If the thought of having rodents living in your home makes you cringe, you are not alone. These little animals can bring diseases and other disease carriers such as mites and ticks, and their excrement is dirty and smelly. The trouble is that rodents can sometimes be tricky to spot; here’s what you need to know to find and protect against rodents in your home.

Inside the Home

Most rodents are nocturnal, so chances are you will not catch them relaxing in your living room on a sunny afternoon. Instead, they will be hiding in various places around the home, waiting for the cover and quiet of night to search for food.

Mice and other small rodents will make their nest in tight spaces that they think larger animals will not be able to breach. The small space between walls is a common place for a hidey-hole, along with crowded basements and crawl spaces. You may also find them making a home in the back corner of a closet or seldom-used cabinet, inside furniture and appliances, or anywhere else that is quiet and warm.

Signs of Trouble

In some cases, you will spot a rodent in your home and know that it is time to take action. In other cases, it may not be so obvious–especially if you are not sure what the signs of an infestation are. Here is what you should be looking for if you think you have visitors:

Droppings

Rodents make a lot of poop, so their droppings are usually easy to spot. Most rodent droppings look like black or dark-colored grains of rice.

Nibble Marks

You might find evidence of chewing on food packages, cords, walls, or trim as rodents search for something to eat and gnaw on surfaces to keep their teeth healthy.

Noise

You may hear rodents squeaking or rustling around in the evening as they become active and start searching for food.

Protecting Your Home

Making your home uncomfortable for rodents is the first step to keeping them out. Make sure food in pantries and cabinets are tightly sealed, and that trash cans have tight lids. Do not leave uneaten pet food in dishes. Make sure to periodically clean and declutter areas where rodents may hide or nest, and seal off any gaps or cracks in your home’s exterior that may provide a point of entry for unwanted guests.

Prevent rodents from invading your home. Hire a professional to check your home and get a rodent control.