You might think that if you’re seeing droppings, gnawed wires, or chewed food in your kitchen, it is because of a rat or mouse infestation.
Rats and mice are two of the most common pests in your house.
Rodents tend to chew through wood, insulation, and electrical wires, which can cause a lot of damage to your home.
They can be found in any environment but prefer dark, moist areas near food sources such as garbage cans or sewers.
Rats and mice can be a real nuisance and they can also pose a health risk to you and your family if they’re not dealt with quickly.
So, read on if you suspect rats and mice lurking in your kitchen!
How do you tell if you have mice or rats in your kitchen?
You’re aware or think that there are rodents in the house, but how can you identify whether you’re dealing with mice or rats?
Use their distinct markers to determine which rodents are present, even though they share common symptoms.
1. Aspect:
Rats are larger than mice, with coarse red, brown, gray, or black fur and a long, scaly, hairless tail (depending on the species).
An adult rat can grow to be 11-19 inches long (including the tail) and weigh anything between 12 and 1 pound.
Mice have small black eyes and big ears. They have fine black, gray, or brown fur with a hairless tail that is 3-4 inches long.
Mature mice reach a length of around 6-7 inches (including the tail) and weigh 12 to 1 ounce.
2. Droppings:
Rodent droppings are sure evidence that rats or mice are present, and they will reveal the species of rodent, the amount of the infestation, and the most active areas.
To identify the droppings according to the animal, it is important to know:
- Mouse droppings are little, measuring less than 14 inches in length and with pointy ends on both ends.
- Rat droppings are 12 inches or larger.
- The ends of Norway Rat droppings are blunt, but the ends of Roof Rat droppings are pointy.
Different feces sizes indicate the presence of juveniles and adults, and a big number of droppings could suggest a large infestation.
The position of the droppings denotes active regions where bait or traps should be placed.
3. Gnawed Holes:
Mouse holes that have been gnawed are small, transparent, and about the size of a dime.
Rat holes that have been gnawed are huge, roughly the size of a quarter, and have rough ripped edges.
4. Nests.
Mice will build their nests indoors by shredding paper, string, and other pliable materials.
Norway rats build their nests in deep tunnels in the ground. Roof rats like to build their nests in attics, trees, or dense vegetation above ground.
5. Footprints
Rodent tracks and tail marks can be found in dusty locations such as empty lofts and basements.
To check for activity, sprinkle flour, talcum powder, or china clay on the ground and look for new tracks the next day.
6. Find alive or dead rodent
Seeing a mouse or rat during the day can indicate a serious infestation.
7. Strong odor.
the stronger the odor, the closer you are to the presence of mice or rats. This odor might remain for quite some time (even after an infestation has been removed).
8. Noises of scratching.
Mice and rats are most active late at night. Look for noises between the partitions, under the flooring, in false ceilings, basements, and lofts.
How are mice and rats getting in my kitchen?
Mice and rats can get into your kitchen in a number of ways: through cracks in the walls or cabinets, through the door if it’s not properly sealed, and by squeezing through the opening where the pipes come in.
Once they’re in your kitchen, rats and mice have easy access to food and water, which is why it’s a common place for them to infest.
They can contaminate your food with their droppings, which can cause illness, and they can also chew through wires, which can lead to electrical fires.
It’s important to take action and call a professional exterminator.
Rodent Exterminator is a reliable company with more than 30 years of experience, the best professionals, and services to get rid of rodents in your home as quickly as possible.
We not only exterminate but we also clean and make sure that there is no trace of these animals. Call us 213-431-0890.
Where do mice and rats hide in your kitchen?
Mice and rats can be quite elusive. So, it can be hard to know where they are hiding in your kitchen. However, there are a few places where they are likely to be:
- Kitchen furniture foundations.
- Large kitchen equipment has voids inside and behind them.
- Areas that are obscured by clutter and stored goods.
- Appliances are hidden behind them.
- Furniture cracks.
Can mice and rats get into cupboards?
Yes, they can.
Rodents are unable to access cabinet doors, they enter through small gaps in the cabinet’s backs and corners.
Kitchen cabinets are attractive to mice and rats because they frequently store food. They could hide and even keep warm in kitchen cabinets.
So, they can squeeze through any open gaps or crevices to get into the cabinets.
It is important to take steps to get rid of rodents that are near your food and can contaminate it. You need to be even more careful if you are pregnant and there is an infestation in your home!
How do mice and rats get under the kitchen sink?
Rodents can fit through openings considerably smaller than they appear to be able to because of their body shape.
Rodents can also get into your house through cracks in the walls or ceilings, as well as sewer connections.
Rats and mice can enter homes through sink and bathtub drain if drainage pipes aren’t properly sealed.
Mice prefer the area under the sink because it is rarely checked and cleaned.
What is the fastest way to get rid of mice or rats in the kitchen?
A trap is the quickest way to get rid of mice or rats in the kitchen. You can buy a trap or create one yourself out of a cardboard box at your local hardware shop.
While live traps catch rodents and allow them to be released, some traps kill mice or rats on contact, reducing mouse populations quickly.
Place the trap in a dark, undisturbed area where the rodents will most likely hide.
Peanut butter, bacon, or dried fruit can be used as bait traps.
If you are unable to catch or remove rodents from your kitchen with traps, you can hire rodent extermination and control services to make it not only fast but also safe.
