Understanding The Fundamentals Of Rat Infestations In Your Home
Posted on: 14 October 2019
Most homeowners can easily recognize insect infestations, particularly since most insects don't tend to stay out of sight when they are in your home. However, rodent infestations are different. For example, if you have a rat problem in your house, you may not even realize it. The fact is, while you might not see rats in your home, you can certainly hear them if you know what to listen for. Here are some common sounds you might hear in your home if you have rodents.
Grinding And Gnawing
Rats have front teeth that grow constantly. As a result, they chew, and they chew a lot. That means you're going to hear occasional chewing and gnawing in areas of your home. The types of gnawing sounds you hear are going to vary based on what the rats are chewing. Rats will chew on all sorts of things, from wiring to wood beams and even foam insulation. When you hear chewing that you can't locate or identify, that's a good sign that you've got a rat problem in your house.
Chittering
Rats are fairly social animals among themselves. They nest together and communicate freely among themselves when they are comfortable. If they have found a place to make a nest where they are undisturbed, you'll probably hear chittering sounds as they communicate with each other. This is most often heard when it's really quiet in the house, either early in the morning or late at night, but can happen at any time during the day.
Movement And Scratching
Rats wander from their nests in search of things to chew on, food, and water. As a result, you will hear them moving around, especially late at night. If you're hearing scratching sounds and movement, like rustling, throughout your home overnight, that's a sure sign that there are rodents, most likely rats, moving through the house.
Pet Reactions
If you have pets, their behavior may also be a key indicator of rat infestations. If your dog or cat has started acting out of character, particularly if they are whining, scratching the walls, or acting out at night, these are often signs that you've got something moving around in the house. Cats and dogs alike can be triggered by the presence of rats in your house and may even chase them through the house as they move around.
Talk with a rat extermination specialist for more information if you have been picking up on any of these signs.
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