Rats are some of the worst and most destructive pests many homeowners face. If these clever rodents are able to sneak into your home, they can cause a lot of expensive and dangerous damage. If you think you see or hear a rat in your home, you should get the help of a professional pest control specialist as soon as possible. At Miche Pest Control, we know how to protect your family by keeping these dangerous rodents out of your home.
How To Identify A Rat
Many people confuse rats with mice. While these two types of rodents do have similar characteristics, if you were to make a side-by-side comparison, you would quickly see the difference between these two animals, with the biggest difference being their size. On average, a mouse's body is between two and five inches long. In comparison, a rat's body will usually measure around seven to nine inches long.
There are two types of rats that are commonly found in the United States: the roof rat and the Norway rat. These rats can have black or brown fur and typically have long, scaly tails. Roof rats will use their long tail to help them balance on narrow and tall surfaces and commonly enter homes through the roof or eves. Norway rats are more likely to burrow on the ground level or basements of homes.
Rats Can Damage Property And Spread Dangerous Diseases
Rats are extremely destructive. They will chew on anything that they can get close to. They will use their sharp claws and long teeth to chew on your clothes, furniture, walls, books, and other objects that are not made of metal or glass. They will commonly use the space between your home's walls to travel throughout your home without being detected. While there, they will chew on your insulation or electrical wiring, which has the potential to be a fire hazard.
Rats can also carry and spread a wide range of deadly diseases and viruses, such as salmonellosis, leptospirosis, trichinosis, and rat-bite fever. They can spread these diseases through direct contact, but the most common way people become ill is by coming into contact with rat droppings. Rats have also been known to bring fleas and ticks into homes, which could mean you will have two or three pest infestations to deal with at one time.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of A Rat Infestation
It can be extremely challenging to get rid of a rat infestation on your own. The best way to eradicate all of the rats from your home is to call a professional rat control specialist. An experienced pest control technician will be able to inspect and assess the situation. We can then come up with a customized plan that will focus on eliminating the rats from your home and preventing them from returning.
Easy Rodent Exclusion Tips To Prevent Future Rat Infestations
Once you are able to get the rats out of your home, you can make sure that they don't come back by taking the following steps:
Seal any gaps or cracks you find around your home, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. Some rats can fit into holes that are only about the size of a quarter.
Make sure to keep all food in metal or glass containers that have tight-fitting lids. Don't forget to keep your pet's food properly stored as well.
Keep your yard decluttered. Make sure that your grass is cut short and you don't store firewood next to your home.
If you struggle to keep rats out of your home, you should give us a call today. At Miche Pest Control, we can inspect your home and find out why the rats keep coming back. Call us to schedule your consultation today.
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