Sometimes a home inspector finds clues without being able to absolutely, for certain, state that a problem currently exists. The photo below is an example.  While I did not see rodent droppings in this crawl space, this big rat trap was conspicuously placed on a heat duct. The question was: Is the owner of the home paranoid, or had rodents been present from time to time and the owner was trying to eradicate them. In my view, it is usually better to be safe than sorry. I stated in the report that I did not see rodent droppings but that a rat trap was in place, and set, under the home so there might have been rodent activity in the past. In retrospect I am glad that I said that because, in later discussions, it became apparent that the home did have a history of unwanted visitors with long tails.

Thanks for looking.

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

www.kingofthehouse.com