Rats are shy creatures that are active after dark. Most humans rarely see an actual rat in their homes. However, if you do see one, there is a likelihood that you have more than one rat in your house. You may even have an infestation.
Rats are very destructive as well as dangerous. They make their homes indoors inside walls, attics, crawlspaces and ceilings. They carry a number of diseases and have the potential to severely damage a residence if they are left on their own.
In order to determine if you have an infestation, first look for dead or living rats. They are difficult to spot because they hide during the day and do their foraging at night. Other indications of the presence of rats include droppings in your pantry, kitchen or other potential food sources. Rats also leave behind greasy marks along baseboards and walls where they travel along paths to get to their burrows or nests.
Additional signs to look for are rat runs outdoors. These are the trails that rats travel along to get from their home to a food or water source. The runs are usually in tall grass or sheltered areas. These paths can be lengthy, depending on where the food sources are located. Outdoors, rats build burrows under roots and along the edges of driveways or sidewalks.
Chew markings on hard surfaces such as wood or hard plastic are also signs of a rat problem. Rats gnaw incessantly, so they will leave large tooth marks in these surfaces.
If you see signs of rats, a wise course is to contact a pest control professional. They can help you identify where your rats are living and exterminate them safely and efficiently. They can also help prevent future infestations.