Finding rodent droppings can be unsettling, but identifying them quickly is crucial. The sooner you realize you have a rat problem, the faster you can take steps to control the infestation and prevent potential health risks.
Knowing what to look for is key to differentiating rat droppings from the waste of other animals.
This guide will provide a comprehensive look at what rat poop looks like, the potential health risks associated with it, and the preventative measures you can take to keep your home rodent-free. We’ll cover how to identify rats, characteristics of their droppings, health hazards, and, most importantly, how to prevent them from becoming unwanted houseguests.
Rats: More Than Just Pests
Rats are rodents, and they’re known to be adaptable and to reproduce quickly. A female rat can have three to six litters a year, with eight or more pups in each litter. Those pups can start reproducing when they’re only 3 months old.
Rats are intelligent and have complex social behaviors, which is why they’ve been used in so many scientific studies.
Types of Rats
Two types of rats are most often found near humans: Norway rats and roof rats.
Norway rats, also called brown rats, are larger and prefer to live on the ground. Roof rats, or black rats, are smaller and more agile, and they like to live up high.
Other, less common species of rats may occasionally cross your path, depending on where you live.
Identifying Rat Droppings: The Tell-Tale Signs
If you’re wondering whether you have rats, one of the first clues is often their droppings. Here’s what to look for.
Size and Shape
Rat droppings are often described as being a little bigger than grains of rice. Fresh droppings are generally moist and pliable, while older droppings will be hard and dry.
The exact size of the droppings can vary based on the species of rat and its diet.
Color and Consistency
Fresh rat poop is usually dark brown or black in color. As the droppings age, they fade to a lighter brown or gray.
The consistency of the droppings can give you clues about the rat’s diet and whether it’s getting enough water.
Location and Distribution
You’ll probably find rat droppings along walls, in cabinets, under sinks, and in areas where food is stored.
Rats tend to poop a lot, and they often go in the same locations, creating what are sometimes called “latrines.” So, you’re likely to see more than one or two droppings in a particular area.
Rat droppings vs. other animal droppings: avoiding misidentification
So, you’ve found some droppings. Are they from a rat? Or something else?
Mice vs. rats
Mouse droppings are smaller and more pointed than rat droppings. Also, mice tend to leave their droppings scattered randomly, while rats tend to leave piles in specific areas.
Also, mice are smaller than rats. An adult mouse is typically 2.5 to 3.7 inches long (not counting the tail). Rats are generally 5 inches long, or longer.
Other animals
It can be tricky to tell the difference between rat droppings and the droppings of other animals, such as squirrels, bats, and even some insects.
Bat droppings tend to accumulate near where they sleep. Squirrel droppings are larger and more cylindrical than rat droppings.
Owl pellets
Owl pellets aren’t droppings, but they can be mistaken for them. Owls regurgitate the parts of their prey they can’t digest, such as bones, fur, and feathers. Owl pellets don’t smell.
Health risks associated with rat droppings
One of the biggest concerns with rat droppings is that they can transmit diseases to humans and animals. It’s important to take precautions when you find rat poop.
Diseases spread by rat droppings
Rat droppings can spread diseases such as:
- Hantaviruses
- Leptospirosis
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM)
- Salmonellosis
These diseases can be transmitted through inhaling particles from rat droppings or through direct contact with surfaces that have been contaminated by rat waste.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a severe disease that can be contracted through exposure to rat droppings. HPS symptoms include fever, cough, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. HPS is a very dangerous infection that has a high mortality rate. For example, the Sin Nombre hantavirus has a mortality rate of around 50%.
Because of the seriousness of HPS, it’s important to take precautions when cleaning up rat droppings.
Other health concerns
Rat infestations can also cause other health problems, such as allergies and asthma.
How to safely clean up rat poop
Cleaning up rat droppings can be risky, so be sure to protect yourself. You’ll need rubber or plastic gloves and a dust mask.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open windows and doors to air out the space.
- Mix 1.5 cups of bleach in one gallon of water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the droppings with the bleach solution.
- Use paper towels to wipe up the droppings and put them in a container with a lid.
- Mop or sponge the area again with the bleach solution.
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
Dispose of the contaminated materials properly. Contact your local waste management authority for guidance.
Preventing rat infestations: A proactive approach
Once you know what rat poop looks like, you can spot it more easily and get rid of the rats before they do too much damage.
The best way to deal with rats is to avoid them altogether. Here are some ways to keep rats away from your property.
Eliminating food sources
Rats are looking for food, so you’ll need to make sure they can’t get to yours. Store pet food in airtight containers, and keep your garbage cans sealed tightly. Clean up any spilled food or crumbs right away.
Sealing entry points
Rats can squeeze through very small openings, so you’ll need to seal up any cracks or holes in your walls and foundation, as well as any gaps around pipes. Install door sweeps and screens on your doors and windows.
Eliminating harborage areas
Rats like to hide in piles of wood, debris, and overgrown vegetation, so you’ll need to remove these potential hiding spots. Keep your home and yard clean and free of clutter.
The Bottom Line
Knowing what rat poop looks like is an important step in spotting an infestation early. If you see rat droppings, don’t panic. First, take steps to clean it up safely. Then, take steps to prevent rats from settling in.
Rats can cause significant property damage and spread disease. Taking proactive measures to protect your home and your health is always a good idea. Pay attention to signs of rats, and keep up with maintenance to prevent future infestations.