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Rats are known to spread disease, damage property, and contaminate food. If they are able to gain entry into your home or business, they can cause an infestation and also introduce other unwelcome parasites like fleas, lice, and ticks.
Acting at the first sign of a suspected rat in your home can reduce the length of time needed to effectively control a house infested with them. These rodents are able to breed quickly and a small problem has the potential to develop into a serious infestation if left unmanaged. Understanding how to prevent rats is key to stopping them before they become a problem. Below we take a look at what causes a rat infestation, signs of rats in your home, and some actions you can take to prevent an infestation.
Call Ehrlich today at 800-837-5520 if you are worried about a rat problem.
Rats can find their way into your house through any external opening in your roof, doors, or siding, being able to squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter. If that doesn’t work, they have very strong teeth to gnaw on the opening to make it larger. Once inside, they have easy access to their two life necessities: shelter and food. It is pretty difficult to get rid of rats once they are in your home. If not controlled right away, it only takes a couple of rats to quickly breed and create an infestation. Once a nest has been made, you will need a professional to eliminate it for you to ensure a potential infestation does not spread any further.
What to look for to identify signs of rats
The most obvious sign of rats in your home is finding a live or dead rat. They typically stay out of sight, so seeing one out in the open is usually a good indication the nest became overpopulated and that there may be an infestation in your home. The main signs of rats include: Below we highlight the main signs of a rat infestation in and around your property.
Rat droppings
Rat droppings are usually found in concentrated areas as they produce up to 40 droppings per night. Brown rat droppings are dark brown in a tapered, spindle shape about 9mm - 14mm long. They can resemble a large grain of rice. Black rat droppings can be up to ¾” long and are capsule-shaped. Rat droppings can carry unwanted pathogens that can transmit diseases, like Hantavirus, to humans.
Noises
Are you hearing noises on your roof? Black rats are agile climbers, giving them their common name - the roof rat. Hearing scratching noises on your roof is typically a sign of this pest as black rats can easily gain access into attics, loft spaces, and upper floors of buildings.
Brown rats, on the other hand, are less adept climbers. You may hear them scurrying under your decking, sheds, or floorboards. They are more likely to be identified by a grinding noise they make with their teeth, known as bruxing.
Footprints
It is common to see footprints and tail marks in dusty, less-used areas of buildings. Shining a strong flashlight at a low angle should reveal any rat tracks. To establish if an infestation is active, sprinkle fine flour or talc along a small stretch of floor near the footprints and check for fresh tracks the next day.
Rub marks
Rats use established routes along baseboards and walls due to their poor eyesight. Grease and dirt on their bodies leave smudges and dark marks on both objects and surfaces they repeatedly brush against.
Gnaw marks
Rats have teeth that grow continuously, so they need to gnaw on wood and plastic to keep them trim. You may notice ripped food packaging, as they tear open food, leaving visible teeth marks. They also have the potential to cause fires by chewing through electrical cables.
Rat nests
Rats build nests in warm, hidden places using shredded material such as newspaper and fabrics. Nests will often contain their young, and are usually located close to a food source. You may find a nest in your kitchen or laundry room behind or under appliances, as these provide warmth. They can also be found in lofts, attics, under eaves, and even in cavity walls.
Rat holes
Brown rats are well known for digging and excavating extensive burrow systems for shelter, food storage, and nesting. Look for burrows in compost heaps, under decking or garden sheds, or in garages.
Smells
One of the telltale signs of a rat infestation is a strong, musty odor. Rats leave behind droppings, urine, and nesting materials, all of which emit an unpleasant scent that may permeate the area they inhabit. In enclosed spaces or areas with poor ventilation, this smell can become especially noticeable and persistent.
Pet behavior
Cats and dogs have keen senses and may become noticeably more alert or anxious around areas where rats are active. Pets might scratch at walls, floors, or specific spots they don’t normally focus on. A dog’s barking or a cat’s stalking behavior near the same area could be a sign they’ve detected rats moving or nesting nearby.
Signs of rats in homes
Rats love to make your house their home, both inside and outside. They can make any space a nest utilizing your leftover scraps. Black rats love to nest in attics and lofts, whereas brown rats make their nests under your deck or in any crawl space.
Kitchens and pantries
Rats are attracted to food sources, making kitchens and pantries prime locations for their activity. Signs of rats here include gnaw marks on food packaging, as rats often chew through bags, boxes, and plastic containers to access food. You might notice small droppings, typically about the size of a grain of rice, in cabinets or behind appliances. Grease or smear marks along walls or baseboards are another sign, as rats often run the same routes, leaving trails of oils from their fur. Noises, especially at night, may also indicate rodent activity in your kitchen or pantry.
Attics and roof spaces
Rats often seek shelter in attics and roof spaces, especially during colder months. In these areas, you may hear scratching or scurrying sounds, particularly at night when rats are most active. Look for nests made of shredded loft insulation, paper, or fabric, as rats gather soft materials to create nesting sites. Chewed electrical wiring is another common sign of rats in attics, which can pose a fire hazard, and droppings or a strong, musky odor are additional indicators of a rodent infestation in these upper spaces.
Basements and crawl spaces
Basements and crawl spaces provide dark, secluded areas that rats find appealing for nesting. In these areas, look for droppings along walls or near food storage areas. Rats may also gnaw on wood, plastic, or other materials in basements, leaving visible bite marks. Grease marks along walls, as well as burrows in insulation or under foundations, can signal an active rodent problem. As with other spaces, a persistent, unpleasant odor may indicate a larger infestation and necessitate a call to a pest control service.
Signs of rats outside
Gardens and yards
In gardens and yards, signs of a rodent infestation include burrows or holes in the soil, often found near plants or shrubs. Rats are drawn to gardens with accessible food sources, such as bird feeders, pet food, or fallen fruit from trees. Gnaw marks on plant stems or vegetables, as well as small droppings, are common indicators. Keeping these areas clean and limiting food sources can help deter rats and prevent the need for rat extermination.
Garages and sheds
Garages and sheds provide shelter, warmth, and food sources, making them attractive to rats. Look for gnaw marks on wood, stored items, or containers, as rats often chew to access food or nesting materials. Droppings and grease marks along baseboards or around the door areas may also point to a rat infestation. Ensure that garages and sheds are well-sealed and kept clean to keep rats away from your property.
Near decking and compost areas
Decking and compost areas can be hotspots for rats looking to nest or forage. Signs of rats in these areas include burrows around the base of the decking, gnaw marks on wood or plants, and tracks or droppings nearby. Compost piles, especially if they contain food scraps, are highly attractive to rats. Using secure, closed compost bins and sealing off areas under decking can help prevent rats from nesting and reduce the need for rat extermination.
Need help with rat pest control?
If you think you have a rat-infested house, it is important to act quickly to control the level of infestation and reduce the health risks posed by this rodent.
At Ehrlich, our qualified local specialists are backed by global knowledge and innovation. We are able to provide the most effective services to get rid of rats. We can also advise you on how to deter rats in the first place and avoid a rat infestation in your home or business.
Call us today on 1-800-837-5520 or contact your local office to arrange for effective solutions to get rid of rats quickly.
For more information about rodent control for common rats in the U.S., see our articles on how to get rid of rats and how rat bait stations work.