When you purchase a home that has not been lived in for a while, there are chances that pests may have moved into the house while it was vacant. Even though you may not physically see the pests, it does not mean that they are not there. The following guide walks you through a few signs that you may have unwelcome guests lurking in your home without your permission.

Look for Pest Droppings

The first thing you need to do is you need to pay close attention to the floors in your home. Look near the edges of the room where the floor and the wall meet. Look for small black dots that resemble sprinkles that you may find on a cake or ice cream. The dots will not be shiny like sprinkles though. These are more than likely mouse droppings and should not be touched with your bare hands.

Listen for Scratching and Squeaking

Mice and rats are not overly quiet creatures. They often scratch when they are creating their nests and the scratching can sometimes be heard through the walls if you pay close attention. Mice also squeak when they communicate with one another. If you hear squeaking, there is a very good chance that you have a rodent problem in the house.

Listen for Movement in Hidden Areas

Rodents scurry quickly when they move from one place to another. Listen closely to see if you hear any scurrying in the walls or in the attic of your home. Rodents often travel alone, so you more than likely will not hear a lot of scurrying at one time.

Look for Signs of Chewing or Shredding

When rodents make nests, they often use items that they found where they live. Look for chewed up boxes, shredded papers, or holes in furniture to see if you possibly have rodents in the home. Save any items you find to show to an exterminator so that he or she can help determine if you have a rodent infestation.

If you believe that you may have mice or rats in your home, it is important to contact a pest control company right away. You want to have the pests discovered as soon as possible so that they can be removed quickly and do not take over your home. Most companies can take care of the problem within a day or two so that you can live comfortably in your home.