Most rodent problems are noticed long after they start. In Gresham’s cool, wet winters, rats and mice push indoors and settle into walls, attics, and crawlspaces — usually leaving clues before anyone spots the animal itself. Here are the seven signs we check first on every inspection.
1. Droppings along walls and in cabinets
Fresh droppings are the clearest sign. Rat droppings are larger (roughly the size of a raisin); mouse droppings are smaller, like grains of rice. You’ll find them along baseboards, in cabinets, and near food.
2. Gnaw marks on wood and wiring
Rodents chew constantly to keep their teeth in check. Gnawed food packaging, chewed wood, and — most dangerously — stripped electrical wiring are all signs of an active infestation.
3. Scratching in walls or the attic at night
Rodents are most active after dark. Scratching, scurrying, or gnawing sounds in the walls or overhead — especially in the evening — usually mean roof rats or mice are nesting inside.
4. Greasy rub marks along runways
Rats follow the same paths and leave greasy, dark smudges where their bodies brush walls, pipes, and beams. These rub marks map their travel routes through your home.
5. Nests in insulation or behind appliances
Shredded paper, fabric, and insulation tucked behind appliances or in the attic is a nest. Finding one usually means the population is established, not just passing through.
- A musky, ammonia-like odor in enclosed spaces
- Pets fixating on a wall or appliance
- Disturbed insulation or food containers
What to do if you spot the signs
Don’t sweep up droppings dry or scatter store-bought bait — both can make things worse. Book a professional inspection. We identify how they’re getting in, remove the active rodents, and seal the entry points so they can’t come back. Call (619) 658-9179.
