Rats
How To Identify A Rat Infestation
How To Identify A Rat InfestationAppearance - Rats have red eyes, black or white fur, and shrieks. They are typically 6-10 inches long (depending on the type) with a hairless tail. Brown rats are slightly larger than roof rats. They a thicker body, smaller eyes, and a shorter snout than their black rat cousins.
Behavior - Rats tend to be bigger than mice or other rodents that may be scurrying around your home. They are nocturnal. Rats can fit into holes that are ½ inch or even smaller. Having any open holes or gaps in your home may be a way that rats are getting in. Rat droppings are pellet-like in appearance. They are dark colored and about ¾ inch long.
Why You Might Have Rats
Holes in your foundation or walls that lead from a basement or outside are an entrance for rats. Being able to fit in ½ inch or less spaces gives rats an advantage entering your home. Even if you have tried to fill in obvious holes and gaps in your foundation rats may get in.
Having rats does not mean you live in unhealthy conditions. Having food sources accessible could entice a rat to enter and begin living in your home. Professional rat control is recommended before one rat turns into a full blown rat infestation.
Reasons To Treat Your Rat Problem Immediately
Rats tend to scrounge through garbage for food. This causes them to be carriers of many different bacteria and diseases. They are also known for being traditional carriers of fleas and ticks due to the conditions they live in. Flea bites from rats can cause extreme allergic reactions and ticks can carry Lyme disease.
Beyond topical threats, the bacteria carried on rats can cause leptospirosis, which can affect the liver and kidneys, and salmonellosis, which produces cramping and diarrhea.
These threats and the rat droppings they will leave behind could cause you and your family to become very sick if a rat infestation is left untreated.
Call us today for rat control, so you and your family can rest assured your home will be safe.