What to Know About Rats for Removal and Prevention
Rats are destructive pests capable of contaminating food and surfaces and destroying equipment and physical structures. They leave greasy marks along surfaces they repeatedly rub against. If a trap is newly introduced into their environment, they’ll change their movement patterns, making it more difficult to capture them.
There are upwards of 50 different species within the Rattus genus worldwide. You only need to be aware of a handful that are common in the United States: the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the Roof rat (Rattus rattus).
Norway rats, also referred to as brown or sewer rats, can grow up to slightly over a foot in length with primarily gray and reddish-brown coloring. Roof rats have a darker coloring that gives them their nickname, “black rats.”
How do pest control experts get rid of rats? Your pest control technician will strategize the best placement of traps and what methods to use in your South Carolina home or business. Our team at Gregory Pest Solutions can identify how rats got in and help you prevent future invasions with full residential rat control services.
Why Are There Rats in My Home or Business?
You have rats because your home or business had the perfect mix of shelter and sustenance to keep their colony alive. Rats seek seclusion, warmth, and accessible food. Keep track of those things and all the corners of your home that they could hide in to keep them out.
In their escape from the elements to find food, rats use their excellent noses to smell your dinner well outside your walls. They’re also experts in discovering small openings and finding their way in. Be careful – rats are social creatures and will likely invite their friends. Rats prefer dark, quiet places and often settle in attics, basements, or between walls.
Rats are also capable climbers. When you’re looking for potential entry points, look both above and below eye level. They can fit through holes as small as a coin, so don’t overlook even the smallest opening.
Where You Might See Rats
Roof rats are excellent climbers. They can be found in upper levels of buildings, ceilings, trees, vegetation, or on rooftops. Norway rats like to burrow. They prefer lower levels and areas that are typically unoccupied.
Make note of any sightings or signs, such as droppings and greasy rub or gnaw marks. This will alert your pest control provider of potential hotspots.
Rat Prevention Tips
Rat prevention (like most pest prevention) is best done through pest exclusion. Exclusion involves sealing any potential holes, cracks, or areas of your home that open more than half an inch. Other tips to consider include:
- Patch holes in screens, weather-strip doors, and caulk cracks.
- Stay on top of cleanliness (both inside and outside) to minimize the potential food and water sources available to rats.
- Clean up spills immediately and keep food sealed.
- Eliminate clutter in basements and outdoor buildings.
- Trim outdoor home vegetation, especially on the perimeter of buildings.
- Remove any potential hiding places (such as wood piles, clutter, trash piles, or debris).
- Do not overwater mulched areas around a structure.
- Make sure that plumbing p-traps are filled with water to ensure they are sealed.
- Use sodium vapor bulbs or LED lights of greater than 550 nm.
- Reduce humidity by using a dehumidifier.
You can also attempt to catch rats using traps – but if your problem is bigger than one or two rats, your best option is to contact a professional pest removal company like Gregory Pest Solutions.
Can Rats Hurt Me?
Yes, rats can create a lot of problems and can cause harm. They’re responsible for a significant amount of disease transmission including:
- Leptospirosis (a bacterial disease)
- Rat-bite fever (transmitted through bites and scratches)
- Salmonellosis (from drinking or consuming water or food that rat populations have contaminated)
Spreading of illnesses aside, rat populations can inflict noticeable damage on the homes or businesses they inhabit. Rat teeth constantly grow, so they need things to chew on so their teeth don’t grow out of control. They’ll chew on nearly anything, destroying home furniture or structure. Rats chewing on your electrical wires can cause potential electrical fires.
Do Rats Hibernate?
No. Rats in the wild stockpile food for the winter, burrow into a sheltered area, and slow down their activity. While rats have survived winters on their own for thousands of years, your home is an enticing alternative to a snow-covered burrow.
Can Rats Climb Walls?
Rats are excellent climbers and if the wall surface is rough enough to gain purchase, a rat could climb it. They have no problem climbing up drain pipes, bushes, and stucco.
Are Rats Nocturnal?
Yes. Rats come out at night and are most active at dusk or dawn. Scratching, chewing, and shuffling sounds at night could be a sign of a rat in your home.
What Do Rats Eat?
Nearly anything. Rats are omnivores that will eat whatever they can find in your pantry or garbage. They tend to favor seeds and grains.
How Long Do Rats Live?
In the wild, rats typically live one to two years. Pet rats can live longer. Female rats give birth to five to twelve pups per litter and can have up to seven litters in one year.
How Will Gregory Pest Solutions Remove Rats From My Property?
If you’re currently facing a problem with rats, give our team at Gregory Pest Solutions a call. Just because rats are causing you trouble now doesn’t mean they always will be. Gregory Pest Solutions will send one of our expert technicians out. They’ll arrive at your home or business to identify the variety of rats that have made their nest in your space and determine how they got in.
Once we’ve determined the variety of rats that have made their nests, we’ll work to remove them. We will find the nests, remove any debris, and implement a prevention plan to eliminate further infestation. Our methods are thorough and ecologically safe for you, your family, and the environment you live in.
We offer our services in all of the states listed below. Our technicians are on standby and ready to provide their help:
Don’t let a small rat cause a big problem. Call us today!