Mouse or rats, they have the same motives, and that is to cause damage in your home and businesses. However, to get rid of them, you must figure out the rodent you are dealing with and identify the problem they can impose. They can contaminate anything they come into contact with, like food, surfaces, and even personal belongings.
In this blog, we will explore the key signs of mouse and rat infestations. You’ll be better equipped to take action to exterminate these rodents lurking in your home.
Before launching your defense, you need to know exactly who you're dealing with.
Mice and rats might both fall under the rodent umbrella, but they have some major differences. Mice are small, 6–10 cm in body, and inquisitive, often bold enough to explore during the day. Their ability to squeeze through the tiniest gaps. They are small, but they can be resilient and resourceful, able to make themselves at home just about anywhere they want. On the other hand, rats are larger, over 20–25 cm in body length, more destructive, and much warier of new environments.
Their droppings, behaviour, and even the size of gnaw marks vary. Recognising these differences early can help tailor your response and choose the right rat pest control service or method to end the invasion.
Recognising the signs of a rodent infestation early can prevent extensive damage. Identifying these marks can make a difference for the comfort of your homes. Read more about “What are rats doing when you hear them scratching” at the ceiling during the night. To give you overviews, the key indicators include:
When you notice small, dark pellets found near food sources or along walls. It means they are in your home. Mouse droppings are less than ¼ inch and pointed, while rat droppings are ½ inch or larger.
It can be shown on furniture, food packaging, and electrical wires. They tend to make holes as their entry points or make nests.
Those dusty or greasy footprints along your walls or baseboards are their frequently travelled paths. These areas are along the edges, nearly on entry points or food sources.
Keeping surfaces clean, sealing gaps, and setting traps in active areas can help stop them in their tracks. Literally!
All the shredded paper, fabric, or insulation they can use to build nests in hidden areas. You should inspect your home, inside and out. These rodents typically nest in hidden corners of the house.
They have stronger teeth and can damage wires, cables, or furniture due to gnawing. Be vigilant about where you store your food , maybe in their next moves they’ll be in your storage.
A strong, musty smell from urine and faeces indicates a rodent infestation. The odour can be persistent in confined spaces like attics or basements.
Rats can be more than just a nuisance they multiply fast, spread diseases, and wreak havoc on your home’s structure. Left unchecked, they can quickly turn a small problem into a costly nightmare. Whether you own or rent, acting fast is the key to keeping your living space safe and pest-free. Our local rat control expert in Sydney can help by inspecting your home, identifying entry points, and applying targeted treatments like safe baits and roof sealing.
Don’t let rats take over, get expert help today and enjoy a home that’s truly yours again.
How to tell if you have a mouse or a rat in your house?
Check the size of the droppings and gnaw marks rat droppings are larger, and so are the marks. Rats are also more cautious and often leave greasy smudge trails. Mice, on the other hand, are smaller and more curious, and their droppings resemble grains of rice.
How to get rid of rats in a house?
Seal up entry points, remove food sources, and use traps or baits carefully. For serious cases, hiring a licensed pest exterminator in Sydney is the safest and most effective option.
What is the best rat repellent?
While peppermint and eucalyptus oil can help deter rats, they're not a guaranteed fix. For a dependable solution, professional rat pest control services offer long-term results using both chemical and non-chemical treatments.