Rats can be a troublesome pest to deal with in your home. However, identifying an infestation early is key to controlling the situation before it gets out of hand. Here are some tips on how to identify signs of rats in your home and confirm you have an infestation that needs addressing.

Look for Droppings

One of the most obvious signs of rats are their droppings. Rat droppings are about the size of a rice grain and will be found along their travel routes and near food sources. Check in cupboards, under sinks, in the attic, and in the basement for any rat feces. A large amount of droppings indicates an established infestation.

Listen for Sounds

Rats are noisy pests and you may hear them scurrying in walls and ceilings, especially at night. Listen for scratching, squeaking, and gnawing sounds. Rats are active at night and you may hear them in the upper levels of the home as they travel and search for food. Place your ear against a wall to better detect noises.

Inspect for Damage

Look for signs of damage rats may have caused. Look for gnaw marks on wood, torn insulation, chewed electrical wires, and holes along baseboards and walls. Check furnishings for damages too. Rats need to gnaw to wear down their continuously growing teeth and will chew on wood, drywall, and wiring.

Look for Rub Marks

Inspect walls for any black greasy rub marks from rats rubbing against surfaces. Look along their travel routes near walls, beams, and rafters. They leave rub marks from oil and dirt on their fur. Numerous rub marks are a clear sign rats live in your home.

Look for Burrows

Check areas around the foundation of your home and under bushes or debris piles for rat burrows. Look for nickel or quarter-sized holes that lead underground. Rats may burrow underneath sheds, patios, decks, and steps leading down into the ground. Fresh excavated dirt around holes indicates active burrows.

Check for Rodent Trails

Inspect attics and basements for well-traveled rat runways. Rats habitually take the same routes between food, water, and nesting areas. Look for narrow, greasy trails 2 to 3 inches wide along walls, beams, and floors. Trails with fresh prints or tail drag marks signal rats still actively use them.

Look for Tracks

Dusty areas may reveal tracks and tail drag marks from rodent activity. Look for small 5-toed paw prints approximately 3/4 inch long. You may find long tail drag marks between footprints. Inspect attics, basements, and sheds for tracks around nesting areas.

Smell for Odors

Use your nose to detect a musky, urine-like ammonia smell that can indicate a rat infestation. Odors may be present in enclosed areas like attics or walls where rats nest. You may also smell odors around pet food bowls or trash cans that rats are scavenging. A pervasive odor likely means a substantial infestation.

Inspect for Leaks or Damage

Watch for leaks or water damage around the home that can attract rats looking for water. Check under sinks, around pipes, and near the water heater and washing machine for any moisture or leaks rats may exploit. Repair any leaky plumbing to discourage rat activity.

Look for Nesting Sites

Inspect for signs of nests rats have built. Look for shredded paper, fabrics, or other debris piled into a nest shape. Sometimes nests are hidden behind cabinets, appliances, or stored items in undisturbed areas. Finding multiple nests indicates a large infestation.

Set Out Glue Boards or Traps

Place non-toxic glue boards or live traps in areas of suspected rat activity. Check daily for any rodents caught on glue boards or in traps. Catching multiple rats confirms an active infestation requiring further pest control measures.

Call a Professional

If you find substantial evidence of rats in your home, contact a licensed exterminator or pest control specialist to inspect and treat the infestation. Professionals can treat areas that are hard to reach and provide ongoing management if the infestation persists.

Frequently Asked Questions About Identifying Rat Infestations

How many rat droppings are a cause for concern?

Seeing a few rat droppings may not mean infestation. However, frequent droppings along walls and in enclosed spaces likely indicates a substantial rat population has moved in. Large amounts of fresh feces point to a significant infestation requiring removal.

What diseases can rats spread?

Rats can directly or indirectly transmit many harmful diseases to humans through bacteria, viruses, and parasites in their urine and feces. These include leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, salmonella, and even plague. Getting rid of rats reduces disease risks.

Where are rats most likely to nest?

Rats seek out undisturbed areas with shelter to build nests. They often nest in attics, wall voids, crawl spaces, cluttered garages or sheds, beneath floors, and under bushes or debris outside. Nesting spots will be near food and water sources rats use.

Do rats attack people?

Rats are afraid of humans and rarely attack or bite people. However, a rat may bite if cornered or inadvertently trapped against a person’s skin. Bites pose a risk of rat-bite fever or other bacterial infections. Children or sleeping individuals face higher risk.

How can I safely catch a rat in my home?

Use humane traps baited with peanut butter, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, or nut butter to catch rats alive indoors. Place traps along baseboards and known travel routes. Check traps frequently and release rats farther than 1 mile from home. Avoid using poison or lethal snap traps.

How do I rat-proof my home?

Seal any openings wider than 1/4 inch in walls, foundations, rooflines, and around pipes to exclude rats. Store pet food in sealed containers and clean up any spills. Keep trash in rodent-proof bins. Clear clutter and brush around the home. Traps or low-toxic baits can also deter rats.

Conclusion

Living with rats in your home is unpleasant and poses potential health risks. However, armed with information on the telltale signs of a rat infestation, you can identify an issue early and take proactive steps to eliminate rats from your residence. Look for the signs, set out traps, and enlist professional pest control help if needed to clear up a rat problem before it gets worse. With vigilance and the right mitigation measures, you can successfully rid your home of destructive, unhealthy rat pests.