Some wildlife species that share the outdoor spaces in and around Pickering have adapted to living near humans because of the resources they provide and, in many cases, homeowners do not realize that they do so. Rodents, such as mice and rats, are extremely adaptable and can recall food and water sources with little trouble. Once they find these necessary sources, they may seek ways into a home to make a nest and raise their young away from bad weather and predators. 

Once rats move into your Pickering home, they can multiply quickly and cause many different types of damage. They also carry diseases and parasites that may also spread throughout your home. If you suspect a rat infestation, calling us here at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for rat removal in Pickering can help you verify the signs and provide you with services that are safe and effective. 

Finding Nesting Materials 

When mother rats build nests, they use a variety of materials and usually choose a warm spot in your home, such as the attic or behind a wall near a heat source. They forage for a variety of materials, including: 

• Cardboard
• Twigs 
• Leaves 
• Fabric
• Paper 

Rats may also pull out and shred insulation to make their nests. You may find nesting material in your attic ceiling, along your baseboards and inside stored items, such as furniture with padding or cushions. 

New Strange or Foul Odours

Rat urine and feces have a powerful odour, and the urine can damage porous building materials, such as drywall, by soaking up the urine and its odour. Rat urine gives off an odour like ammonia and may travel through your home’s heating and cooling system once the rats establish a nest. Males tend to have stronger-smelling urine than females due to their territorial marking behaviour. 

Your Pets Appear Anxious 

Cats and dogs have a sense of smell that is much more powerful than those of people and may pick up on signs of a rat infestation before you do. They may paw at your attic door or appear to cock their ears toward sounds they hear behind walls, such as scratching and the tiny squeals of rat pups. Cats may vocalize more as they try to alert you to the presence of rodents. 

Grease and Gnaw Marks on Baseboards 

You may need services for rat removal in Pickering if you notice discoloured smears and gnaw marks on your home’s baseboards. Rats have grease in their fur that they leave behind while running the paths they make to food and water sources. They also gnaw building materials constantly to file down their incisors, which never stop growing. 

How To Get Rid of Rats With Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control

When our technicians arrive at your home, they begin with an inspection that reveals where rats might be nesting, such as in your attic. Once discovered, the techs then install one-way doors near entrances so rats cannot return once they leave to forage. 

Our wildlife removal technicians also have the tools and the know-how to safely remove nesting material and building materials damaged by urine and feces. Rats carry parasites, such as ticks and fleas, so trying to clean surfaces with everyday products may not eliminate these rodents. Finally, our technicians will seal any rat entrance points, including those on your roof, as most species of these rodents are expert climbers and can access your roof via tree branches. Cutting back foliage and removing food and water resources can help keep rats away. 

Contact Us for Rat Removal In Pickering 

A rat infestation can cause serious damage to your Pickering home and family. The longer the colony has time to grow, the more dangerous it becomes, and handling these animals yourself can result in a deep flesh wound, as they will bite and scratch in defence of their nests. Contact us today for assistance in keeping your home rat-free all year round.