Signs of Rats in Walls
Sounds of gnawing, scuttling, clawing, small squeaking, or fighting, especially at night, are good indications of rat activity in walls. These rodents are capable of squeezing through holes or cracks as small as half an inch in diameter, and they may leave easily detected signs of their presence outside these holes. Such signs can include droppings or urine stains near baseboards, tracks along dusty or dirty corners of floors, freshly accumulated wood shavings or bits of insulation, and even smudge marks on walls from oily rat fur.
What Damage Can Rats Do in Walls?
If rats find their way inside a wall, they can cause considerable damage. Their teeth grow rapidly, which causes the rodents to continually chew on things to keep their teeth at reasonable lengths. When rats chew up insulation or use it as nesting material, it can become contaminated with urine and dropping leading to a potentially serious health hazard. Rats also have a tendency to chew through electrical wires, utility cables, and pipes. Damage such as power outages, water leaks, and even electrical fires can all stem from having rats in the walls. Humans and pets are also placed at higher risk of illness when rats are present, as they carry numerous transmissible diseases such as E. Coli and Salmonella.