Rat infestation is a terrible thing. Left unchecked, it can lead to structural damage, as as well as health risks for your family. In short; this is an issue you want to avoid at all costs. Hence why you should secure the boundaries of your house and keep all your food above floor-level. All the better for keeping your property clear of pests like these for a long time to come.
But, what happens if you already think you have a rat infestation? Is there a hole that’s gone unchecked for too long in your external wall? Have you stored food down low until now? These increase the risks that rats will have already made themselves at home. In this instance, your best chance at rat control would be to contact Coventry Pest Control to take care of the problem. The question is, how do you know for sure that this is necessary? By looking out for the following warning signs of rat infestation, of course.
Droppings and other unwanted gifts
In the majority of cases, droppings are the main clue for rat infestation detection. These pointy slithers are a sure sign of unwanted guests. Larger than mouse droppings, there’s no question about whether rats are to blame when you find one of these. Bear in mind, though, that rats do have some sense of toilet hygiene. If you’re suspicious but haven’t seen droppings yet, check in the corners of your cupboards or kitchen. If an infestation is at play, you can bet that you’ll soon find a pile of unwanted gifts from your rat friends.
Giveaway gnaw marks
Rats eat near enough anything that they come across. That’s part of the reason why they’ve received the accolade of pests. They’ll chew through anything, from wires to wood cupboards, to cardboard boxes. That’s why gnaw marks are the next warning of a rat infestation. Again, this may not be something which you notice outright. But, it is worth keeping an eye out for telltale teeth marks, especially around your kitchen area. Don’t ignore that strange hole in the bottom of your cereal box. Don’t overlook the undeniable tooth mark on your fridge cable. Instead, sit up and pay attention to the fact that you’ve got rats at home.
Strange scratching noises
If you’re still in doubt about whether you have an infestation, listen out for strange scratching noises at night. Rats are primarily nocturnal creatures, so it’s possible that you’ll never catch sight of them during the day. As soon as the house falls silent, though, you may hear their claws scratching your kitchen cupboards. Most wild rats are larger than you would think, so they can make quite a racket. You may even find that these strange noises come from above thanks to an attic infestation. Either way, this is a sign that you can’t deny. If you notice it, don’t hesitate to call the professionals. Only then can you clear out your unwelcome squatters once and for all.