How do you know if a rodent is gone?

Like droppings, mice also tend to leave unpleasant odors in the urine. A good way to know if mice no longer roam your home is if the foul odor, similar to ammonia, decreases. You can't smell this smell if the mice are no longer revived in your home. Cats and dogs (or even a rat or mouse as a pet) can become active and excited in areas where there are rodents.

This is the result of rodent urine odor and is more likely to occur when rodents have recently entered a structure. If you see your pet kicking an area where you weren't interested in before, pick up a flashlight and examine the area for rats or mice. If an infestation is large, you may also detect a continuous smell of stale ammonia from hidden areas, indicating an active infestation. This differs from the smell of a dead mouse that could be trapped on the wall or in a hidden area; that smell is an unforgettable pungent, sour smell that permeates the area.

You're much more likely to hear mice than to see them. There could be sounds of skidding behind walls and scrapes under floorboards and in closets or squeaks at night. If you make a sound, you'll most likely hear them stop. If you remain silent, they will resume their activities once they think they are safe again.

New droppings are shiny and have a putty-like texture, while old droppings are hard and brittle. Different stool sizes indicate that there are juveniles and adults, and a lot of excrement can be an indication of a large infestation. The location of the droppings indicates the active areas where you should place bait or traps. Rodent urine has a strong musky smell.

With large infestations, you can easily smell it. The gnawed mouse holes are small, clear, and about the size of a dime. Gnawed rat holes are large, about the size of a quarter, with ragged, rough edges. Oily rubbing marks are left in places where rodents travel along walls.

If the rub marks get stained, you'll know they're fresh. Gnawing marks on the wood around the house are also a sign. Tooth marks about 1/8 inch long are typical of rats and small scratch marks are a sign of mice. Common rodent paths are usually found along interior walls, building foundations, ledges, pipes, electrical cables, ducts, tree branches, and fence rails.

Mice shred paper, ropes, and other flexible materials to build their nests indoors. Norwegian rats nest outdoors in burrows deep in the ground. Roof rats usually nest above the ground in attics, trees, or dense vegetation. At night, they often create scratchy sounds as they run inside walls and across the floor.

Pets tend to act unusual when they hear or smell rodents in the house. They may appear extremely alert, bark, or start stroking spaces under refrigerators, stoves, or low-rise furniture. For more information, read Telltale Signs of a Rodent Infestation. Patrick Road Plaistow London E13 9QA.

Identifying the right culprit rodent and understanding its behavior can help you select the right rodent control solution and help prevent future infestations.