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To determine if you have a rat or mouse infestation, look for several key differences. The most obvious is the size of the rodent: rats are significantly larger with thicker bodies, while mice are much smaller and more slender. You can also identify them by their droppings; rat droppings are larger and rounder, about the size of a raisin, while mouse droppings are smaller, like a grain of rice, and often have pointed ends. Other signs include the sounds they make, as rats produce louder scratching and gnawing noises due to their size. Behaviorally, rats tend to be more cautious, whereas mice are more curious and might be seen more often. Additionally, rat nests are typically larger than those of mice. If you are unable to see the pest or find clear evidence, a professional inspection can provide a definitive identification.

Yes. German cockroaches are masters at hiding. If you notice one cockroach, especially in daytime hours, it’s very likely that other roaches aren’t far behind, or that the problem is growing. You don’t even need to see roaches to have warning bells go off: Many homeowners discover roach problems by noticing specks of droppings on the floor or roach smells.

It is very difficult to remove a colony entirely without using some kind of insecticide. However, some treatments are safer than others. Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic powder application that creates barriers that insects can’t pass through. Some pest control companies offer liquid nitrogen treatments to freeze out termites without using pesticides. Some chemical treatments are safer to use around plants, water, and wildlife than others. Bait stations are generally less damaging to the environment than sprayed termiticides.

Raccoons in a chimney sound like thumping, rustling, scratching, or scurrying. Because they can weigh as much as 20 pounds, they make noises that are noticeable and hard to miss. Plus, they have an average litter size of 3 to 7 kits, so you may hear what sounds like multiple animals thumping, rustling, scratching, or scurrying.