Rat infestation - Have or believe you have a rat infestation? It is not because you have seen or heard a rat that you have a rat infestation. Here you must not panic and call the first exterminator just to be told you have a rat infestation. But as true as that may seem, it is accurate to say, it is not because you have never seen or heard one or more rats that you do not have them.

The first step in getting rid of rats and mice is to inspect the house to determine the type and number of rodents present. Therefore, before undertaking anything to solve an infestation problem, you must inspect the inside of the house to detect signs of rodent presence. A thorough inspection is essential.

Rodent droppings definitively confirm the presence of rats or mice. However, examining the droppings will tell you a lot about the rodents present and their habits.

The rodent species Mouse droppings are smooth, have pointed ends, and are about 0.5 cm (0.25 in) long. Rat droppings are shiny and black, have blunt ends, and average 2 cm (0.75 in) in length. Roof rat droppings are black, have pointed ends, and average 1 cm (0.5 in) in length.

The age of the excrement the fresh droppings are shiny and pasty in texture; the old droppings are hard and crumbly.

The extent of the infestationn: Feces of varying sizes indicate the presence of juveniles and adults. A large number of feces indicate a significant infestation.

Rats carry pathogens and other bacteria with them that can cause serious health problems for humans who unsuspectingly eat, drink, or use food products that are already contaminated by their urine and feces, and even our small household pets are at risk.

Urine detection Acetamide, a chemical found in rodent urine, has a strong musky odor that is easy to detect in cases of heavy infestation. One tool that can help detect rodent urine on incoming goods and locate runways and entry points during an inspection is the use of a black light (ultraviolet). However, as with any detection tool, there are limitations and this requires an understanding of how to correctly interpret the information from what you observe.

Contamination detection Rodents under black light is based on the phenomenon of rodent urine exhibiting white-blue to white-yellow fluorescence when viewed under black light. The fresher the stain, the more fluorescent blue it becomes. Urine stains on food bags, containers, floors, etc., which are invisible under white light, retain their fluorescence and are easily discernible under black light. Additionally, rodents urinate when they are on the move, and their paths are visible under black light in characteristic «droplets» or trails. Rodent hairs exhibit a white-blue fluorescence. Rodents have oily hair that is UV reactive, leaving smudge marks wherever they travel.