Keeping your Madison property safe from wildlife encroachment can be a challenge, especially when the animals in question are clever. Few are as enterprising as rodents, and rats in particular are curious, intelligent and adaptable. They seem to thrive almost anywhere, and when you discover them on your property, we at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control are standing by to assist you with rat removal and provide you with some information about the possible dangers these rodents present.

1. Nesting and Gnawing Can Cause Fires 

When rats find a place that provides them with nearby food, water and safety from predators, they may nest in that area, bringing a variety of materials to build it. They use old paper, cardboard boxes and may even gnaw into stored furniture to pull out the stuffing. They chew all these materials to make a nest, and if they breach your home’s walls, the buildup of material can cause a severe fire.

Rats may also chew on your home’s wiring to file down their incisors. Like other rodents, a rat’s front teeth never stop growing, so it must chew and gnaw almost constantly. When they discover and chew your home’s wires, it may cause a short and, if the short causes sparks, a house fire. Removing the rats is the most effective way to prevent this.

2. Rats Spread Disease 

Some rodents, especially rats, have been responsible for some of the most deadly plagues in history because of how quickly they can spread disease. Rats carry a variety of dangerous diseases, including:

• Hantavirus 
• Salmonella 
• Rat-bite fever 
• Leptospirosis 

Rats also carry fleas, ticks and internal parasites that can make your house pets ill. Dogs and cats that come into contact or kill any rats may pick up these parasitic pests and once they spread throughout the house, they can be quite difficult to eliminate.

3. Rats Can Contaminate Food 

Rats are adept at chewing through food boxes, bags and might even access your pantry by chewing through the boards and drywall at the rear of the storage space. Like most rodents, rats defecate and urinate as they forage, which could seriously contaminate your stored food. They will also chew into pet food bags to gather kibble, and what they leave behind could cause your pets to get ill.

4. Rats May Scratch and Bite 

While rats usually try to hide and steer clear of people, a cornered or trapped rat will likely try to defend itself with its teeth and claws. Rat bites can be quite serious and any injury caused by a rat can become infected due to the bacteria they carry. When it comes to wildlife control in Madison, calling our experienced technicians to evaluate and handle your rat problem can help you and your family avoid any contact with these potentially dangerous rodents.

Our Rat Removal Process 

When our wildlife removal technicians come to your home, they will first inspect your property to discover where rats might be nesting. Once found, our techs will remove live rats, including pups, in a humane manner before clearing away any nesting material that may pose a threat of fire or disease. They can also clean these areas completely to ensure no traces of feces or urine remain, as the urine in particular can have a strong, foul odor that may linger if it is not cleaned properly.

Once our technicians remove all the live rats and nesting material, they will further safeguard your home by discovering and sealing any entrances rats created by gnawing through building materials. Finally, they will advise you about how to prevent attracting rats, such as sealing food in glass containers and picking up pet food dishes overnight to make them inaccessible to rats.

Finding rats on your Madison property can be stressful, but we are ready to assist you. Contact us today for an appointment and let us help you rid your property of these rodents.