Are you worried that there may be rodents living in your house? If so, you’re not alone.
Rodents can be a major problem for homeowners, and they can cause significant damage to your property.
No one wants to think they have rodents living under their house, but the fact is that these little creatures can cause a lot of damage and mayhem in a short period.
It’s important to be on the lookout for any signs that they’re present.
You may get rid of rats or mice residing under your house in a variety of ways, including do-it-yourself solutions and professional services.
For minor rat infestations, you can try do-it-yourself options like over-the-counter traps and poison are feasible options, but they may not be as successful for larger problems.
How do you know if there are rats or mice under your house?
Rats and mice prefer to build their nests in naturally dark and moist areas. It’s not hard to find out if you have rats living under your house in most circumstances.
There are a few ways to spot a rodent infestation:
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Urine and droppings.
The presence of droppings or urine in the house is a good indicator of the presence of rodents.
Older droppings are brownish, powdery, and roll easily, but newer ones are black, glossy, and clayey.
Because mice and rats typically urinate while moving, the urine tracks they leave behind are linear.
Furthermore, when the infestation is severe, they frequently emit a strong ammonia odor.
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Gnawed objects.
Rodents have two sets of incisor teeth that never cease growing, which distinguishes them from other mammals.
As a result, these animals must gnaw objects daily to keep their incisors short and sharp. Rats and mice gnaw for a variety of reasons, including admission and food.
The presence of teeth marks on food, wires, building materials, or the edges of beams is solid evidence of the presence of rats in the home.
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Stains.
Rodents often leave dark gray stains along the trails they travel to get from roosts to food or water sources as a result of bodily contact with the surface.
When touched, recent marks discolor, whereas older marks are fragile and peel off when scraped.
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Nests.
Burrows are dug by rodents for nesting or refuge. The common rat or mice burrows underground, with the entrance commonly located outside of homes.
These can be discovered in underground piles, along walls, beneath trash heaps, or under concrete slabs.
Burrows are dug in attics or inside walls by the black or roof rat.
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Sounds.
Rodents are animals with nocturnal activity. Their presence can be easily betrayed by the sound of individuals running, fighting, gnawing, or scratching materials at night.
In addition, the young usually communicate through screeches, which are very noticeable, especially at night in quiet areas.
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Dead rodents.
The observation of live or dead rats is a sure sign of infection by commensal rodents.
When they are seen running during the day it is an indicator of very large populations or that individuals are sick or poisoned.
Mummified corpses may indicate an ancient infestation, while the presence of many recent corpses suggests that the population is diseased or poisoned.
Why do rodents live under your house?
Rodents are a difficult nuisance to eliminate since they may be found almost anywhere. Rats and mice will survive as long as people provide them with the following three things:
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Food.
Rats and mice are omnivores, which means they’ll eat anything.
Although rodents are most known for scavenging through rubbish and consuming food that has been left out, some rats and mice may prey on small creatures such as birds and lizards.
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Water.
Rodents can go for a month or more without drinking water directly.
This is because they receive adequate water through their diet. Rats and mice can typically find adequate water in drains, pet dishes, or condensation in pipes or walls when they need to drink.
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Warmth and comfort.
Weeds, grasses, and other vegetation provide the necessary refuge for rats in the wild. Rats and mice will seek safety in homes behind furniture, behind walls, or in dark, seldom-used books.
They’re also known for constructing nests within and beneath appliances.
How to get rid of these rodents that live under your house?
So you’ve identified that you have rodents living under your house, now what?
Here are a few tips on how to get rid of them:
1. Seal any entry points they may be used to get into your house
Rodents do not require a major entrance point to get access to your home. They can squeeze into any hole that can be reached with two fingers.
Seal any holes in your interior or external walls with this in mind. Fill these spaces with wire wool, metal kick plates, cement, or caulk for long-lasting solutions.
Remember to check them a few times a month to ensure they’re in good working order.
2. Use traps to catch them.
Trapping is perhaps the most efficient strategy of rodent eradication; it is the only method that catches or kills rats and mice quickly and effectively.
Trapping is a non-poisonous way to control rat populations.
If you’re going to set your traps, make sure you have lots of them and place them in high-activity areas.
Bait can include peanut butter, unsalted seeds, bananas, or apples.
3. Call a professional exterminator to take care of the infestation
If you find rats and mice under your house, you should contact a professional pest removal firm in your region for assistance.
They will assist you in identifying rat entry points, locating their nesting and food storage locations, and removing rats from your house without causing more damage to your property.
Professionals can also assist you in determining the source of the infestation and preventing future rodent infestations.
Rodent Exterminator has the best professionals trained in rodent control, being a company with more than 30 years of experience offering the necessary services to eliminate all rats and mice from your home. Call us 213-431-0890 to get those animals out from under your house!
In conclusion, rodents are a common household pest. They can wreak havoc on your home by chewing through walls, wires, and insulation. The best way to get rid of them is with the help of trained professionals who know exactly how to deal with these pesky critters safely and quickly.
