By the time you actuallyseea mouse, however, theyve probablyalready been in your housefor a while.
A musky odor in enclosed areas may signal the presence of rodents or their nests, he explains.
The odor stems from the accumulating urine and droppings in closed-off, hidden areas of your home.
Trust your ears, too.
The first thing homeowners tend to notice is noise associated with movement or gnawing, he says.
Rats, mice, and squirrels have tiny claws that scrape against wood as they move.
Mice can make a lot more noise than their small size might suggest, adds Fredericks.
And because rodent teeth never stop growing, the pests need to wear them down by chewing.
Any hard surface with a bit of give, like wood or plastic, is a target.
They might respond by being agitated.
If your pet starts becoming very alert and restless, they might be sensing rodents around the house.
Cats have a bionic sense of hearing and can hear mice giggle in the walls.
Animals will often completely ignore even obvious noises from rodents, he says.
This might include gnawed pieces of paper or cloth, which may indicate rodent nesting behavior, notes Bossel.
While gnaw marks on food containers might be an obvious sign, gnaw marks elsewhere can be overlooked.
You might also see small piles of shelled seeds or husks outside the home.
Something subtle to look for: Marks on walls and baseboards.
Rats and mice will explore a house for food and travel the same paths, notes Carlson.
Smudges along the baseboards are a sign of rodent movement.
The body oils and grease from their fur will leave rub marks along the walls.
If you suspect rodents have invaded, the sooner you contact a professional pest control pro, the better.
Early intervention is one of the most effective ways to manage rodent issues, Fredericks says.
