The first step in getting rid of mice or rats is to figure out what kind of rodent you’re dealing with and how large of a problem you’re dealing with in general. Determine which form of control is best for your situation by doing a comprehensive inspection. If you have a rodent problem, a thorough home inspection will help you identify the sort of mouse you’re dealing with, their habits, and the source of their entry into your home. Before undertaking any rat control in Toronto, it’s important to do a complete check of the home.
Inspecting for Rodents
Using a flashlight, examine the dark places of your home, such as behind appliances and in cabinets or closets. These are prime hiding spots for rats. Also, make sure that you look up, down, and in every direction for clues that indicate the presence of rodents. A thorough examination will assist you in determining:
- The rodent species; for example, is it a roof rat, Norway rat, or house mouse?
- The gravity of the situation has arisen.
- Where they eat, where they go, and where they nest
- What’s causing your issue, whether it’s a lack of clean water, food, sanitation, or accessibility to those things?
- The most effective way to get rid of rodents includes what kind of product to use and where to put it.
Signs of Rodents
Some of the telltale indications of rats and mice are as follows:
- Droppings
- Urine scents
- Gnawed holes
- There are scuffs and chew marks.
- Rodent runways
- Rodent nests
- There were scurrying sounds.
- Unusual pet behaviour
How to Tell if You Have Mice or Rats
You are aware of the presence of rodents in the home or have reason to suspect their presence; nevertheless, you are unsure whether you are dealing with mice or rats. Use the specific signals each rodent leaves behind to identify them, even when they exhibit many of the same symptoms. It is also essential to select the appropriate bait or trap to get rid of them.
Appearance.
Rats are considerably larger than mice. Their coarse fur can be red, brown, grey, or black, depending on the species, and they have a long, scaly tail devoid of fur. A fully grown rat can range in length from 11 to 19 inches (including its tail) and weigh anything from 0.5 to 1 pound. Mice are characterised by their big ears and small, dark eyes. They have a long, hairless tail between three and four inches in length and fine fur that can be brown, black, or grey. Mature mice have a length of around 6-7 inches (including their tails) and weigh between 0.5 and 1 ounce.
Droppings.
Rat and mouse droppings are sure evidence of a rodent infestation since they show the type of rodent, the size of it, and where it is most active.
- Droppings from mice measure less than 14 inches in diameter and have a sharp tip on each end.
- Small rodent excrement is greater than 1 inch.
- There are two distinct types of rat droppings: those from rats and those from Roof Rats.
It is slick and putty-like in texture with new droppings, whereas hard and crumbly old ones are the other way around. Juveniles and adults have different faeces sizes; hence there may be a huge infestation if there are several faeces. Placing bait or traps based on the droppings’ position will help you identify active regions.
Urine Odor.
The smell of rodent urine might be described as pungent and musty. The odour is easy to detect when there are significant numbers of infestations.
Gnawed Holes.
Gnawed mouse holes are discrete, well-defined, and typically measure up to the diameter of a dime. Gnawed rat holes are substantial, approximately the same size as a quarter, and have jagged, ripped edges.
Rub and Gnaw Marks.
Rough, greasy scuff marks are often left behind in areas where rodents have moved over walls. You can tell they are new if the rub marks start to smudge. Signs can also be seen as gnaw marks on the wood found around the house. Rats leave behind tooth marks that are roughly one-eighth of an inch long, while mice leave behind little scratch marks.
Runways.
In most cases, rodents will travel along interior walls, building foundations, ledges, pipes, electrical cables, conduits, tree branches, and fence rails as their primary modes of transportation.
Nests.
When building their nests indoors, mice will shred paper, twine, and other pliable materials. Burrows dug several feet down are where Norway rats make their homes outside. Nesting sites for roof rats are often found high off the ground, such as in trees or dense vegetation.
Noises.
Rodents are nocturnal. They frequently produce scratching noises during the night as they move along floors and walls.
Pet Behavior.
When they hear or smell rats in the house, pets behave peculiarly. They might give the impression of being particularly vigilant, bark, or start pawing at the places beneath low-clearance pieces of furniture, such as refrigerators and stoves.
Conclusion
Now is the time to take action to stop a rat infestation in your home or place of business. Time is of the essence when dealing with rat infestations and the health risks they pose. After you call Toronto Pest Control and have them take a look, we’ll handle the rest.
