Keep an Eye Out For Signs of a Rodent Infestation This Fall

FARMINGDALE, NJ (Friday, September 18th, 2020)– It’s that time of year again — football season, trips to your local farm, and crisp, fall weather. But before you break out your favorite pumpkin spice-flavored treats, it’s important to remember to keep alert for uninvited guests looking to join in on the fun. As temperatures begin to cool, Cowleys Pest Services, a Pest Control company that has been servicing Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, and Mercer County for 30 years, in partnership with the National Pest Management Association, is sharing signs homeowners should look out for that could signal a rodent infestation has taken hold.  

“While many think pests like rats and mice disappear during the fall, it’s actually quite the opposite!” said Drew Cowley, Founder, and Co-Owner of Cowleys Pest Services. “While rodent infestations are common throughout the year, they are particularly troublesome as colder weather arrives and food sources diminish. These stark changes to their environment make homes the ideal spot for them to hide out, especially as we all spend more time at home this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in more waste for rodents to feed on.”  

Rodents are able to transmit more than 35 diseases to humans, posing a serious health threat to you and your family should they find their way indoors. To help keep your family protected this fall, Cowleys Pest Services and the NPMAhave identified the following top six tell-tale signs of a rodent infestation:

• Droppings: Finding droppings in the home is one of the most common signs of a rodent infestation. Homeowners often find these where food is stored, such as kitchen cabinets or pantries, as well as under sinks, inside chewed cardboard boxes, and along baseboards.
• Gnaw marks: Rodents will chew through almost any type of material to obtain food or water, causing serious damage to a home. Rats are also known to gnaw on wires behind walls, potentially resulting in dangerous house fires.
• Nests: Rodents prefer to hide in dark, secluded areas of the home and will use any materials available to build their nest. If you see items such as paper products or cotton strewed about, it might be a sign of a rodent infestation.
• Tracks or rub marks: As rats follow a trail between their nest and food sources throughout a home, they will often leave dark grease or dirt marks along walls and floorboards. 
• Strange noises: Hearing strange noises at night could be attributed to a family of mice scurrying about the house, between the walls and up in attics and crawlspaces. 
• An actual rodent: Mice are known to reproduce quickly, as a female house mouse can give birth to a half dozen babies every three weeks or up to 35 young per year. Chances are if you see one mouse in the house, there are more hidden behind the walls!