1. Rodent Droppings
Fresh rodent droppings are moist and dark. As they age, they end up drying out and will easily crumble if touched. You are most likely to find near food packages, under sinks, in drawers or cupboards, in places that are hidden from sight, and along rodent runways. Most rodent droppings will be found close to where the rodents are feeding or nesting, so you'll need to check the areas close to any new-found droppings to determine if there is still an active infestation.
2. Gnaw Marks
Entirely contrary to droppings, gnaw marks which are new will appear as a light color, while older ones will become dark. Such marks will usually be found on the structure of your home or on food packaging. Gnaw marks can also show you whether you have an infestation of rats or mice in your home. The bigger they are, the more likely it is that they were caused by rats, since mice only tend to leave very small gnaw marks.
3. Foul Odors
Family pets often get pretty excited in places where rodents are present due to the particular odor they give off. If your pet is pawing somewhere it never expressed interest before, then you should use a flashlight to inspect the area for mice or rats. If you've got a large-scale infestation on your hands, then you may also be able to smell a stale odor coming from the problem area.
4. Tracks and Runways
If rats or mice are currently present in your home, their tracks and runways are likely to be pretty distinctive, becoming fainter as time goes by. Runways or tracks can be detected easily with a flashlight or a blacklight. You might see smudge marks, urine stains, footprints or droppings. If you suspect an area has been infested, place a thin layer of baby powder or flour there. If your suspicions were correct, you will end up seeing their trails in the powder later on.
5. Nests
Rodents tend to make use of materials such as fabric, shredded paper or dried plant matter to construct their nests. If such materials are found, along with any of the other signs mentioned above, then it is highly probable that there is an infestation of rats or mice in your home.
How Did Alberta, Canada, Manage to Stay a Rat Free Area?
Rats like to dwell in urban areas, as they can find food and shelter quite easily there. So how did the city of Alberta, Canada, manage to stay rat-free?
Rodent Alert: Ways You May Be Inviting Mice into Your Home
Have you been unknowingly attracting rodents into your home? Below we list 6 ways you may actually be inviting these pests into your house...
Don't Let Rainwater Go To Waste! Make One of These...
If you are interested in making your own rain barrels, then check out this awesome video.
Keep Cats Away From Your Garden with These Tips
Keep cats at bay in your garden by following these tips.
Adorable - Man Builds A Whimsical Village For Mice
When Simon Dell discovered mice in his garden, he didn't try to get rid of them. Quite the opposite - he built them a dreamy little village.
10 Ways to Make Your Dog More Comfortable at Home
Dogs require plenty of love and attention, but they also need a good amount of space, too. Here's how to make room for your next canine companion.
If Food Has Ever Stuck To Your Pan, You Need This Tip
This video gives you 4 tips that ensure no food will ever stick to any of your pans.
Thriving After 50: A Guide to Making Friends in Later Life
Making friends in your 50s can be an uphill task for many. These simple tips will make it easy.
7 Easy, Low-Carb and Guilt-Free Pasta Recipes
Pasta is one of the most popular dishes in the world, and rightfully so – it’s easy to make, delicious, and the sauce options are numerous. Enjoy these 7 recipes that will make your cuisine dreams a reality.
12 Things Veterinarians Want Pet Owners to Know
To be in the know, you better read the 12 things that veterinarians want to tell you - the pet owners.
11 Uses of Nail Polish Remover That'll Surprise You
Nail polish remover does not only do what its name suggests. In fact, it has many other surprising uses, and here are 11 of them.
Persistent Bad Breath? Not With These Natural Remedies
Don't worry, there are plenty of natural remedies for this problem!
You Don’t Need a Garden to Grow Fruits & Vegetables!
Why not grow your own produce in your own home?
Shocking Bathroom Items That SHOULDN'T Be in the Bathroom
Bathrooms get so damp and humid, they are a breeding ground for bacteria. And here are 8 surprising things we need to keep out of the bathroom.
10 of the Fastest-Growing Vegetables
There is a variety of fast-growing vegetables, including legumes, leafy greens, and root vegetables. We feature 10 of the fastest-growing veggies in this article.
10 Amazing Beauty Uses for Banana Peels
Everyone knows that bananas are great for your health, but not many people know that the peel can be beneficial too and should be added to your beauty regime.
15 Reasons to Never Throw Away Used Corks Again!
There's no limit with what you can do with a simple collection of corks. Make your used corks useful again with these brilliant DIY ideas.
Here Are the Safety Precautions You Need to Take This Xmas
Christmas can be ruined by not paying enough attention to safety, but this guide will bring your attention to all the things you need to be aware of.
Why Your Consumer Brand Loyalty Can Backfire
It happens to all the consumer goods you can imagine...
21 Sizzling Hot Microwave Tips To Improve Your Life
The microwave is something we use every day, but did you know how many different ways you can use it? Here are 21 surprising uses.
9 Facts You Didn’t Know About In-Flight Food And Drinks
Airplane food is notorious, but since we don't have any other options, the following 9 tips will make the culinary experience that much more enjoyable.
What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?
These graphology tips will help you figure out what your handwriting says about you.
What Are the Healthiest Cooking Oils? Find Out Here!
With so many oils available in shops nowadays, it's tricky to know which one to buy. This article gives you 9 of the healthiest oils on the market today,
Be Warned that These Plants May Kill You
If you've got these plants around the house be careful as they are deadly!
I Just Found the Most Useful Material in the House!
Toothpaste has so many uses - it's truly amazing. Next time you encounter any of these problems, turn to this list to find out how toothpaste can help.
This is the Right Way to Load a Dishwasher For Best Results
What's the best way to load your dishwasher? Find out in this guide.
Eye Wrinkles Can Be Smoothed. Just Use These Methods...
Although they are often called "laugh lines," eye-wrinkles don't make us smile or laugh. With these 10 natural remedies, you can easily eliminate them.
Safe & Natural Recipes to Add Scent to Your Home
Forget those fake, unhealthy air fresheners and chemical-packed scented candles. Make your own natural scents and keep your home fresh.
10 Delicious Microwave Hacks That Will Make Cooking Easier
Your microwave has a few more tricks up its sleeve! 10 more tricks, to be more precise, that will unlock your microwave's hidden potential.
Discover the Most Spoken Languages in One Incredible Map!
This map is simply amazing, both informative and a work of art!
Cucumbers Are Incredibly Versatile: 7 Ways to Use Them
Cucumbers may be nutritious, but they are incredibly versatile too! Here's how you can use cucumbers outside of your salad.
8 Adorable Mini Indoor Plants to Liven Up Any Small Space
These low-maintenance houseplants aren’t just cute, they hardly take up any space!
I’ve Found a Natural Remedy for Those Red Bumps on the Skin
A natural remedy to erasing those red bumps that appear on your arms without visiting the dermatologist. You only need to ingredients, which are easily found at the grocery store.
These 20 Hacks Will Make Gardening So Much Easier!
This rapid-fire video gives you tips on not only how to manage and maintain your garden, but even make use of normally useless items!
12 New Things You Can Learn For Free From YouTube
Looking to learn something new? Learn some useful new skills with YouTube.
Here's How You Should be Washing Your Dark Clothes
When it comes to washing dark clothes, you've got to be careful. Here's how to wash your dark clothes without ruining them!
7 Fantastic Ways to Use Tea Bags in Your Garden
Before you dump your tea bags you should be aware that they can come in handy in the garden. Here are 7 great ways you can use tea bags in your garden.
8 Hypoallergenic Indoor Plants for Easy Breathing
We have discovered eight plant varieties that are recommended for growing and will keep allergies at bay!
Waking Up at Odd Hours? Here's What Your Body is Saying
This guide will help you understand how your body systems work and identify any mental challenges you may face.
9 Tips to Organize Your Kitchen for Weight-Loss Success
Looking to lose weight? Start by organizing your kitchen first.
5 Sitting Positions and What They Say About You
This guide will help you understand the meaning behind five common sitting positions that you may encounter in your daily life.
Incredibly Interesting Facts and Figures About the World
These facts and figures about the world are the most interesting you have ever read.
14 Incredible Egg Tricks For Egg Lovers
14 tricks and tips for cooking eggs!
How Many of These Fantastic Kitchen Tips Have You Tried?
There are some kitchen tricks that we should all make use of.
How to Polish 12 Old Items So They Look as Good as New
If you want to clean and restore the luster to objects, furniture, and items throughout your home, just follow these 12 simple tips...
DIY: Make Your Own Face Mask in a Few Easy Steps
To get around the shortage, you can make your own DIY surgical face mask. It can be easily done even if you're can't or don't want to sew.
How to De-Ice Your Freezer and 11 Other Practical Tips!
How to find something you lost, how to find pipes under your floor and more handy shortcuts everyone should know.