Top 5 Signs of a Rat Infestation in Your Perth Home

Perth’s mild winters and plentiful green spaces make our city a haven not just for people, but for rats as well. While these rodents are experts at staying hidden, they always leave clues behind. Recognising the early warning signs can save you costly repairs, protect your family’s health, and help you act before a small problem spirals into an infestation. Below are the five most common indicators that rats have moved into your home—plus what you should do next.

1. Scratching and Scurrying Noises at Night

Rats are nocturnal, so you’ll rarely spot them during daylight hours. Instead, you may hear faint scratching, gnawing, or the rapid patter of feet inside walls, ceilings, or under floorboards when the house is quiet. These sounds often intensify just after sunset and before dawn when rats are most active.

2. Droppings in Hidden Corners

Rat droppings are small, dark, and spindle-shaped—about 10 mm long. Check behind kitchen appliances, inside pantry cupboards, and along skirting boards. Fresh droppings are soft and shiny; older ones turn dull and crumbly. Finding even a few is a strong sign the colony is nearby.

3. Gnaw Marks on Food Packaging and Cables

Rats must constantly wear down their ever-growing incisors, so they chew on almost anything. Look for bite marks on cereal boxes, pet-food bags, plastic containers, wooden skirting, or even electrical wiring. Damaged cables pose a serious fire risk, making quick action essential.

4. Grease Trails and Smudge Marks

As rats squeeze through tight gaps, the oils in their fur leave dark, greasy streaks on walls, beams, and flooring. These marks usually appear along established “rat highways”—the same paths they follow every night. Over time, these trails become more pronounced, signalling regular activity.

5. Nests Made of Shredded Materials

Rats build nests from insulation, paper, fabric, and plant matter. In homes, nests are often found in roof voids, under kitchen cabinets, or behind stored boxes in garages. A single nest means breeding could already be underway; rats can produce up to a dozen offspring every six weeks.

What to Do If You Spot These Signs

1. Confirm and Contain
   Seal food in airtight containers, repair leaking taps, and block obvious entry holes with steel wool or metal mesh.

2. Avoid DIY Over-Reliance
   Store-bought baits and traps may catch a few rats but rarely eliminate the source. Worse, misplaced poison can endanger pets and native wildlife.

3. Call the Professionals
   For comprehensive, safe, and lasting results, engage a licensed expert in rodent control Perth. Professionals have the training and equipment to locate nests, treat them effectively, and proof your home against re-entry.

Final Thoughts

Rats may be resourceful, but they’re not unstoppable. Early detection paired with swift professional intervention is the best defence against structural damage, contamination, and sleepless nights. If you’ve noticed any of these five warning signs, reach out to Rats Pest Control Perth for an inspection and tailored treatment plan—before your unwelcome guests settle in for good.