Rats are sneaky little creatures. They love people’s homes in Norway, especially in the winter. Houses offer easy food, warm spots, and cozy shelters that they can’t find anywhere else. Walls are one of their favorite hiding spots because it’s hard for us to inspect the narrow spaces.
If you hear a scurrying sound at night or droppings near the walls, you have rats in the walls. You will definitely know if your house shelters these guests. They leave a trail of evidence everywhere. From gnaw marks to urine stains, you will find so many signs of them. But the question is: can’t you just ignore them? The answer is a big “No!”
They can cause significant damage and lead to health risks if you don’t exterminate them early. In this post, we will explore some critical signs that help you understand that rats are living in your walls. We also show you how to eliminate the infestation quickly and effectively. Let’s get started!
Why Should You Care About Rats in Walls?
What’s the problem if you ignore rats in the walls? The rat issue won’t go away by itself. If you don’t deal with them as early as possible, they will make a colony in your home, spanning their nests in other areas like the basement, attic, yard, and kitchen. The result? Within a few weeks, you might see rats marching across your room in broad daylight. Some might burn your house down by chewing your electric wires. Here’s what rats do to your home.
- They spread diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella. Hantavirus in Norway is mainly tied to rats.
- Chewing on electric wires causes fire hazards.
- Their droppings and urine can trigger allergies or asthma.
- They damage your furniture, cardboard, clothes, and can destroy insulation.
- Rats multiply fast, so a few can turn into a full-blown infestation quickly.
How Do You Know If You Have Rats in the Wall?
Rats don’t ring your doorbell or greet you in the morning with cups of coffee. Often, you never know they are already in your walls for months. But if you pay attention, you will notice many signs that highlight their presence. If you don’t know what to look for, check these signs.
- Noise at Night
You may not notice rats in the day, but you will definitely hear them at night. Rats become active at night searching for food. They move around your entire house when it’s quiet. That means when you sleep, you will hear scratching, running, fighting, and squeaky noises. If you hear these types of sounds, that’s a red flag.
- Gnaw Marks
Rats’ teeth don’t stop growing. So, they must chew on anything to keep their teeth in shape. They also chew packages, containers, or pantry items to get food. If you have rats in your walls, you will notice gnaw marks in electrical wires, wooden frames, food containers, plumbing, and even in furniture.
- Droppings and Urine Stains
Droppings and musky odors are the clear signs of rats. You will notice small, random droppings that look like black pellets near your walls or food pantry. Also, you can smell the strong, musky odor, often described as ammonia-like, which is usually associated with rat urine or nesting.
- Damaged Insulation
Have you noticed damaged insulation, shredded paper, chewed cardboard, or food packaging inside walls? These materials, along with droppings and urine stains, indicate nesting spots.
- Missing Food or Sign of Nibbling on Pet Food
Is your food gone missing from the countertop or food pantry, but you think someone from your family might have eaten it? You are wrong. The culprit is rats in the walls. You might also notice nibbling marks on pet food, stored grain, or pantry items. If you see these signs, rats have already made a colony in your walls.
What to do with Rats in Walls?
You notice all the above evidence, now what? First, you can apply some effective home DIY methods. For instance, inspect behind the walls, yard, foundation, and garden. Look for signs of rats. If the signs are clear about their presence, clean these areas, set traps, and place natural deterrents. Also, find cracks and seal them properly with steel wool.
If nothing’s working and rats are still living in the walls, it’s time to call the pros. Top pest control companies like Skadedyrkontroll1 use advanced techniques and modern tools to exterminate rats in walls effectively.
Rats are sneaky. They can slip through holes or cracks as tiny as a pencil. Living in Norway means constantly dealing with rats, especially in winter. However, don’t let rats take over your walls and your peace of mind. Stay vigilant and inspect your walls regularly. If you see signs, take action immediately.
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