Norway rat infestations can be extremely dangerous. Not only do these rats cause damage in the home and are an eyesore, they also spread numerous diseases. This is why it’s important to be able to detect an infestation early on and remove it.

Droppings

Wherever Norway rats go, you will find their droppings. These droppings are small and black, in the shape of rice, and they will be grouped up in areas of high rat activity. Droppings should be an immediate cause for alarm, because not only do they signal the presence of an infestation, they are also known vectors for disease. If you see droppings in your home, you will need to wear protective gear in order to remove them, and the area will have to be disinfected.

Grease marks

Rats have a film of grease on their fur, which will be imprinted on any surface that they touch. This is why you will start to see grease marks in your home as the rats travel around. These marks will be most common near the walls and in the dark corners of the home, since these will be near common rat pathways.

Gnaw marks

Norway rat teeth never actually stop growing – they just keep going on and on until they pierce through the bottom jaw of the rat. To prevent this, a rat has to chew regularly on a variety of surfaces, just to grind down its front teeth. In the home, this means that you will start to notice gnaw marks on furniture, on appliances and on baseboards as the rats try to shorten their teeth.

Strange sounds

While rats do their best to be as stealthy as possible, you may still hear them in the wall at night as they travel around. The noises that you might hear include gnawing sounds, squeaking, and the sound of them scurrying.

If you notice any of these signs in your home, you have to get in touch with a pest control pro quickly. A pro will perform an inspection to confirm that an infestation is present, and then move onto control in order to remove all the rats in the home. If you have any questions about the various signs that indicate the presence of a rat infestation in the home, or if you have an infestation that has to be removed, contact us today.