Your attic can be a haven for unwanted guests – rodents. Rats, mice, and squirrels can find their way into attics through surprisingly small openings to seek shelter, warmth, and a place to breed. While they might seem just like a nuisance, a rodent infestation in your attic and be a significant health and safety risk to both you and your family.
Rodents can carry a variety of diseases, contaminate your home, and cause damage to your home’s structure and wiring. That’s why it’s so important to be vigilant and recognize the signs of a rodent infestation early. The sooner you identify a problem, the quicker you can take action to prevent further issues.
One of the most obvious signs of a rodent infestation is the presence of rodent droppings. They are small, dark pellets you might find around your attic, along walls, or near potential entry points where they might be gaining access to your home. Fresh droppings are soft and moist, while older ones are dry and hard. The more you find, the more likely it is you have an active infestation.
Rodents also have a need to keep their teeth trimmed, resulting in them needing to gnaw to keep them short. This gnawing can leave behind signs. You might find marks on wooden beams, insulating, wiring, pipes, and stored items. These marks can vary in size and shape depending on type of rodent and what they are gnawing on, but are often a clear sign of activity.
Rodent nests can also appear in your home. Rodents make nests using shredded materials like paper, fabric, insulation, and plant matter. These nests provide a safe and warm home for them to raise their children. If you find a nest in your attic – especially if it contains young rodents, you have an active infestation that requires immediate attention.
Rodents are most active at night. If you hear scratching, scurrying, or squeaking noises coming from your attic, it’s a strong indication of a rodent infestation. These noises can be unsettling and disruptive to your sleep, but are also a big clue that you might have unwanted guests in your home.
Interestingly, rodents tend to follow the same paths as they move around your home. As a result you might notice greasy rub marks along the walls or baseboards where their fur has been in contact with the surface. In dusty areas of your attic, you might even see footprints and tail tracks left behind by rodents as they travel their worn paths.
If you have pets, they might be the first to notice an issue. Dogs and cats especially have a keen sense of hearing and smell and might be able to identify an infestation before you do. If your pet is suddenly fixated on a particular area of your home or if they are exhibiting unusual behaviors like excessive barking or scratching at walls, it could be a sign that rodents are present and they are trying to let you know.
And while not always common, if you see a rodent in your attic, it’s a fairly sure sign of an infestation! Visual sightings can be startling, but they can provide definitive proof that you have a problem that needs to be addressed.
If you notice any of these signs in your attic, it’s important to take action immediately, as ignoring a rodent infestation can lead to more significant problems down the road. Rodents can reproduce quickly, and a small problem can escalate quickly in a short amount of time.
Dealing with a rodent infestation can be challenging. Rodents are intelligent and resourceful creatures and effective removal often requires specialized knowledge and techniques. Contacting a professional rodent control service like Above Board is the safest and most effective way to eliminate pests from your attic and prevent them from returning.
At Above Board, our experienced technicians will thoroughly inspect your attic, identify entry points, and implement a comprehensive rodent removal plan. We also offer attic insulation removal and replacement services to ensure your home is properly insulated and protected from future infestations. Don’t wait for the problem to get worse – contact us today for a rodent-free attic and peace of mind.