Do You Know the Rodent Red Flags?

Do you smell a rat? Don’t let these sneaky pests fool you. From stock rooms and break rooms to suspended ceilings and wall voids, rodents have no trouble finding sources of food, water and shelter at your business. And they know how to stay out of sight. To help catch the problem early, it’s important to know the bread crumbs rodents leave behind. (For a comprehensive look at how rodents impact your business, download our free report, RATS! A Guide to Avoiding Rodents at Your Business.)

The best way to get ahead of a rodent infestation is to include your staff in the effort. Rodent monitoring should be part of your regular sanitation and maintenance routines, and you should educate your staff on pest management best practices. Here are the rodent warning signs that you and your staff should be able to identify:

1. Droppings – Rodents leave behind a lot of droppings, and seeing these capsule-like pellets around your business should raise a red flag. Rodent droppings can transmit disease, so make sure your employees take the appropriate precautions. They should wear rubber gloves and a OSHA-approved respirator during the removal process and disinfect the area with spray disinfectant.

2. Nests – Rats and mice build nests from shredded material, like paper, cloth and cardboard. They are usually found in dark areas like crawlspaces, between walls and in garbage dumps.

3. Burrows – While some rodents prefer to scurry along the roof, others take refuge underground. If that is the case, their nests may be hidden in burrows. Rats and mice can create elaborate underground tunnels or just simple excavated holes. Click here to learn more about the differences between common rodent species.

4. Grease marks – Rodents are so dirty that their bodies leave behind grease marks as they travel along walls. Darker grease stains generally indicate heavier activity in that area. But never fear – rodents’ filth can come back to bite them. Take note of grease marks and strategically place rodent traps along frequently traveled paths.

5. Gnaw marks – With teeth that never stop growing, rodents can literally take a bite out of your business. Look for chew marks in walls, insulation, wires, flooring, pallets and products. Also take note of heavy scratching noises, as these could be the sound of chewing rodents.

Rodents can pose serious threats to your business, so the more hands on deck, the better. Schedule a staff training with your pest management provider so that your employees will know what to look for and how to report rodent activity. With an effective monitoring and documentation process in place, you’ll be able to gnaw away at your rodent problem in no time.

Looking for more information to chew on? Download our free report, RATS! A Guide to Avoiding Rodents at Your Business.

Want more? You might also like:

How to Deal With Rodent Risks in the Wake of COVID-19

Many businesses adapted to unusual circumstances during the global COVID-19 pandemic, including altered operating hours, unpredictable customer traffic and general uncertainty about the future. Even as things change all around us, pest threats remain a constant—which means your business is sti …

Keep Reading »

Checklist: Integrated Pest Management for Essential Businesses During COVID-19

If your business is designated as an essential service provider and is operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re probably already facing a lot of pressure. Between maintaining a hygienic environment, making a profit and providing good service, pest management may not be top of mind. But whether …

Keep Reading »

Top Pests Threatening Businesses During COVID-19

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing your business and customers to adapt to shelter-in-place and social distancing orders, pest control may be tough for you to manage right now, alongside all your other concerns. But with the reduction of human activity at your business, a larger number of pests are …

Keep Reading »