What do mice droppings look like?

Before you can control a rodent problem, you have to know it exists. Learning all the signs of a rodent infestation can help you catch an issue before it becomes serious, and take the proper extermination measures. 

Read more: 6 Ways to Prevent Common House Pests This Fall

One of the clearest signs of rodent activity in the home is mice droppings. So… what do mice droppings look like?

Signs of Rodent Activity

Conducting a thorough visual inspection of your home is often necessary to find signs of rodent activity. Grab a flashlight and take it around your home, examining any dark, quiet nooks and corners, as well as anywhere you store food. Spaces where rodents often gather include garages, basements, kitchens, closets, crawl spaces, attics — anywhere that provides shelter for them to hide. 

When inspecting these areas of your home, keep an eye out for these common signs of rodent activity:

• Urine odors or streaks along baseboards
• Holes in walls or floors that seem chewed or gnawed
• Nests or shredded materials
• Rodent droppings
• Scampering or scuffling noises
• Unusual behavior from your pets

How to Identify Mice Droppings

Rodent droppings in general are a clear sign that you have some type of mouse or rat activity. The number of droppings you find can tell you what type of rodent is present as well as the size of your infestation, and location can indicate where the nest may be within your home. 

The rodent homeowners most often deal with is the house mouse, whose droppings appear to be small (less than ¼ inch in length) and pointed at both ends, similar to short grain rice. Larger droppings, however, could indicate another type of rodent infestation. Rat droppings tend to be similar in shape but significantly larger in size, at ½ inch or more in length. A difference in the size of rodent feces could also indicate the presence of both adults and offspring present. 

You can also tell when the droppings were left based on their appearance. New droppings will appear shiny, while older droppings will harden and crumble. In addition to the appearance of the droppings, it’s important to note the number of droppings, as a greater volume could indicate a larger infestation. 

CroppMetcalfe’s Solutions for Rodent Control

DIY solutions like traps and poisons aren’t usually sufficient when dealing with an infestation, and they can’t stop rodents from continuing to enter your home. CroppMetcalfe’s rodent removal services can not only help clear up your mice infestation, but they can also help protect your home from future invaders. Contact us online to request rodent control services today!