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Rats

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS RATS POSE TO HOMES AND FAMILIES

Rats are incredibly adaptable and can be found thriving almost everywhere in our urban communities. Their small size, powerful teeth and ability to climb allow them to slip through tiny gaps and hidden passages on a property from the foundation to the roof vents. Rats can also access homes from sewers and plumbing systems, making them a persistent problem that can be difficult to address without professional equipment and knowledge. Dealing with a rat infestation on a property can cause significant property damage and pose serious health risks, which is why it’s crucial to address any rat problems on your property quickly.

Eliminating rats on your own can be quite challenging. In one year, a population of just two rats can grow to nearly 1,250, with the potential for even more growth. Seeing one rat often indicates a larger infestation elsewhere in your home. Rats typically avoid areas with high human activity, and the longer they remain undisturbed, the more areas they can invade and damage. Without professional help, effectively removing rats and preventing their return can be nearly impossible.

Skedaddle technicians have been effectively removing and excluding rats from homes and businesses since 1989. With over 30 years of experience, our technicians will not only remove every rat from your home but also address the root causes of the problem. We provide comprehensive, long-term solutions by sealing entry points, installing preventative measures, and ensuring that any potential attractants are managed. By choosing our expert services, you’re investing in a thorough approach that safeguards your home and family and prevents future rat infestations.

HEALTH HAZARDS OF RAT INFESTATIONS EVERY HOMEOWNER SHOULD KNOW

Rats are more than just a nuisance; they can lead to significant health risks for both people and pets living in a home. Key health concerns that rats can create while living inside a home include:

• Property Damage: Beyond health concerns, rats can cause significant damage to your home. Rats are rodents with powerful teeth that make it easy to gnaw on structural wood, trim and drywall. Their activity can also destroy insulation, affecting the energy efficiency of your basement or attic. Water damage isn’t out of the question either as rats are known to satisfy their need for water by chewing on PEX plumbing and dishwasher lines.
• Fire Hazard: Chewed electrical wires in ceilings and behind walls can lead to hidden fire hazards.
• Disease Transmission: Rats are known carriers of several diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets. They leave harmful bacteria behind everywhere they go. Dangerous illnesses include:
  • Hantavirus: Spread through contact with rat urine, droppings, or saliva. People can also become infected by inhaling the dust from dried droppings and urine that can become airborne. Hantavirus can cause severe respiratory issues and can be life-threatening.
  • Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can be contracted through contact with water contaminated by rat urine. It can cause flu-like symptoms and, in severe cases, lead to liver damage or kidney failure.
  • Salmonella: Rats can spread salmonella bacteria through their feces, which can cause gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

HOW TO IDENTIFY SIGNS OF A RAT INFESTATION

Understanding the key indicators of a rat problem is the best way to deal with it quickly and prevent additional damage. Once inside and established, rats are able to access just about every corner of a home but they prefer to avoid spaces frequented by humans. This can make identifying their presence difficult. Common signs of a rat infestation include:

• Droppings: Look for small, dark, and cylindrical droppings, usually found near food sources, along baseboards, or in other hard to reach areas of the home.
• Gnaw Marks: Rats chew on various household materials. Fresh gnaw marks on food packaging, wood, plastic, or wires can indicate their presence.
• Nests: Rats build nests from shredded materials like paper, fabric, or insulation. Nests are often found in hidden places such as attics, basements, or behind appliances.
• Noises: Chewing, scratching or squeaking sounds in walls or ceilings, especially at night, can be a sign of rats moving around.
• Tracks: In dusty or sandy areas, you might see small, irregular tracks left by rat feet.

Why Do I Need Professional Rat Removal?

When it comes to DIY rat removal, the problem is often made worse rather than resolved. Rats are neophobic, meaning they are wary of changes to their surroundings. They are cautious of and will often avoid new or unfamiliar items or objects introduced to their environment. This behavior is one of the many reasons that DIY rat controllers often fail to resolve rat issues with traps and poisons purchased online or from a local hardware store.

Since rats reproduce at such an alarming rate, there are typically dozens or even hundreds of rats with access to the home. Failing to get the problem under control early can lead to additional damage and delayed results.

A simple trap or poison will not be able to eliminate all the rodents inside your home. Without a strategy or understanding of rat biology most homeowners struggle to get the problem under control. In the wrong hands, poisons can be dangerous for pets or other animals who accidentally come in contact with them. It can also lead to unpleasant and persistent odor problems should the rats die in inaccessible areas of the home.

Ultimately, the most important step in preventing future rat infestation is to find and block off their entry points. Rats leave a trail of odor wherever they go that serves as an invitation to other rats in the neighborhood to join them. As long as there are open entry points into your home there is a high risk of reinfestation.

Professional rat removal is crucial for achieving a lasting solution to infestations. Skedaddle technicians possess the specialized knowledge to identify and access hidden or hard to reach entry points that may be missed by untrained eyes. Our technicians are equipped with the necessary tools to safely reach these areas, seal entry points effectively, and address any hazardous conditions. Additionally, our rat removal services ensure that all bacteria is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent health risks. Trusting professionals ensures that your rat problem is resolved comprehensively, safeguarding your home from future infestations.

Tips to Keep Rats Away

Rats are persistent creatures, often returning to homes due to readily available food sources. While expert services can effectively address infestations, it’s crucial to make your home less inviting to these pests. Here are some practical tips to help keep rats at bay:

1. Secure Your Trash: Avoid leaving trash on the floor or in open containers. Always seal your trash bags and store them in secure, rat-proof bins.
2. Seal Food Containers: Store all food items in rigid airtight containers to prevent rats from accessing them.
3. Maintain a Tidy Property: Keep your yard and property free from food debris and avoid using bird feeders. Remove backyard clutter and trim back shrubs and overgrown landscaping so rats have fewer places to hide.
4. Inspect Your Home Regularly: Keep an eye out for signs of rat activity like staining, chewing or tracks around your home, particularly around the foundation, including decks, basement windows and vents.

Common Rat Questions

Can Rats Climb Walls?

Rats are skilled climbers and can easily scale up and down walls as well as plumbing lines. In addition to entering below and at ground level, they often enter homes from above, making it tricky to spot where they might be getting in. Once inside, rats use their climbing abilities to navigate throughout the house, frequently following pathways created for plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems that extend from the basement to the attic.

Are Rats Dangerous?

During an infestation, rats leave behind harmful droppings wherever they go. Their droppings can carry diseases such as Salmonellosis and Leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to humans and pets when they contaminate surfaces and household items.

How Are Rats Getting Inside My Home?

Rats can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps, so they don’t need much of an opening to gain entry. Common entry points include plumbing systems, gaps between building materials, openings around utility lines, windows and doors, as well as unprotected exhaust vents.

What Are Signs of a Rat Infestation?

Rats are nocturnal animals, so you might hear them scurrying around your basement, attic or within the walls during the night. Other signs to watch for include sightings of rats, droppings, chewed food or packaging, and a distinct smell of ammonia in enclosed spaces.

What’s the Difference Between Rats and Mice?

Rats and mice may look similar, but there are key differences to help identify them. Rats are larger, with thick, scaly tails and blunt noses, while mice are smaller, with thin, hairy tails and pointed noses. Rat droppings are capsule-shaped and larger, whereas mice leave smaller, rice-shaped droppings. Rats are more cautious and prefer secluded nesting areas, while mice are more curious and tend to nest closer to food sources.