A strange ammonia-like smell, scuff marks on skirting boards, droppings and gnaw marks on furniture are some of the most common signs of rats. It also pays to be in-tune with the sounds coming from your home as this is one of the easiest ways to pick up on a rat infestation.
What exactly do these unwanted guests sound like if they’ve managed to make their way into your home however?
Gnawing
Rats will chew on anything including walls and furniture. It’s quite a distinctive noise and they can be very loud so if you hear a gnawing sound, this is a sure-fire sign that there’s a rat somewhere in the house.
Scratching
There are a number of reasons why rats may be making scratching noises. They could be trying to get from one area of the house to another, they could be trying to access food or they may be gathering nesting materials.
Scurrying
Rats tend to move pretty quickly so you’re likely to hear scurrying noises. Like any pest, they like to keep well-hidden so it’s unlikely they’ll directly cross your path. While this may be a relief, it can also make them difficult to detect.
Pay extra attention to dark, undisturbed areas such as the loft, under floorboards and even in the walls.
Rat sounds
Chirps and squeaks are common in mice, but rats tend to communicate at a pitch which is undetectable to humans. If a rat is afraid or in pain however, you may be able to hear squeaks or hissing sounds.
If you’ve spotted signs of a rodent infestation but haven’t heard any strange sounds, it’s still worth getting it checked out. Rats are nocturnal and tend to venture out once the house has gone quiet so it can be very difficult to detect an infestation based on noise alone.
You can try sitting in the lounge with the TV off at night or reading a book before bed. Try to ensure the house is as quiet as possible and you may hear something you wouldn’t normally. Alternatively, you can call pest control who can conduct a thorough search of your property.
Because it can be difficult to hear rats, some other signs of infestation to look out for include:
• Droppings – these are commonly found near food sources such as cabinets, drawers, cupboards, behind the fridge and under the sink (rats are also drawn to sources of water)
• Chewing marks – this can be on furniture, skirting boards and food packaging
• Shredded paper or fabric – rats will often rip up these materials so they can use them to build a comfortable nest
• Strange smells – unexplained stale or ammonia smells are one of the most common signs of a rat infestation
• Holes in walls or floors – rats can cause a significant amount of damage in a short space of time. Keep an eye out for holes in walls or floors which they may have created to gain access into your home, because they’re hungry or to help sharpen their teeth
If you would like a free, no obligation quotation for your pest control needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Prokill.
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