RAT CONTROL

Rats are large rodents; they are generally slender with a pointed head, large eyes, and prominent, thinly furred ears. They have moderately long legs and long, sharp claws. The tail length among rats ranges from shorter than body length to appreciably longer. The tail appears smooth and bald but is actually covered with very short, fine hairs. These hairs become longer toward the tip, in very few species; which gives the tail a slightly tufted appearance. There are numerous species of rats that can be found within the United States, but the ones that most frequently create pest issues in homes and businesses are the Norway rat and the Roof rat.

Not sure if you have a rat problem? Or maybe you want to learn more about how rat control works. Check out the following mice information to clarify some questions you may have.

Library Shortcuts

Should I be concerned about rats?
Signs of a rat infestation
How to identify mice or rats?
Why do I have rats on my property?
Tips to prevent and control a rat infestation

Should I be concerned about rats?

Rats are considered carriers or transmitters of more human diseases than any other life form due to the unsanitary environments when they infest residential homes or businesses. They can transmit diseases if they bite or scratch humans; rats may bite or chase you if they feel threatened. Urine and feces are of serious concern as well, because of the rodent’s tenancy to get into food and share living space with humans. Rats also pose threats to your health and home by being frequent carriers of ticks and fleas. Fleas that fall off of the rodent can begin breeding in your home, causing an additional unpleasant pest issue.

In addition to the health concerns of having rats in your home, rodents are also known for being destructive. Rats prefer to gnaw on wood in spots such as doors, corners, and ledges, but can also gnaw on plastic and wood, leaving large holes in walls and floorboards. Their strong teeth can chew even through wires and cause electrical outages and problems.

Signs of a rat infestation

Rats are mostly active at night and usually stay away from humans as much as possible. They are pretty secretive so unless you have a high population of rats in your home, you may not actually see the rodent itself. It is actually easier to spot signs of a problem, rather than the actual pest. The following are some signs that might help you identify a rat problem:

Droppings and urine; are probably some of the most unsanitary signs of rat activity that a homeowner can find. Rat droppings are larger than mice droppings, but they are similar in appearance: dark brown or black, similar to the shape of a rice grain. The smell of urine is another sign, but it usually only comes with larger infestations of rats.
Smudge marks on walls; rats carry natural oils on their fur, which leave marks on the walls or on other areas that they pass habitually through. These marks are usually on walls or moldings near the floor, in more covert areas. You might also see them more near the attic or basement areas, where human traffic is less frequent.
Footprints; since rats are large they leave footprints behind. They cannot be seen in clean areas but you may see them in areas where there is dust.
Noise; sounds of movement in walls and attics are an early sign of rat activity in your property. Rats do not move silently, and you can hear the noise, particularly at night
Chew marks; rats have teeth that never stop growing. To curb this growth, they are compelled to gnaw, gnawed holes up to two inches wide in baseboards or at doorframes are a sign that there has been rat activity for a while. Holes in plastic packaging, cardboard boxes, and paper bags indicate rat involvement. Rats are a bit more capable than mice of getting through tough exteriors.

How to identify mice or rats?

There are different reasons why rats may come to your property; we have listed some of them below:

Food is what mainly attracts rats; rats aren’t picky eaters and will eat anything. Leaving out any unsecured food is one of the most common causes of an infestation.
Garbage bins offer not only a source of food to rats but also shelter. Rats will live in the trash, inside or outside.
Clutter and debris provide rats with shelter and protection from larger animals and the elements.
Rats can squeeze through the tiniest of cracks or holes, these entries provide easy entry into your home. The average home is going to have dozens of these tiny entry points; under the garage door, roof vents, crawl spaces, and areas around pipes and vents. Rats can climb trees and find a way to access your attic as well.
Rats need water, like any other living creature. They can find water in or around your property; dripping pipes, pet bowls of water, leaking sprinklers, etc.

If you have a recurrent problem with rodents you may need a rodent exclusion service.

Why do I have rats on my property?

There are different reasons why rats may come to your property; we have listed some of them below:

Food is what mainly attracts rats; rats aren’t picky eaters and will eat anything. Leaving out any unsecured food is one of the most common causes of an infestation.
Garbage bins offer not only a source of food to rats but also shelter. Rats will live in the trash, inside or outside.
Clutter and debris provide rats with shelter and protection from larger animals and the elements.
Rats can squeeze through the tiniest of cracks or holes, these entries provide easy entry into your home. The average home is going to have dozens of these tiny entry points; under the garage door, roof vents, crawl spaces, and areas around pipes and vents. Rats can climb trees and find a way to access your attic as well.
Rats need water, like any other living creature. They can find water in or around your property; dripping pipes, pet bowls of water, leaking sprinklers, etc.

If you have a recurrent problem with rodents you may need a rodent exclusion service.

Tips to prevent and control a rat infestation

The following steps may help you get a rat problem under control:

Seal any gaps you notice in your property; rats are capable of squeezing through small entries. It’s important that you make sure there are no rats inside by the time you seal the gaps since you might cause a worse problem if you seal them inside.
Eliminate potential food sources that may attract rats to your home; rats will eat anything, pet food, seeds, nuts, compost, etc.
Rats will also seek out water, so keep your yard clear of any standing water.
Store dry foods in tightly metal or glass sealed containers and make sure that you don’t leave any food sitting out on the counters.
Declutter and clean; make sure to keep clutter to a minimum, clean pipes and drains as regularly as possible, waste must be kept in closed bins.
Clean up pet food and birdseed debris; store pet food in robust containers with fitted lids, preferably above ground level.
Remove any potential nesting materials, such as cardboard boxes, newspapers, old insulation, etc.
Act quickly; so you can avoid a larger infestation.