Wondering if that scratching sound in your attic is your imagination—or could it be an unwanted critter? Want to know if the small dark objects on your kitchen counter are just seeds from your multigrain bread, or could they be animal droppings?

Before homeowners call us to help with a critter problem, they typically face some mild to medium warning signs that something is amiss. If they ignore those signs, any infestation is likely to become worse.

But what are those first signs of a pest problem?

Sounds—at night, when the house is quiet, do you hear sounds you can’t attribute to your regular inhabitants? The patter of footsteps in the attic could signal a raccoon. Scratching noises from that same area could mean bats or squirrels. A rustling sound in the walls could mean mice. A skittering sound as you enter the garage could also mean a mouse or rat diving for cover. Sometimes, these sounds are so faint or sporadic it’s hard to tell if they’re real. But if you (or other members of your household) hear them periodically, it’s worth investigating.

Sights—do you see evidence of an animal nesting in your house? It could be nests built in the attic or in a quiet corner of the basement. It could be a few droppings in a kitchen drawer or in a linen closet, or indentations that look like tooth marks on a box of cookies. (If you’re unsure of the source of the “droppings,” clean and disinfect the area well, and place your food, i.e. bread, cereal, inside plastic containers with secured lids. Move them to another part of the kitchen. Check back each day to see if any additional droppings have accumulated.)

Also, look for obvious ways that an animal could enter your house, such as gaps in the foundation or holes in the roof.

Animals like mice and rats leave a dark, greasy trail from their coats as they squeeze through holes, so look for these telltale signs.

Smells—many animals such as mice and rats emanate a musty smell. Their urine and accumulated droppings also contribute to a noticeable smell. If you notice an unusual smell, especially one that is present in a closet or usually closed off room, take a closer look.

Although no one wants critters in the house, the senses often provide the first alert signs. The key is to trust those senses and investigate, not ignore, potential problems. Not addressing these problems can lead to a more widespread infestation as well as an increased chance of damage to your home.

Concerned about potential critters in your home? Give the wildlife experts of Critter Control of the Triangle a call at 1-800-CRITTER or 919-382-0651 in Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Cary NC and the Triangle area.