It’s important to know how to spot the difference between signs of a single rat vs. an infestation. A single rat can be discouraged from returning simply by tidying up some and sealing up any exterior holes or gaps in your building. With no access to food, water, or shelter, one lone rat will quickly move on to more inviting territory. An infestation of rats is a lot harder to remove and can cause a lot more damage to your building. So what are the main differences that could give you some indication of whether or not you are dealing with a single rat or an entire infestation?

Signs of a Single Rat

If you spotted a rat on your property you may now be wondering how to know if there are more. There are a few indicators that can give you clues as to how many rats you are dealing with.

-Sightings. Single rats will usually be seen nervously scurrying around a property, usually during the night. Single rats tend to be more shy when they are alone and getting a sighting will be rare.

-Droppings. If you find just a small number of droppings that are primarily in just a few specific areas, you are likely only dealing with a single rat.

-Gnaw Marks. If you notice gnaw marks which amount to just a slight amount of damage you may be dealing with just a single rat. This is especially true when the chew marks are near food sources, suggesting a single rat looking for food rather than a colony making a home for themselves.

Signs of a Rat Infestation

If you suspect your problem may be more extensive than just a single rat wandering around looking for food you will need to take action quickly. Knowing what signs to look for is important so that you can handle the issues promptly.

-Sightings. Infestations of rats come with multiple sightings fairly regularly. These sightings may more often occur during daylight hours and since rats in groups are more bold, rats in infestations may not display fearful behavior in the presence of humans.

-Droppings. The difference in the amount of droppings is a pretty good indicator of the number of rats you are dealing with. These droppings will be all over the place, rather than just near food sources or wall edges as with single rats.

-Gnaw Marks. Infestations of rats will chew a lot, and not just the occasional plastic bag or table leg. Infestations of rats are here to make your building their home and so they will chew and gnaw to create passages through your house that suit them better.

-Nests. One big difference between single rats and infestations is the   presence of nests   and/or rat pups. If the rats are making nests and having babies it is sure they have decided to take up residence and will cause a lot of trouble while at it.

If you suspect you have a rat infestation, get professional help right away.   Commercial pest control companies in Aspen   can help clear out a rat infestation and help ensure that these rodents don’t have a reason to return.