A mouse or rat infestation in your house is not only unsanitary, but it also puts your health at risk. Recognizing the early signs of mice or rats in the house allows you to take prompt action.

Three Early Signs of a Rodent Infestation in Your House

As the weather gets cooler, mice and rats start looking for a place to hide from the weather. Mice and rats will also seek shelter to make a nest for their young. Recognizing the earliest signs of a rodent infestation in your house allows you to take prompt action and contact an exterminator in Las Vegas to eliminate the infestation.

Droppings

Droppings are the telltale sign that there are mice or rats in the house. Their droppings are less than 1/4-inch long. Rodents tend to leave several droppings in one place. Although mice and rats have a reputation for being untidy, they tend to select one place to do their toileting. You may find a concentration of droppings in a hidden corner or underneath old boxes. Rodents also urinate in the same place as where they leave their droppings. Their urine is highly concentrated and smells strongly of ammonia.

Shredded Materials

Rodents must constantly chew in order to keep their teeth at a manageable length. Their chewing activities often result in piles of shredded materials. You may find shredded cardboard, paper, fabric or plastic. They often use the shredded material to build a nest. If you notice that the bottoms of boxes or other items have unusual holes or tears, it is likely to be the result of rodents chewing.

Unexplained Holes

A mouse or rat will make great efforts to gain access to a shelter. They also prefer to hide away in an area that is not visible. You may notice unexplained holes in your baseboards, trim or siding when cutting back bushes or moving boxes. You may also notice holes in plastic tubs or in metal air ducts. Rodents are highly motivated to make tunnels into structures and will chew through almost any type of material, including glass.