Rodent Awareness Week 2024: Six Signs of a Rodent Infestation

Winter in Long Island is coming, which means so are the rodents. Each year, an estimated 21 million U.S. homes are invaded by rodents, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), causing serious issues for Long Island homeowners. This October 20 – 26, 2024, EM Pest Control is joining NPMA in bringing awareness to the threats rodents pose to health and property during Rodent Awareness Week, an annual observance recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events. To help families stay protected, we are sharing the six tell-tale signs of a rodent infestation that Long Island homeowners and business owners should be aware of.

Although it may seem like we get a break from pest activity during the fall and winter, Long Island homeowners need to be on the lookout for signs of stealthy rodents like mice and rats and take preventative measures to avoid encounters. Rodents can spread dangerous diseases, contaminate food, trigger allergy symptoms, and even bring fleas, ticks and lice into homes. Not to mention, they’re also known to damage properties by chewing through drywall insulation, electrical wires, and even car wiring.

Here are six tell-tale signs of a rodent issue:

1. Droppings: Finding mice or rat droppings around the home is one of the most common signs of a rodent infestation. These pellets are often left behind in places where food is stored as well as under sinks, inside cardboard boxes, along baseboards and on top of wall beams.
2. Gnaw marks: Rodents can cause serious property damage by chewing through almost any type of material to obtain food or water. Some rodents are also known to gnaw on wires behind walls which can lead to house fires.
3. Nests: Rodents prefer to nest in dark, secluded areas where there is little chance of disturbance. House mice, specifically, like to build their nests out of shredded paper products, cotton, packing materials, wall insulation and fabrics. If you see these materials scattered around the home, it might be a sign that rodents are nearby.
4. Tracks or rub marks: Rats tend to leave dark grease or dirt marks along walls and floorboards as they follow a trail throughout the home between their nest and food. Keep an eye out for these rub marks, which are caused by their oily fur.
5. Strange noises: Hearing strange noises in the walls, especially at night, can be a bit concerning. Chances are these sounds can be attributed to a family of rodents scurrying about the house, between the walls and up in attics.
6. An actual rodent: Mice can breed rapidly, so if you spot one mouse in the house, it’s likely there are others playing hide and seek. In fact, a female house mouse can give birth to a half dozen babies every three weeks, up to 35 young per year.

To prevent a rodent encounter, homeowners should seal any structural cracks or crevices with caulk or steel wool, as house mice can fit through openings as small as a dime. Additionally, keep basements and attics clutter free and eliminate any excess moisture around the house. Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home and keep food in airtight containers, disposing of garbage regularly. If a rodent infestation is suspected, contact a licensed pest control professional to handle the situation.