7 Signs that you have rodents at home.
In Madeira, there are three types of fundamental rodent species, namely rats, roof rats and mice.
The rat is considered an urban pest; however, it is part of the larger urban pests and peculiar habits, with more aggressive tendencies and a propensity to bite and scratch humans, which could result in infections.
Disinfesting any of these species by yourself is quite difficult and almost always inefficient.
Many products used in the retail circuit are not for professional use, so the domestic line of rodenticides will be less efficient in terms of control compared to rodenticides for professional use, which are exclusive and have restricted access. Furthermore, only a few pest control companies have access to them. Therefore, looking for a specialized company to combat the problem will be one of the key steps to controlling a rodent infestation.
That said, here are some signs that there are rodents in your home:
- Rat faeces
If you find small balls that look like black rice, they could be mouse droppings. Faeces are most abundant near feeding and nesting sources. If you find them, be careful. Rodent droppings can trap harmful particles, so vigorous sweeping or vacuuming should not be done. Instead, you should carefully pick them up with gloves and a paper towel and dispose of them in plastic bags. Make sure you disinfect the entire area. - Traffic patterns
Rats follow their favourite travel routes around their home. In other words, they usually run along the same walls and baseboards night after night. Look for a path of dirty spots on the floor where rats have left traces and paw prints. This is a sign of a path with high rodent traffic. - Eating Habits
Did the dog food or bag of birdseed suddenly appear lying around? Rats chew their way through all kinds of boxes and bags to get to their favourite – grains and cereals. Check for holes in bags and traces of crumbs around food containers. If you leave butter or bacon on the kitchen counter, inspect it carefully, you may find small teeth marks. Ensure any food that mice come into contact with is immediately thrown in the trash. - Nesting material
Rats love to find a cosy place to hide and leave their young. For example, the warm area behind the fridge or stove, but they also like to create their nest behind cupboards and pantries. They collect paper, fabrics, pieces of food packaging and other materials to make a nest – where the intense smell of urine is notorious! If you notice holes in fabrics or a small clump of material in a corner, with or without droppings nearby, you may have rats. - Rat sounds
Hearing that pattering over your head… When these sounds occur every night, not just over your head but in the walls and everywhere, you might have rats.
Pay attention to where you hear scratching and running, as this area is likely to be close to the source of the problem. - Rat odour
It can smell your presence. It could be a nest, a dead mouse nearby or rodent droppings. But even if your nose doesn’t detect it, your pet can. For example, if your cat or dog is suddenly focused towards a certain corner or part of the house, one or the other may have found the location of the problem. - Spot a rat
When you spot a rat in your home, consider the rat’s reproductive habits. Rats can breed up to 10 times yearly, with an average of six to eight rats per litter.
Note: Your home may be vulnerable to the entry of rodents if there are cracks in the doors, cracks in the walls, the baseboards or in the windows.
Having rodents in your home is a serious matter and can quickly turn into a more complicated situation. Rats carry some of the most dangerous diseases and put public health at risk!
Rat faecal matter and urine can also spread numerous diseases, such as leptospirosis, a debilitating disease that causes problems with the liver, kidneys and heart. We don’t even need to consume something contaminated to get infected.
Pest control and prevention are important for public health and food safety reasons. Plus, they keep your home and family safe!
