Critter Control
Do You Have Rats or Mice in the House?
How to Tell if You Have Mice or Rats in the House
It's a chilling thought. Could a house as nice as yours have mice or rats in it? You don't always see them, but they leave tell-tale signs. Here's a handy list of questions to ask yourself to determine whether you have a pest problem.
What to Look for
Are your pets upset?
They can get stirred up when they hear and smell rodents in the house.
Can you see rodent droppings?
Rat droppings are shiny black, blunt at both ends, and ½ - ¾ of an inch long. Mice droppings
are smooth, with pointed ends, usually about 1/8 - ¼ of an inch long.
Do you see small tracks and tail trails in dusty areas?
Look for them in corners, along baseboards, and near sources of food.
Do you see areas where wood has been gnawed?
Tooth marks that are 1/8 of an inch long may indicate rats; small, scratchy ones may indicate
mice.
Do you see smears along baseboards and other areas?
Those could be rub marks caused by grease and dirt on rat fur.
Is there a heavy musky odor in the house?
Rats and mice smell bad.
Now What?
First of all, don't despair. You can clear your house of rodents and take steps to keep them out. See our solution articles on Rats and Mice, as well as our article on How to Keep Mice and Rats Out of Your House.
