If you suspect a rat problem, look for these clear warning signs. Catching these early is key to stopping rats from causing property damage or health risks.

How to Identify Rat Droppings

Rat droppings are 12–20mm long (the size of a raisin) with blunt ends — significantly larger than mouse droppings (3–6mm, rice-sized, pointed). This size difference is the fastest way to determine which pest you have. Fresh droppings are moist and dark; old ones are dry and crumbly.

Rat Burrows: A Sign You Won't Mistake

Rats — particularly Norway rats, the most common species in NH — dig burrows in the ground. Look for: 2–3 inch diameter holes along foundations, under garden sheds, in compost heaps, or alongside exterior walls. Burrows with smoothed edges and visible soil excavation indicate an active colony. Mice do not burrow — this sign is rat-specific.

Other Key Signs

• Gnaw marks: Larger and rougher than mouse damage — rats chew through wiring, pipes, wood, and even soft metals
• Sounds: Scratching, scurrying, or squeaking from walls, ceilings, or under floors — primarily at night
• Grease marks: Dark, oily smudges at body height along walls and baseboards where rats travel regular routes
• Nests: Shredded paper, fabric, insulation, or plant matter in warm hidden spaces — behind appliances, inside wall cavities, in attics
• Urine odor: Strong musky smell in poorly ventilated areas with large infestations
• Pet behavior: Dogs and cats becoming alert, scratching at walls, or pawing under appliances

What to Check

• Kitchen and pantry: behind/under appliances, inside drawers, corner areas
• Attics, basements, crawl spaces: nests, droppings, gnaw marks on insulation and wiring
• Garage and storage areas: chewed boxes and nesting material in cluttered spots
• Exterior foundations: holes or gaps larger than half an inch, especially near pipe entry points

Which Rats Are Most Common in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, brown Norway rats are the dominant species. They are ground dwellers, typically found in basements, crawl spaces, and burrows — unlike roof rats (not common in NH) which nest in high locations like attics.

If you're seeing multiple signs simultaneously, contact Anchor Pest Services at (603) 785-0118 — multiple active signs usually indicate an established colony, not a lone rat.

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