No homeowner wants a pest infestation, especially when those pests are rodents. Rodents can spread disease and ruin your food supply. Imagine the amount of stress and sleepless nights one can have when they fear little mice or large rats running around in their home. According to the CDC, mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel, and rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a half dollar! Don't hesitate to call your local exterminator if you see the following signs.

1. Structural Damage

Unfortunately, rodents have very sharp teeth that can cut through various housing materials. They can cut through drywall, wires, and floorboards. You may see chew marks on wires and at various entry points. Be sure to note the small holes they often cut between your lower wall and floorboards.

2. Bad Smells

Do you go out of your way to keep a clean house but have begun to notice bad smells, particularly from a certain location? Rodents can multiply very quickly due to a very short gestation period. Therefore, if your property has an untreated rodent infestation, don't be surprised when bad smells develop. The more they multiply, the more you'll smell rodent droppings, discarded food, or dead and decaying rodents that may be stuck in places. If you have set DIY poison for them, they may have crawled somewhere and died. There may be a dead rodent somewhere in your wall creating unbearable smells. That's why it's best to let a professional local exterminator handle this situation.

3. Nesting

When rodents invade your home, they need some place to nest as they'll likely begin to reproduce quickly. They tend to build their nest in dark, hidden places. You may notice shredded paper or fabric in areas they hide in. If unsure where they're nesting, you should start by checking closets, attics, or basements. If you avoid having clutter in your home, it won't be easy for them to nest in various places.

4. Droppings

Last but not least, one of the easiest and yuckiest ways to know you have a rodent infestation is by the sight of droppings. Rodents poop and urine just about anywhere they go. To make matters worse, they'll often defecate right around your food supply, as that's where they're most attracted to. Look around water sources like fixtures and under the sink.

Always take a mouse or rat infestation seriously. They're destructive vermin that can spread disease and ruin your food supply. Remember, they were responsible for spreading the bubonic plague centuries ago. Ensure the safety of your home and your family's health by calling your local exterminator immediately at Bugout Termite & Pest Control Inc.