Rodents – they sneak, they squeak and, when they die in your walls, they reek. Rats and mice are among the most prolific pests in the world, and they commonly invade our homes in search of food and shelter. Rodent infestations are a constant problem in the Las Vegas Valley, and something which no homeowner wants to deal with. The question is, how do you know if you’ve got them?
While rats and mice tend to stay out of sight, there are a few telltale signs that they’ve entered your home. Keep reading to learn how you can identify a rodent infestation in your home in Las Vegas.
How to Spot a Rodent Problem
- Strange Sounds – Within homes in Las Vegas, rodents most commonly nest in attics, basements and garages, while they move around inside of walls. If you hear squeaking, scratching or scampering noises coming from any of these places, it’s likely that rodents are moving around inside. Rats and mice are both nocturnal, so listen carefully at night.
- Foul Odors – If you don’t see or hear rodents in your Las Vegas home, you may smell them first. Rats and mice will freely defecate and urinate as they travel through your home. Rodent urine and feces produce a musky stench that will permeate your home as the infestation spreads. The larger the infestation, the stronger the smell.
- Gnawing Damage – One of the worst things about having rodents in your home in Las Vegas is that they will chew on just about everything. Rodents need to gnaw constantly to file their teeth, and they’re happy to chew away at wiring, drywall, insulation, wood, cloth and more. Sometimes, they will even use their teeth to cut holes into your walls. Mouse holes tend to be dime-sized and smooth, while rat holes tend to be quarter-sized and rough.
- Indoor Nests – Even if you don’t see rodents in your Las Vegas home, you may stumble upon their vacant nests. Rats and mice will build nests from shredded paper, insulation, grass and similar materials, usually in dark warm places like your attic or garage. These nests probably won’t be out in the open but you may find them under shelves or inside rarely-opened boxes.
- Odd Pet Behavior – If you have a cat or a dog, there’s good news: your pet will be aware of a rodent infestation before you are. Because they’re natural hunters with more advanced senses of hearing and smell than their owners, dogs and cats will detect rats and mice within your home in Las Vegas and become more alert. If your pet is suddenly fixated on a particular space and has begun making excited noises, there’s a good chance they’ve sniffed out a rat or a mouse in your house.
Professional Rodent Control in Las Vegas
When you discover signs of a rodent infestation in your home, you may be tempted to buy some snap traps or glue traps, and hope that will be the end of it. Unfortunately, rodents are crafty and they multiply quickly, so trying to handle a rodent problem on your own is likely to end in failure; your best bet is to rely on a professional rodent control company. Contact D-Termination today for the most effective rodent control services in the Las Vegas Valley!
