Few things are as frustrating as dealing with a rat problem in your home. Unfortunately, these pests can cause damage to your possessions and house structure. In addition, the rodents leave droppings that compromise the air quality indoors. Besides these two things, several other aspects indicate that you may have a rat infestation in your residence. Here's a more detailed overview of the elements worth checking out:

Rat Droppings Indoors

While you might not actually spot these pests, their droppings are a sure indicator that they're hiding somewhere within the house. Notably, when rat waste is fresh, it is moist and dark. However, when the droppings are older, they turn gray and crumble if jostled. In many cases, you'll notice these pests' droppings close to food or inside the attic.

A Foul Smell

If you notice a pungent smell in your home, you might have a rat problem. The odor is due to the rodents leaving urine and droppings in their nesting areas within your residence. Added to that is these pests' pungent body odor. For these reasons, many homes with a rat infestation have a musky, pungent smell. In case you've recently noticed a foul odor in your house, reach out to a pest removal professional for inspection and extermination as needed.

Bite Marks on Your Property

While searching for food, rats typically chew through food packaging and materials like drywall. Thus, you likely have a pest problem if you notice bite marks in such areas. Significantly, newer gnaw marks are often lighter in color and may point to a long-term infestation. Moreover, the size of the bite marks can indicate the type of rodent you could be dealing with. In this vein, larger marks may signify a rat problem, while smaller-sized ones might point to a mouse infestation.

Discoloration on Your Walls

It is important to understand that rat fur has grease, which can stick to the various surfaces they come in contact with. Accordingly, paying special attention to the baseboards, it is recommended that you regularly inspect the interior and exterior walls for discoloration that may be linked to rodent rubbing. Contact a pest removal professional to resolve the rodent problem if you observe this kind of discoloration.

On the first sign of a rat problem in your home, ensure that you have the pests eliminated promptly by a rat control service. These professionals have an expert understanding of rodents' behavior and work to prevent a re-infestation.