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Rodent Awareness Week: Six Signs of Rodent Activity Food Facilities Should Recognize
During Rodent Awareness Week, recognized October 18–24, 2026, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is urging commercial businesses to watch for early signs of rodent activity and take preventive steps before an infestation develops.
Commercial facilities provide rodents with easy access to food, water, and shelter, and even the smallest openings can welcome them inside. Mice can squeeze through gaps the size of a dime, while rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter.
NPMA explained that pest prevention goes beyond keeping a facility clean—regular inspections and an integrated pest management (IPM) approach are crucial to keeping rodents at bay.
The stakes of a single pest sighting are high. According to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA, 91 percent of managers at organizations with more than 50 employees in the foodservice/food processing, healthcare, and lodging/hospitality industries, who have responsibility for selecting outsourced pest management services for their organization, strongly or somewhat agree that one pest sighting can permanently damage customer trust.
NPMA explained six signs of rodent activity that facility managers and employees should watch for:
- Droppings: Rodent droppings may appear near stored food, inside cabinets, under sinks, or along baseboards. These less-visible areas should be included in routine inspections.
- Gnaw marks: Chewed packaging and damage to building materials can indicate rodent activity. Rodents can also gnaw on wiring, creating a potential fire hazard.
- Nests: Shredded paper, fabric, insulation or packing materials gathered in dark, secluded spaces may indicate a rodent nesting area.
- Tracks or rub marks: Rats can leave dark grease or dirt marks along walls and floorboards as they travel between shelter and food sources.
- Unusual noises: Scratching or scurrying sounds inside walls, ceilings or overhead storage areas may signal rodent activity.
- Rodent sightings: Seeing a mouse or rat inside the facility warrants prompt attention. A single sighting should not be dismissed as an isolated incident.
Facility managers can also help prevent rodent infestations by working with a qualified pest control professional to develop an IPM plan that combines proper sanitation, sealed entry points, employee training, and routine inspections. Year-round maintenance can help businesses identify potential problems early and address them before they escalate.
NPMA offers additional pest prevention resources at pestworld.org.
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