Roof rats are common rodents in Coquitlam. The species also goes by the names of black rats or ship rats, and it gets its name from the tendency to seek shelter in the upper levels of buildings, like attics. To understand how to get rid of rats, you must understand the rat’s characteristics and preferences, which is why it is best to leave removal to wildlife control professionals. Professional and humane services can remove infestations and repair buildings to minimize future occurrences.

5 Signs of a Rat Infestation

Rats reproduce quickly. A female can have up to six litters per year, with each litter containing between five and 10 pups. The pups reach sexual maturity by three to five months, meaning infestations can quickly swell to hundreds or thousands of rats within a year.

Because of the rapid growth of roof rat populations, it is best to consult with services specializing in rat removal in Coquitlam to remove the existing infestation, but how do you know you have an infestation? When rat populations reach a certain number, it is hard for them to hide evidence. Home and business owners can identify infestations by looking for any of the five signs of rodents.

1. Chewed Food Packages

Rats are capable chewers, and when hungry, there are few packages durable enough to stand up against their teeth. When a rat population reaches infestation numbers, property owners will probably start to notice chewed-through food packages, like cereal boxes, chip bags, etc.

An excellent way to prevent chewed-through packaging and food contamination is with airtight containers. Most snacks and dry goods do not arrive in the best packaging. Rats can often smell through cardboard materials  and thin plastics. If you store food in a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, the animal is less likely to smell the food and get curious about a package’s contents.

2. Scurrying or Squeaking Noises

Rats, like all rodents, make noises when moving about or chattering among nestmates. If you listen closely, you might hear squeaking or scurrying from wall cavities or attic spaces.

Most of the noises will occur in the evening because rats are nocturnal animals. That said, babies might make noise at any time, and so might the mother. If you hear noises, you should call a professional to determine the extent of your problem.

3. Scattered and Shredded Materials

Like mice, rats build nests using whatever soft and available materials they have. When inside a house, the animal might use bits of cardboard, paper, insulation, furniture stuffing, etc.

As the animal finds, removes, and transports the materials, it may lose some along the way. You might find evidence of these late-night gathering sessions all over the house.

4. Piles of Droppings

Roof rats may leave piles of droppings around the property. Fresh droppings are moist and soft, measuring about 12-13 mm. They are oval with pointed ends. Old droppings are hard and dry.

Finding rat droppings inside your house or business is proof of a rodent problem. You should call wildlife control services immediately and schedule an inspection.

5. Chewed or Damaged Materials

Like other rodents, rats must constantly chew to keep their teeth filed. The animal’s teeth never stop growing, so chewing is a means of survival.

Because the animal chews incessantly, it doesn’t discriminate between objects. It will chew furniture, woodwork, wires, and more. A rat infestation left unmitigated quickly presents a fire and safety hazard.

Reasons To Hire Rat Removal in Coquitlam

Rats will bite, scratch, and cause enormous safety and health hazards on a property. If you want to know how to keep rats away from your home safely, you need to hire an animal control professional. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control if you believe your property has a rat infestation.