Good rodent control begins with good inspections, and should always be conducted before
an actual control program is initiated.  This inspection will enable the pest control profess-
ional to implement a program which is appropriate for the account.  It will also eliminate
or reduce callbacks, and thus reduce time wasted on rodent control materials which are
unnecessary.

There are ten rodent signs which signal the presence of rodents and which type rodents
are present.
  1.  Droppings
  2.  Tracks
  3.  Gnawing damage
  4.  Burrows
  5.  Runways
  6.  Grease marks
  7.  Urine stains
  8.  Live or dead rodents
  9.  Rodent noises
10.  Rodent odors

Droppings are the most commonly encountered signs of rodent infestation.  While active, the
rodents are regularly defecating, and in the case of the house mouse, 50 to 100 droppings per
day is the average.

Mouse droppings measure between 1/8 and 1/4 inch, with one or both ends pointed.  The
droppings of the Norway rat measure 1/2 to 1 inch in length and usually have blunt ends, with
the color of rodent droppings being shiny and black.

Rodent tracks are easily seen where there is dust or wet soil and can often be tracked back to
either the nest itself or the general vicinity of that nest.

Commensal rodents have 5 toes on their hind feet and 4 on the front with the measurement
of a rats being 3/4 to 1 inch for the hind foot as compared to 3/8 inch for the house mouse.
Rats also leave tail " drag marks" which appear between their foot tracks.  Talcum powder
can be used to verify rodent presence and the travel patterns of these rodents, as well as
sometimes leading directly back to the nest.( unscented talc is best for this procedure)

Gnawing damage to various items in buildings is a good sign that some type of rodent is
present.  Rodents love to gnaw on things and have incisors which are especially useful
for this annoying trait.

These teeth grow throughout the life of the rodent and are kept from growing too long by
the constant grinding together of the top and bottom teeth.  Mice frequently gnaw small,
clean cut holes about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.  This damage is evident in kitchens as food
boxes and other paper items are left in shreds.  Holes that are gnawed by rats will measure
2 or more inches in diameter, and will often contain rough, uneven edges.  Wood is also
a favorite target of rodents.

Burrows may be found next to walls. along foundations or beneath shrubbery or piles of
trash and other debris.  If there is a doubt as to what type rodent is present, a quick look
at the burrows will usually tell a lot.   Rat burrows are smaller than the gopher or mole
tunnels and soil is not kicked out in a circular soil ring or pushed to one side like a pocket
gopher will do.  Roof rats rarely construct burrows.

Runways are usually evident in rodent infestations, since rodents are creatures of habit
and once they have a comfortable run between their nest and food and water established,
they will all invariably use that path to cross back and forth.  A path is easily spotted by
observing the absence of dust or dirt on the floor.  Outside runways are also easy to spot,
since these paths are smooth, well packed, and free of vegetation.

Grease marks caused by oil secretions from the rodents often appear along wall areas next
to runways, and may occur around bottoms of joists where rodents have been traveling
along beams or sill plates.

Urine stains left by rodents may occur on their runways and other areas which are freq-
uented by these pests.  Rodent urine will show up as a blue-white color under ultra-violet
light , thus, food personnel often utilize a black light to test for rodent presence.  These
lights should be used by trained personnel, since other substances will also show up under
this type light.

Rodent sightings are, needless to say, a sure sign of rodent activity [:^)!  An inspection
during the rodents high activity period,( at dusk or just after it gets dark) will often
provide information as to the severity of the infestation, as well as the activity areas of
these rodents.

The various high pitched squeaks, gnawing sounds, scratching and digging sounds and
sounds of rodents fighting can be heard if the person making the inspection will carefully
listen and conduct the inspection in stealth mode.

Rodent odors are often detectable in areas of high concentrations of rodents activity and
in the case of mice, these odors which are caused by the urine, feces, and various body
glands of these creatures, will remain for some time; even after the infestation has been
removed.