hear the rat first and chase them around. Rat droppingsAnother major sign of rats is their droppings. Rats can produce up to 40 droppings per night, and usually, you can find those in concentrated areas where they feed or nest. Watch out for rat droppings near food storages such as pantries and cupboards, as wells as under sinks or in hidden corners. Keep in mind that rat droppings differ from mice ones. Rat droppings tend to be around 10-16mm long, dark brown or black, resembling large rice grains. Gnaw marksGnawing is another visible sign that indicates a rat infestation. Rodents need to sharpen their teeth regularly, so wild rats do it by gnawing furniture, walls, cables or pipes when nesting in a property. Gnaw marks can also help you determine whether you are dealing with rats or mice. Larger marks mean larger teeth; therefore, you can expect that wild rats cause them. Rat burrowsWhile black rats tend to climb, brown rats are known to dig extensive burrow systems. They usually build them near solid objects or structures and use them as a shelter where they store food and nest. You can find burrows in gardens, garages, under decking or compost piles. Rat nestsRats are animals that nest. They use available soft items such as paper, different fabrics, dried plants, cardboard or any other shredder material they can find to build nests. Those are usually located in warm and hidden places near the rodents’ food source. Therefore it is worth checking near your kitchen or behind and under appliances such as fridges, dishwashers and dryers. Rat nests can be also found in lofts, under eaves and in cavity walls. Rub marks and footprintsRats have very poor eyesight, so they use established routes. Due to this, grease and dirt from their bodies can leave dark marks or smudges over the surfaces they repeatedly pass by. Additionally, rats can leave footprints and tail marks on dusty areas. By using a flashlight at a low angle, you can reveal their tracks easily. To determine whether an infestation is active, sprinkle a thin layer of flour or baby powder on the floor near the prints and check for fresh marks on the next day. Foul odourAnother sign that pets can detect before you do is the foul odour accompanying a rat infestation. Cats and dogs can become unusually active around areas where they haven’t shown much interest up until now. This is because they will be can smell the rodents’ urine. In places without much ventilation, you will also be able to smell the distinctive musky scent. If you see your pet pawning around a specific area or you detect an unpleasant odour, you should examine the area and contact a pest control company. Where do rats live?Even though wild rats prefer to avoid humans, they like to nest in houses as they provide them shelter with easy access to food and water. If you suspect a rat infestation and want to check for signs of rats, here are the most common places where you can find these rodents both inside or outside your house. Where do rats live inside the house?
Where do rats live outside the house?
What to do if you have a rat infestation?If you have already noticed the presence of rats in your home or office, don’t wait for it to get worse. Rats multiply rapidly, and just a few rats can quickly become a large infestation. Moreover, rats carry numerous diseases that can pose great danger to the health of your family or co-workers. Watch out for any of the above-mentioned signs, and remember that acting at the first sign is crucial. If in doubt, contact a pest control company. Getting rid of rats yourself can be a nasty business. Avoid killing the animal when it is inside your home unless you want to be left with a smelly and very unpleasant problem. If the rat population is small, you might be able to control the infestation with traps and baits. However, if the population size is larger, you will need to contact professionals and let them solve the problem for you. Reduce the health hazard for your family! Contact us and let us help you with the rat infestation.Contact us How can you tell a rat hole?So, what does a rat hole look like? The entrance to a rat's burrow is typically 2 to 4 inches across. Active burrows have smooth walls and the dirt is hard-packed with loose dirt fanning out at the entrance. The entrance will also be clear of debris and spider webs.
How do you find rat holes in your house?Rats like to burrow next to solid structures like walls. Garages - check for gaps around door frames or holes gnawed at the bottom of wooden doors. If you have an integral garage check around the internal door as well, and any vents that could give entry into other internal areas.
What's the difference between a mouse hole and a rat hole?Gnaw Marks or Holes
Gnawed mouse holes are small, about the size of a dime, and have even edges. Gnawed rat holes are large, about the size of a quarter, with rough edges.
What does a rat hole in a wall look like?A rat hole has a circular opening of about 2-4 inches in diameter and usually has smooth walls. Active rat holes are likely to have a clean entrance since rats will also eat the debris around them. Inside, the wall is smooth due to grease marks.
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