Signs of Rats in Your House: How to Spot and Address an Infestation

Pest problems can be a real hassle. Knowing how to tell if you have rats can help you identify the invading critters and take action to get rid of them. Check out this quick guide to rat infestation signs from USX Pest Control before performing your next home inspection.

Common Signs of Rats in Your House 

Rats are nocturnal and typically most active from a little before sunset to shortly before sunrise. These crafty critters can travel anywhere from 100 to 300 feet from their nests in search of food, often leaving tell-tale signs as they go. 

Droppings and Urine Stains 

Rat droppings are cylindrically shaped, usually dark brown or black in color, with pointed ends and a length of approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Urine stains can look yellowish brown when fresh or like dust when they dry. Rats frequently leave droppings and urine in similar areas. 

Gnawed Wires and Structural Damage 

Rats, like many other rodents, have a unique dental situation — their teeth never stop growing. That’s why they are vigorous gnawers, chewing on anything from wooden beams and structural elements to roofing materials, walls, and even wiring.

Scratching and Movement Noises 

As they come and go from their nests, you might hear rats moving around. Noises like gnawing, squealing, and scampering in ceilings, walls, and floors can be a sure sign that you have uninvited houseguests. 

Nesting Materials and Rat Paths 

As rats travel in search of food and water, they typically follow a set path. Over time, they leave greasy-looking rub marks, typically along floors, walls, and baseboards.

Among the common rat species found in this region, roof rats often build their nests high off the ground, and you might find them in vents or attics. Norway rats, on the other hand, usually stick closer to ground-level. You might find their nests in burrows along the foundation or inside crawl spaces and basements. Both will use whatever materials are readily available, including fabric, paper, and insulation. 

Inspecting Your Home for Rat Activity 

Routine inspections can help homeowners catch potential problems early, providing the best chance to quickly control infestations. A thorough, comprehensive inspection will look indoors and outside, around windows, architectural elements, vents, and crawl spaces. 

If you notice burrows around your property that are 2-4 inches in diameter, it could indicate the presence of Norway rats, commonly found in the Northeast. Since a single rat family often creates three holes, spotting these signs is a strong indicator of an infestation. This is the time to call a professional exterminator to address the issue promptly and prevent further problems. 

Using Tools to Help Detect Rats 

One helpful tool is a UV flashlight, which professionals often use to detect nearly invisible rat urine. You might also install trail cameras or motion-detection cameras in areas where you suspect rat activity to catch these nocturnal creatures in action.

Assessing Entry Points 

Finding potential entry points is critical. One difference between mice and rats is the size of the hole they can fit through. While mice can squeeze into openings as tiny as a pencil’s width, rats require openings about the size of a quarter.

Inspect foundations and roof lines, look inside the attic and basement, and check around doors and windows. Other areas to examine include: 

• Around pipes and utility lines leading from outside in 
• Inside and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets 
• Around fireplaces and appliances 
• Around floor drains and all vents 
• Junctures between walls and floors 
• Inside closets, particularly floor corners 

Health Risks Associated with Rat Infestations 

Rodents pose a significant health risk. They can carry dozens of diseases that may spread to humans and pets. They can also introduce other pests, such as ticks and fleas, into your home, creating another layer of issues. 

Diseases Transmitted by Rats 

Rats can contaminate surfaces and food. Additionally, germs, bacteria, and other pathogens can spread from rats to humans through contact with their feces, urine, and saliva. Some of the diseases to consider include: 

• Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a lung disease that can be deadly 
• Hantavirus Fever with Renal Syndrome, an illness that affects the kidneys and can cause hemorrhagic fever 
• Typhus, which can spread to humans via rat fleas 
• Salmonella, which can cause digestive symptoms 
• Rat bite fever, which kills approximately one out of 10 people who contract it 
• Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can range in severity 

Allergies and Respiratory Issues 

Rats’ urine, skin, saliva, feces, and hair can trigger allergic reactions. Symptoms can range from mild itchiness, congestion, and watery eyes to more serious symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. In extreme circumstances, rat-related allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening allergic response.

Taking Action to Control and Eliminate Rats 

Prevention is far easier than dealing with an active infestation. However, you can take several steps to regain control of your home.

Setting Traps and Using Baits 

You have several options for eliminating rodent infestations. Humane traps allow you to catch rats and release them, far from your home. Snap traps will kill them, although these smart creatures may figure out how to avoid them eventually. Poison baits are made of appealing edible materials laced with poison to kill the rodents that encounter it. If you choose to use bait stations, be sure to keep children and pets away from them to avoid accidental poisoning. 

Sealing Entry Points and Preventing Reentry 

Rats are smart, adaptable critters. In some research studies, rats were even able to outperform humans on some tasks. That same research shows that they can learn quickly and use their advanced visual abilities to outsmart obstacles.

Additionally, they sport streamlined bodies that can squeeze through openings as narrow as a quarter. Seal any gaps, cracks, and openings using patches, caulk, weather stripping, screening, and other measures to prevent rats and other pests from gaining entry. 

Maintaining a Clean and Unattractive Environment for Rats 

 A proactive approach to pest control is the key to preserving a pest-free home. While a reactive approach waits until a problem exists to act, the proactive option gets ahead of things. One effective way to prevent rats and other pests is by making your home as unappealing as possible. By eliminating clutter and engaging in regular cleaning and sanitation, you can also cut off their supply of food and available shelter.

• Clean up spills and wash dishes immediately
• Vacuum floors frequently and wipe countertops to eliminate crumbs 
• Store food (including pet food) in airtight, lidded containers 
• Avoid leaving pets’ food and water bowls out at night 
• Regularly take out the garbage and use lidded, pest-proof receptacles 

When to Call Professional Pest Control Services 

Ideally, you should call a professional at the first sign of a rat infestation. Although you may be tempted to deal with the issue on your own, it can be an exercise in futility at best. At worst, you could endanger yourself since these small pests can breed quickly. Additionally, they have strong teeth and a tendency to contaminate surfaces and spread diseases.

Signs That Indicate a Severe Infestation 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that seeing a live rat may be one of the biggest indicators of a severe infestation. Extensive gnaw marks, piles of droppings, and a worsening odor may also indicate a widespread infestation. 

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Exterminator 

Professional pest control technicians have extensive training. These licensed pros can identify the species and tailor treatments accordingly. They can also pinpoint where, why, and how they are getting inside to prevent it from happening again. Best of all, professional exterminators will partner with you, providing tips for pest prevention and disinfecting and repairing pest-related messes and damage.

Contact USX Pest Control for Professional Rat Control 

When you work with the experts at USX Pest Control, there’s no second-guessing whether you are using the right treatment. Our technicians perform extensive inspections and customize treatments to your unique home and circumstances. We can get to the root of the issue to eliminate the infestation for good.

Additionally, our team can clean up the mess they leave behind to help restore your peace of mind. Contact USX Pest Control today to learn more about our services or to schedule a free inspection.