What does rat feces look like? Where is it found?

It is important to know exactly what a certain animal’s feces look like so as to identify the kind of animal that you are actually dealing with. Rat infestations are quite common today, and one of the ways in which you may know that there is an animal problem is through the fecal matter that they leave behind. Identifying rat poop will allow you to start making plans of extermination as soon as possible.

What rat feces look like

• Skinny pellets, usually about 3/8 inch long
• About 1/8 inch in diameter
• Rounded tips and maybe slightly bulging in the center
• Some size variance
• Fresh ones are dark brown, but they get lighter with age
• Looks very similar to a squirrel’s feces, only a little bit thinner and darker on average

What you should know

You may be able to identify the rat feces by simply looking at it. Usually, the feces come in the form of very small pellets. They are around 2/8 inches in their length while the diameter is about 1/8 of an inch. The tips are usually rounded, and they may be a bit bulging at the very center. There is a size variance that may be noticed from one rat to the next. The fresh fecal matter could appear to be dark brown in color, but it gets lighter as time passes by. Rat feces are very similar to those of a squirrel, but on average they are darker and thinner.

Where rat poop is found

The rat feces can be found anywhere within your home or property where rat populations thrive. You may find it within the attic or throughout the house, especially on the trails that the rats use, the compound and all other places where the rat may choose to feed or drink. Inspecting the feces can help you or an expert identify that you have rats in the home. You may also find rat feces in the yard, the ceiling and even in the crawl spaces.

Health risks

Rat feces cause a lot of health concerns, and you should avoid inhaling the dry form of the feces or even handling them with your bare hands. There are well over 30 diseases that are closely associated with the droppings of rats as well as the rats themselves.

Go back to the How to Get Rid of Rats page or email us if you have any other questions about What does rat feces look like? Where is it found?