As the temperatures are droppings, more and more pests, rodents and wildlife will begin to look for a home for the winter months. Now is the time of year to begin hearing noises or possibly finding droppings in your home. How can you tell the animal from the droppings? Below are some clues and descriptions depending upon your findings. Droppings are usually the first sign of a problem.

BAT (GUANO) DROPPING DESCRIPTION: Bat droppings are powdery when crushed and are extremely easy to crush. Bat droppings will be long and segmented. They are not round or oval and do not harden like droppings from other pests such as rats.

MOUSE DROPPING DESCRIPTION: Skinny pellets, usually about 3/16 inch long and 1/16 inch in diameter, with pointed tips and maybe slightly bulging in the center. Mouse droppings resemble small brown grains of rice. Fresh ones are dark brown, but they get lighter with age.

OPOSSUM DROPPING DESCRIPTION: Fairly large, resembling dog poop. Averages 3/4 inch in diameter. The sides are usually smooth, and the ends are usually tapered, while more curly than straight.Sometimes mold grows on the feces.

RACCOON DROPPING DESCRIPTION: Fairly large, averaging 3/4 inch in diameter. The sides are usually textured, and the tips are often rounded or broken off. Raccoon feces commonly have berries.

RAT DROPPING DESCRIPTION: Skinny pellets, usually about 3/8 inch long and 1/8 inch in diameter, rounded tips and maybe slightly bulging in the center. Fresh droppings are dark brown, but they get lighter with age.

SKUNK DROPPING DESCRIPTION: Droppings are 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter and 1 to 2 inches long with blunt ends. Skunk droppings look similar to cat droppings but may contain undigested insect parts, berry seeds, fur, or feathers.

SQUIRREL DROPPING DESCRIPTION: Oblong pellets, usually about 3/8 inch long and 1/8 inch in diameter, rounded tips and slightly bulging in the center. Fresh ones are dark brown, but they get lighter with age. Looks very similar to rat, only a little bit fatter, and a little more likely to grow lighter with time.

WOODCHUCK DROPPING DESCRIPTION: Woodchucks defecate in holes they dig underground. If you find droppings on your property they are from another animal than woodchucks.

At the first signs of droppings, contact a professional. Our trained pest professional will:

• Inspect and evaluate the situation.
• Trap and remove the rodent or wildlife animal.
• Cleanup the droppings using a heppa filter vacuum then sanitize the area.
• Repair the damage caused by wildlife.
• Install TAP Insulation to replace the contaminated insulation if needed.
• Prevent the entry of wildlife or rodents with pest proofing.

When dealing with wildlife or rodent droppings, it is a dirty, germy and hazard task. Droppings can carry disease and during cleanup is when the bacteria can be stirred into the air causing a health hazard. It is best to leave wildlife removal, bat removal and rodent removal to a pest professional. These mammals can have rabies, carry and transmit several diseases. On top of it, if feel threatened they can bite putting yourself, family at risk. If you are hearing noises, finding droppings or suspicious someone is sharing your home with you, contact Thomas Pest Services. Servicing East Greenbush, Albany, Renesselear, Latham, Clifton Park and beyond to safety help you remove wildlife and get rid of rodents in your home.