As winter approaches, rodents begin to seek warmth and humidity within open residences and homes throughout the Chicago, IL area. These creatures can can easily penetrate your home and business, causing serious harm. It’s better to capture rodents as their number increases, even though a bigger mice infestation makes them more noticeable. But how do you know if you have a rodent problem? In this post, we’ll discuss the most common signs of a rodent infestation in Chicago and how to avoid them.

How do you know if you’ve got a rodent problem?

The following signs will help you spot a rodent infestation: 

Marks for chewing

Finding small chew marks appearing on wood, cardboard, doors, walls, and other materials? Rodents of all types gnaw on everything from the baseboard to the cables. 

A musk odor

A musty odor is often present when there is an infestation. When the infestation worsens, the odor becomes more pungent and heavier. 

Rotten stench

When a rodent dies inside a Chicago property, the stench is unbearable. Calling pest control specialists is even more important in this situation since they are familiar with different methods for eliminating the rotting odor.

Wear gloves and a mask if you have to remove a dead rat from your own.

Unusual pet activity

It’s possible that your dog or cat scratching on the walls or acting erratically in a certain location of your Chicago home could be a sign of a rodent infestation. 

It’s useful knowledge to include pest control experts so you can find out or note where they demonstrate this behavior.

Droppings

The most frequent symptom of an infestation is the presence of rodent droppings. Mice droppings are tiny and dark brown with pointed ends, reaching no more than 14 centimeters in length.

You can find rat droppings anywhere in your home, which will give you hints about the infestation and allow you to take appropriate action.

Tracks

The other noticeable sign of a rodent infestation is small footprints left by the rodents. Look for these up close, where dust can quickly collect and possible trails can be identified.

Holes in the ground/ walls

Mice and rats are infamous for chewing items, and they will sometimes gnaw small holes in thin walls or other surfaces to obtain passage from one place to another.

Allergies

It may be difficult to identify allergies, but pest-related allergies are often ignored. Some people are allergic to rat fur and droppings, which can cause skin allergies. A pest-free household, according to 97 percent of allergists, can help with daily allergy symptoms.

They make noise

Scrambling, gnawing sounds, and scraping are all signals that a rodent or rodents have taken up residency in your Chicago home or business. Attics, ceilings, and internal walls are often disturbed by noises.

Rodent Control: A Step-by-Step Guide

Fortunately, there are a number of choices for getting rid of a rodent infestation. Let’s go over a few pest management moves. 

1. Install door sweeps on exterior doors and replaces any screens that are broken.

2. Chimney openings and screen vents

3. Caulk, steel wool, or a mixture of both may be used to seal gaps and holes on the exterior of the building, even places where utilities and pipes join the house.

4. Food should be stored in airtight containers, and trash should be disposed of daily.

5. Maintain good ventilation and dryness in attics, basements, and crawl spaces.

6. Replace some loose mortar or weather stripping around the foundations and windows of the basement.

7. Remove any traces of moisture, such as leaking pipes and clogged drains, which serve as ideal breeding grounds for the pest.

8. Inspect items carried into your Chicago home, such as bottles, shopping bags, and other packages.

9. Keep shrubbery clipped and cut back from the house and store firewood at least 20 feet apart.

10. If you suspect a rodent infestation in your Chicago home, have it inspected and treated by a certified rodent control expert. 

You can learn more about pest control prevention measures by accessing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. 

If you notice a rodent infestation in your estate, act quickly to address the problem. Rodents are known for easily reproducing issues, and if left unchecked, a minor issue will easily develop into a significant problem.

Controlling and managing rodents is important for your health and safety. If you are unable to do so on your own, contact a pest control professional for rodent infestation cleanup. The Rodent Control Chicago team will be delighted to assist you with your rodent concerns, and we are just a phone call away.