Stains- The tell tale sign of infestation- Chelan and Douglas County Home Inspection services.

When performing a home inspection I am on the lookout for obvious entry point for rodents and other critters.

Squirrels, rats, mice, bats and raccoons can have a health impact as well as destroying insulation and wiring.

Here we have an obvious entry point for a rat. Rats will leave oil stains on their trails and entrance holes. They only need an opening larger than ½-inch in diameter to gain access. This means spaces around pipes or conduits, under the door (especially garage doors that are left open, or do not seal properly), through a hole in the screen or floor, or through a gap between a window and its frame are all potential entry areas.


                    Rat oil stains at entry point

Rats will make holes in walls or floors soon after invasion. Rat holes are usually circular, averaging 2-3 inches in diameter, and are usually just inches off the floor.

Rats (and their cousin the squirrel) have a distinctive musky odor they will leave behind, particularly if it is in a confined to a small space.

Remember the best way to control rodents is to keep them out of the home in the first place. All rodents like to hide in vegetation. One of your first lines of defense is to trim the vegetation close to your home.

Rat Management

“Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.”

Will Durant


NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service


www.ncwhomeinspections.com

509-670-9572


 
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22 Comments on Stains- The tell tale sign of infestation

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
07
475,332 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Donald,

You should have had a "TAIL" hanging out of the hole. LOL

That would have been a great sot. But then where do you find a rat tail just laying around right. :-)

Have a great day and good find.

Best, Clint McKie
6:56am • #3
292,016 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Edward, You will see the stains on pipes that they use for runs also.

Robert, With squirrels they will bring their food with them. They always leave a nice shredded pine cone mess.

Clint, That would of been good. Maybe I should put Nutsy in there ;)
7:03am • #4
389,017 Points Outside Blog

Rats, Mice, Squirrels, birds, Snakes, and all the other critters that make home ownership such a pleasure.
7:04am • #5
292,016 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Winston, So much fun ; ) Part of the environment.
7:09am • #6
972,707 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

We had mice a few years ago, which I did not notice until they caused a water jug to leak on a basement shelf.  The pest guy we called pointed to the hole around where my AC line enters the house as the culprit entry point.  He said, "Don't you ever look at your own house?"

"Um ... no ..."  True story!
7:52am • #7

I usually smell them before I find them Good post
12:53pm • #8
915,744 Points 177 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Don, it would appear we both have rats on our brain today :)
2:12pm • #9
624,369 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Donald, I agree with one of the earlier comments I never would know that they leave stains. 
3:37pm • #10
292,016 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay, What a home inspector inspect their own home... heck no ; )

Wayne, they can have a smell.

Charlie, I will have to see your blog.

Adrian, They leave a trail where they go.
5:17pm • #11
429,805 Points 1 Featured Post

Wow. I am so glad that you did the post. We have had a problem with Raccoons in our condo at the beach. It is a real problem along the coast. Tell tell signs here is the insulation being pulled out from under the buildings..
6:54pm • #12
547,229 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Donald:

I try to advice my clients that they should keep vegetation away from their outside walls.  Who wants rats in their basement or attic?
8:08pm • #13
871,221 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

And that's why we always have cats! Never a problem with critters like that even coming close to our house!

Sharon
9:11pm • #14
465,775 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

That is gross. We had a possum once get in our garage and was trying to hide in an opened fertilizer bag. Actually possums are scary up close. Rats are just plain disgusting.
11:46pm • #15
OCT
08
1,449,270 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thank you for the information. I am scared of rodents and will start looking for signs when I show homes.
3:54am • #16
551,293 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Donald, there is nothing worse than having cool weather guests in the house that were not invited.  My wife makes sure I know how unpleasant she thinks it is.  Thanks for the tips. 
4:46am • #17
728,527 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Donald, I didn't know they left oil stains. Thanks for telling us what to look for.
5:21am • #18
292,016 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Ginger, A neighbor of one of my best friend had raccoons actually eat through his roof (Wood shake). Not good in the Seattle area. First storm comes and it is raining in his house.

Evelyn, That is good advice. 

Frank and Sharon, I have a great mouser also. But they still try, just is a bad ending for them.
6:19am • #19
292,016 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pamela, Possums and pack rats can be a big issue also.

Gita, You are welcome

Mike, This is the time they really want to come in.

Michael, They leave many signs ; )
6:22am • #20
299,146 Points 21 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Last Fall I had a mouse living in MY STOVE!!  Saw him once in a while during this past winter.  My roomate put out traps all over the kitchen (while I was gone during Xmas) and no luck.  Haven't seen him lately.  Any suggestions other than traps?  I have an 18 year old cat that used to be a great mouser, but I think shes too old now.
7:56am • #21
292,016 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Debbie, One of my favorite traps is a five gallon bucket. Make a ramp or place by an area they climb and can get in.  Place some peanut butter on a cracker in the bottom. They will come ;)
9:12am • #22

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