Mice and rats multiply quickly and are notoriously difficult to eliminate. They slip inside and make themselves at home, often undetected until it's too late. They don't need much space to find their way in, and they don't need much time to reproduce in alarming numbers. Because rodents can damage property and pose health risks to people and pets, it's important to recognize the first signs of a problem before it becomes a full-blown infestation.

While rodents may be sneaky, they leave plenty of evidence in their wake. Here's what to watch for in your Weston, MA home (and while you're at it, download a free copy of our winter pest guide here).

• Droppings. One of the most noticeable signs of a rodent infestation, and a problematic one. Contact with rodent droppings or items contaminated with rodent waste is one of the main ways diseases are spread. Droppings left unnoticed destroy insulation, compromising the air you breathe.
• Gnaw marks. Rodent teeth never stop growing, so mice and rats never stop chewing. Chew marks on anything from baseboards and door frames to food packaging, furniture, electrical wires, and plumbing are a strong sign of a problem.
• Tracks/rubbing. The oils in rodent fur transfer to surfaces the animal comes in contact with. Greasy-looking marks or footprints can clue you in to areas that mice or rats are frequenting.
• Nests. Rodents prefer hidden spots like drawers, wall voids, underneath appliances, and forgotten corners of garages or attics. Nests will be made of various scavenged materials such as paper, fabric, string, and insulation.
• Noises. You may hear scratching, chewing, skittering, or thumping in attics or ceilings, or inside walls. These sounds may become especially loud at night.
• Live sighting. Here's the most obvious sign. If you see a mouse scamper across the floor, chances are there are more where that one came from.

It's extremely important to know the signs of a rodent infestation, and even more important to have a professional on your side at the first clue. The rodent control experts at Burgess Pest come armed with nearly a century of experience and the latest technology to Protect Your Pad from mice and rats.