Don’t Miss These Six Signs of Rodent Activity

Protecting your Virginia home from rodents starts with spotting the early signs of their presence. These quiet, nocturnal scavengers move through walls, ceilings, and hidden spaces with ease. While they’re experts at staying out of sight, they always leave behind clues. Recognizing these signs early can help you act before the problem grows.

Discover the six most common signs of rodent activity and learn how to recognize an infestation. Tap or click each one to explore more details:

1. Droppings

2. Nests and Nesting Material
3. Strange Noises
4. Tracks and Rub Marks
5. Gnaw Marks
6. Actual Rodents

Recognizing the Early Warning Signs of Rodent Activity

Before you ever spot one, rodents usually leave behind subtle signs of their presence. You might hear faint scratching in the walls or notice small gnaw marks on furniture. Recognizing these early warnings can help stop a bigger problem before it starts. Keep an eye out for these six common signs of rodent activity:

Droppings

Rodent droppings are one of the most telling signs of an infestation. Their size and shape can help you determine whether you’re dealing with mice or rats. Use the guide below to learn what to look for:

• Rat Droppings: Typically larger than mouse droppings, these measure about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long and have blunt or rounded ends, resembling small beans or olive pits. Fresh droppings appear dark and shiny, while older ones fade to gray, dry out, and crumble easily when handled.
• Mouse Droppings: These tiny pellets measure around 1/8 to 1/4 inch long and resemble grains of rice with pointed ends. Because a single mouse can leave behind 50 to 80 droppings each day, you’ll often find them scattered inside cabinets, drawers, or along baseboards where mice tend to travel.

Inspect hidden areas such as behind the stove or fridge, beneath sinks, inside cupboards, and near baseboards for any droppings or chew marks. Rodents favor these cozy, covered spaces, making them key places to spot an infestation early.

Nests and Nesting Material

Using shredded paper, fabric, and insulation, rodents create cozy nests in concealed areas. You might not see the nests directly, but traces of their work are often easy to find. Keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Norway Rat Nests: Norway rats shred and collect soft materials to line their burrows, which are often dug in basements, crawl spaces, or along building foundations. These burrows create warm, hidden nesting spots.
• Mice Nests: Mice build small nests made of finely shredded materials that look like loose, fluffy balls. They typically hide them behind appliances, inside cabinets, within walls, or in the corners of rarely used drawers.
• Roof Rat Nests: Excellent climbers, roof rats create their nests in high places such as attics and ceiling voids, where they can stay safe, warm, and out of view.

Examine secluded spots for accumulations of shredded paper, cloth, insulation, or dried plant matter, as these often point to active rodent nests.

Strange Noises

Most rodents come out after dark, so their activity is often easier to detect when the household settles down. Their gnawing and scurrying noises are telltale signs. Listen for these typical sounds:

• Squeaking: Sharp, high-pitched sounds that rodents use to communicate, signal distress, or during mating behavior.
• Scratching: Soft, quick noises often coming from inside walls, ceilings, or floors as rodents move or burrow through materials.
• Gnawing: Distinctive chewing sounds are produced when rodents bite wood, wiring, insulation, or other materials to keep their constantly growing teeth worn down.
• Scurrying: Fast, shuffling sounds usually heard from behind walls, under floors, or in attics as rodents move through hidden spaces.

Listen closely for unusual noises in the attic or kitchen when the house is quiet. Soft scratching or scurrying sounds can signal rodents looking for food or a place to hide.

Tracks and Rub Marks

As rodents follow the same paths, they leave behind oily, dark marks on walls or baseboards. These smears stand out on otherwise clean surfaces. Look for these indicators:

• Tracks: Check dusty or undisturbed areas for small paw prints or tail marks. Sprinkling a thin layer of flour or cornstarch overnight can make fresh tracks easier to see.
• Rub Marks: As rodents travel along walls and baseboards, their fur leaves behind oil and dirt, creating dark streaks. Thicker marks indicate areas of frequent activity.

Even subtle clues can provide important insight into rodent activity. Noticing tracks and rub marks early helps you respond promptly, avoiding more extensive damage and infestations.

Gnaw Marks

To manage their constantly growing teeth, rodents chew on items around your home. This can lead to damage and potential safety risks. Watch for these signs of chewing activity:

• Rats: Rats have strong teeth that leave deep, rough gnaw marks on wood, plastic, and even softer metals like aluminum. Their chewing often results in more significant damage than that caused by mice.
• Mice: Mice produce small, precise chew marks on soft wood, cardboard, or insulation as they gnaw for food or to build nests.

Check hidden areas like behind cabinets, around wiring, near pet food, and in corners for gnaw marks. Chewed wires indicate rodent activity and pose a fire hazard, so take action right away.

Actual Rodents

Mice and rats can remain unseen for a long time, only revealing themselves through clear signs of activity. Proper identification helps target control measures. Frequently spotted rodents include:

• House Mice: The house mouse is the most common species, small and highly adaptable, often nesting in walls, cabinets, or other cluttered areas.
• Deer Mice: Usually found in dense wooded regions, deer mice have distinctive two-toned fur and large eyes. They can carry diseases, posing a potential health risk.
• Norway Rats: Also called brown rats, these rodents are larger and more robust than mice. They burrow in basements, crawl spaces, or along foundations and are strong chewers capable of causing significant damage.
• Roof Rats: Slim and agile climbers, roof rats build nests in attics, ceiling voids, or trees. Larger than mice, they are skilled at navigating high or hard-to-reach areas.

If you see a rodent in your home, it’s likely not alone. Calling an expert rodent exterminator promptly can help prevent extensive damage and costly repairs.

Need Help with Rodent Activity? Turn to Xceptional Wildlife Removal

Noticing rodent activity is a strong sign that your Virginia home may be under invasion. While spotting these signs can be stressful, early action allows you to stop the infestation before it spreads. Prompt intervention helps reduce property damage, save time, and lower costs.

Xceptional Wildlife Removal can provide professional assistance. We offer detailed inspections and tailored solutions to eliminate rodents effectively. Our experts walk you through the process to ensure you’re informed and confident every step of the way.

Call Xceptional Wildlife Removal now for a professional evaluation of your rodent situation and a complimentary estimate.