As the winter months approach, more and more Irish homes are experiencing an infestation of mice and rats as they search for warmer homes ahead of the change in weather.
Despite the pain and dangers of having an infestation in your house, Pest Control specialists have said that they are seeing rats 'as big as cats' finding their way into Irish homes.
There are a few tell-tale signs that indicate you’re sharing your home with a family of rodents - from a change in your house pets, to odours developing over time.
So here are the most common signs of an infestation as the winter months approach, according to Rentokil.
Odour
Odour is usually one of the first things homeowners notice before they locate a rodent infestation in their homes.
Houses where mice and rats have found a cosy place to hold up for the winter commonly have a heavy, pungent, musky stench throughout.
Change in pets behaviour
If your pets with strong noses are unexplainably active and excited in certain areas of the house, a nearby rat nest could be the reason they’re distressed.
Tampered packaging
One of the biggest reasons pests break into homes is to find food, when sources in nature become scarce in the colder conditions.
Rodents are notorious for finding their way into even sealed food containers and packages using their teeth and claws to rip open plastic containers.
If you find any food with ripped or torn packets, throw it out and contact a pest control professional to see if rodents might be the cause.
Droppings
Finding rodent droppings in or around your home is a common sign of a severe infestation that needs immediate attention.
Like tampered food packaging, rodent droppings can warn you of an infestation, but they are also a major safety hazard, and can spread diseases including hantavirus, salmonella, rat-bite fever, and even bubonic plague.
These can be anywhere in the house, but be in particular keep an eye out for droppings in the attic and basement for your home.
Grease Smears
Rats and mice have grease in their fur that leaves damaging marks on wooden furniture or appliances they come into contact with.
Check the walls and surfaces for any discoloured areas that could indicate a rodent rubbing off it.
If you’ve noticed any discoloured areas inside or outside the home, especially near any holes or tears, they could be from rodents.
Gnawing marks
Mice and rats have to constantly gnaw on objects because their teeth never stop growing.
So, the longer an infestation is present and the more times rodents pass through a particular area of your home, the worse the damage will be.
Look for any gnaw marks on wires, cardboard boxes, furniture, and any wooden items.
In the attic, pay attention to the insulation, as this is a common indicator that mice have been tearing into it to make nest materials.
Live rats or mice
If you spot a live rat or mouse in your home this means that the nest has become overpopulated - so don't assume there is only one or two present.
If you see a live rat or mouse in your home, you need to get a licensed and certified pest control professional as soon as possible.
