How to Detect a Rodent Infestation and What to Do About It

rodent infestation

If you think you might have a rodent infestation in your home, you need to do something about it. Left alone, rodents like rats and mice can:

  • Damage property – things like insulation, pipes, floorboards and electrical wiring, which can become a fire hazard
  • Spread disease – rat and mouse urine and droppings can contaminate food and spread diseases like Leptospirosis, Hantavirus and Salmonellosis

Rodents are social animals and can breed quickly, so it’s important to get in control of the problem before you become overrun.

How can I tell if I have a rodent infestation in my home?

There are many signs that you could have a rodent infestation. These include:

  • Scratching noises – listen out for scratching noises at night coming from lofts, walls and floor cavities
  • Droppings – both rat and mouse droppings are small and dark coloured
  • Grease marks – dark smudge marks on surfaces
  • Nests – piles of shredded soft materials
  • Footprints – foot and tail marks

Rodents tend to use established routes, so you might find that these signs accumulate in certain areas.

What should I do if I think there’s a rodent infestation in my home?

There is a range of different things you can do if you think you have a rodent infestation in your home. Putting poison down is an effective way to kill rodents but it’s viewed by many people as cruel. Plus, you might end up with dead rats or mice in places that are hard to access.

You can also use traps to get rid of a rodent infestation. Snap traps are most common but live traps are more humane. These allow you to catch the rodent and release it a distance away from your house.

There are also natural methods that many people claim to get rid of rodents. These include mothballs and peppermint oil.

If you think you might have a rodent infestation, it’s a good idea to speak to a pest control professional. They will be able to inspect your home and advise you about the best action to take. Pest control professionals are skilled at using methods that don’t put your children or pets at risk, so are well worth speaking to.

If you want to get in touch with a pest control professional in your area, click ‘Start my project’ and complete our online form. We’ll put you in touch with up to 4 local professionals.

Treatment time

Usually from 1 day - 1 week

Depending on the scale of the infestation

Professional pest control cost

Approx. £150 - £200

For an inspection, treatment and follow-up visit