6 Signs of Rats in Your House or Garden
Rats are a common problem for many households across the country. In fact, the North West was one of the top three regions in the UK that exceeded the national ratio of rat call-outs per 1000 people!
Rats will roam in your house or garden on the lookout for food, and they are not fussy as they will eat almost anything. They get in your home through holes or cracks in your home, even if it is very small, a rat can squeeze or bite through it. Also, rats are great climbers, so they can climb up trees and get into your attic.
It is important to eliminate the problem as soon as you notice it. Rats are fast reproducers, and the problem can multiply quickly. Usually, you will be able to tell how many are in your home or garden based on droppings. Essentially, the more droppings, the more rats. Rats can cause many problems and dangers around the household.
In terms of health factors, rats can spread disease to household members or pets. Diseases like Weil’s Disease, which is fatal, or lice and roundworm. Also, rats can chew through walls and wires, which can create hazards in your home.
Eliminating a rat problem is essential. Below we have created a list of signs to look out for if you believe you have a rat infestation.
Signs of Rats in Your House and Garden
- Droppings
Droppings are the most obvious signs of rats and can be found in the garden or house. Rats can leave up to 40 droppings a day, and they will usually look like a grain of rice in a brown colour. The more droppings you find, this means the more rats you have.
If you believe you have a rat problem after spotting droppings, but you want to confirm it, you could leave food (e.g. a cracker) out and see if it is still there in the morning. If it is gone, you likely have rats.
- Burrows
Rats will create burrows or nests in gardens, as they are skilled at digging and source materials like paper or cardboard to make a warm home for themselves. Usually, you will find burrows near bins, sheds, garages, under decking or anywhere rats may find shelter.
It is important for these to be removed by professional services as it can lead to more rats being born and where newborns are hidden until they are old enough.
- Bite marks on garden equipment
Bite marks on garden equipment can indicate a rat issue. For example, if your garden hose has bite marks on it, you are likely dealing with rats.
Rats have strong teeth and can gnaw through thick materials, even through wooden sheds and cement. So bite marks are a clear indicator of having a rat infestation. Rats can be a huge danger for this reason, as they might bite through electric wires in your home.
- Footprints
Rats move at a quick pace, and often leave footprints along the way. In your garden, you may see footprints in the mud. If they are coming into your home you may see faint footprint marks on your floor.
If you are suspicious that rats are coming into your home, it is a good idea to leave a thin layer of flour on where you think they are entering, and then see if there are footprints there in the morning.
- Smell
If there is a distinct and unpleasant smell in certain areas in your home or garden, you may have a rat problem. Rats have a particular smell and can leave a strong aroma from their urine.
Usually, pets will sense this smell first and might become more active or unsettled in areas where the smell is coming from. So if you see your pet acting unusually in a certain area, it is worth checking it out for yourself.
- Marks on floor
Rats have a layer of grease and dirt on their bodies. If you are finding smudges on the floor or surfaces in your home, this is a clear sign that you are dealing with a rat infestation.
Solutions
There are various ways to control a rat problem. At Premier Pest Control, the first step that we take is to identify the access points, whether this is through the drains or sewers. We will then block entry points and install proofing to materials. This will also help keep rats out in the future.
After that, we will remove any food sources and use traps to draw the rats out. Once it is safe to do so, we will put contact dust in harbours and ducts.
There are other control measures that we can install, such as rodent repellent, which blocks the smell of the rats out to other rodents so more aren’t attracted to your home or garden.
Generally, it takes around 3-7 days for rats to leave your home. You will know that they are gone if you stop seeing droppings around your home and garden.