By: Cori Smith, Aerex Pest Control
As a property owner, rodents can be the cause of serious damage. These devious little pests can cost you thousands of dollars in damages, spread diseases, and are generally just a nuisance. They can take over in no time, so it’s important to keep an eye open for any signs of rodent infestation.
Pest control is important for property owners, and one of the most important elements of pest control is simply being attentive to the warning signs that may pop up. It may feel like you’re searching for the ever-elusive white whale, but there are a few smoking guns that can clue you in to a rodent infestation. Here are a few.
Look For Signs of a Home
Rodents, like rats and mice, live in nests that they build with materials they have around. So look out for telltale signs that a rodent is building a nest in your home or business. While you may not spot the nest or shelter itself, if you notice chewed up fabric, paper, or insulation, rodents may be using those materials to build their home. Also be sure to keep an eye out for any droppings that indicate a rodent is staying in your building.
Unexplainable Damage
Rodents truly are a menace to any property owner. If you look around and notice damage that just doesn’t make any sense, it’s possible that it was caused by a rodent. This may look like bite marks on food or holes in furniture or the walls of your home. Their strong muscles allow them to chew through walls, so it’s best to check both the inside and outside of your home for potential points of entry into the building.
Odor
Rats and mice have a notoriously foul odor that accompanies them, and particularly their nests. Frequent defecation and urination around your home or place of business can cause a bad smell to permeate throughout the entire property. In warm weather, the smell will worsen.
But remember that this horrible smell is not just incredibly unwelcoming, it is also damaging to your home and is a sign of a real threat to your health. Rodents carry several diseases and their excrement can cause sickness in humans and stain many surfaces.
Strange Pet Behavior
Our pets are very intelligent and attentive and often notice things that we don’t. One sign of a rodent infestation is strange pet behavior. Cats and dogs may begin acting funny if they see or smell a rat or mouse. Our pets can also clue us in to where these pests may be hiding. If you notice that your dog or cat is clawing under the fridge or cabinets, there is a chance that there may be a few rodents hanging out down there.
Nobody likes having pest control problems, but it is best to get the problem addressed as soon as possible to prevent any further infestation. Keep an eye out for the warning signs we’ve listed and contact a trained pest control expert if you have any concerns or questions.
*This post is sponsored by Aerex Pest Control, thank you!
Proudly serving the greater Chicagoland area in Illinois and southeast Wisconsin, the professional exterminators at Aerex Pest Control understand the habits of different types of pests and use that knowledge when developing a pest control program that is best suited to your home and your particular problem. Our technicians are professional, state certified, licensed applicators. Call today for your free consultation (847) 796-2254 or click here for a free quick quote.