Both Mice and Rats are largely nocturnal creatures, if they are observed in plain sight then it is a likely indicator that an infestation already exists. With growing population numbers rodents can be forced out into the open. If you have not visually identified a rodent there are other signs of evidence to indicate rodent activity, these can often be seen before actually seeing the rodent itself. This articular aims to act as a brief guideline into they key visual signs of activity to help you ascertain if you have a rodent problem.

Rat droppings are….

– black in colour

– cyclindrical in shape and blunt at both ends

– 2cm in length (about the size of a sultana/raisin)

Rats produce up to 40 droppings per might, the morning after these will be soft and moist if fresh. Rats will remain stationary while defecating, as such their droppings tend to be in groupings and concentrated in specific locations.

Mice droppings are….

– black in colour

– rod shapped and pointed at both ends

– 5mm in length (about the size of a grain of rice)

Mice can produce between 70 to 150 droppings per day, the morning after these will be soft and moist if fresh. Mice are largely incontinent, as such they defecate as they travel forming sporadic patterns of droppings along routes of travel.

The front incisors of mice and rats are constantly growing throughout their life time, as such they need to continually gnaw to wear down their teeth. Generally gnawing will be on non-food materials including brickwork, pipework, wooden fixtures and electrical cables.

Both mice and rats have poor eyesight and so rely upon their whiskers for navigation, leading many routes of travel to be along the edges of surfaces for example along skirting boards. As they collect grease and dirt on their bodies they can leave dark marks and smudges  as they repeated brush against these surfaces.

In dusty areas food prints and tail marks will often become visible by shining a strong torch at a low angle. You can lay down flour or talc powder along a small stretch of floor near the footprints to check for freshly lain tracks.

By carefully looking for these key visual indicators you will be able to establish if you are suffering from a rodent problem and through talking to our team at Pest Control Supermarket you will be able to work out the best control measures to apply specific to your situation.