When it comes to infestations, sometimes the first indication of a problem is when animal droppings are found. Not only can this be quite gross or unsettling to homeowners, but it could be the first tell-tale sign of a more significant issue that needs to be addressed quickly. Of course, it is always best to consult with a professional exterminator such as Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control to properly identify and treat an infestation, but there are a few ways to tell what critter you may be dealing with by the excrements they left behind. Whether you have just started your search for “Laporte Pest Control” or you have been searching for a while, we are here to make your pest control journey smoother. Keep reading to learn more about identifying the pest you are dealing with based on their droppings.
How to Identify What Laporte Pest Control Services Are Needed Based On Animal Droppings
1. Rat Excrements
If you notice a lot of droppings all over your home, this is a good indication that you may be dealing with rats. Rats typically excrete more droppings than other similar-sized pests, with some leaving as many as 25,000 pellets over a year. However, rats tend to poop as they move around, so most likely, you will not see massive piles of pellets in a single location if you have rats living in your home.
When rat excrements are fresh, they typically are darker in color and are soft to the touch. This matters because the pellets become lighter in color and harden over time, which can give you a good indication of how long ago the rat was in that particular location of your home. Rat droppings can be as large as 3/4 of an inch long and generally have a spindle-like shape and look like big pieces of rice. Rats can cause a lot of damage quickly to your home, so when in doubt, contact a professional to exterminate.
2. Mice Droppings
Like rat droppings, mice leave little to the imagination in terms of their poop. Mice tend to deposit many pellets quickly, producing as much as 27,000 pellets in a single year. Unlike rat droppings, mice have much smaller, seed-like excrements that usually only are at max 1/4 inch long. Homeowners will typically find mouse poop close to the areas they explore, such as a kitchen, as they always like to be near a food source. This is why you will notice mice droppings in food storage areas more often than in other areas of your home. The droppings are light brown to black in color when fresh.
3. Cockroach Excrements
The last type of excrements we will discuss come from cockroaches. Cockroaches leave small ground pepper-like poops, also called frass, that can be sprinkled across both floors and walls in homes. Since cockroach’s leave sticky excrement, if you see them, this will indicate the exact location that a cockroach traveled to in your home. Be aware that cockroach droppings are harmful and can lead to many illnesses such as salmonella and asthma in humans. For this reason, it’s essential to contact a professional as soon as possible to make sure your home is illness-free.
To learn more about similar topics, check out our other blog posts: Northern Colorado Emergency Pest Control and How Does an Exterminator Get Rid of Mice? Contact Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control to schedule your appointment today.
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