• Rats are a common household pest that can cause significant damage to property and spread diseases.
• Immediate damage from rats include chewed wires, insulation, nests, and burrows which can lead to fire hazards.
• Long-term damage from rat infestations includes large populations that can affect other areas outside the home.
• Preventing rats from entering your home is the best way to keep them away. This includes sealing cracks and holes, eliminating food sources, and removing clutter.
Rats are one of the most common household pests. They have an uncanny ability to sneak into homes and wreak havoc, often without us even noticing it. It’s estimated that nearly three million homes have seen rats in their home.
If you think there may be rats in your home, taking action quickly is vital. Here’s a look at what kind of damage rats can do to your household and how you can prevent them from entering.
The Immediate Damage They Can Cause
Rats may seem harmless, but they can cause a lot of damage to your property if left unchecked. They will chew through wires, insulation, and other items to build nests or burrow their way into walls or attics.
They can also affect your home’s foundation and cause structural damage. This can not only leave behind unsightly damage, but it could also be a fire hazard if electrical wires are chewed through. Rats will also climb on pipes and cabinets, searching for food sources, leaving behind urine and droppings that can contaminate food or spread diseases like salmonella or leptospirosis.
The Long-Term Damage They Can Do
In addition to the immediate damage they can cause, rats can also cause long-term problems for households due to their large population size and fast reproduction rate.
If left unchecked, rat infestations can become so large that they affect other areas outside your home, such as gardens, sheds, garages, yards, etc. It is also important to note that once rats have established themselves in a home.
Getting rid of them is challenging since they are adept at hiding from predators and finding new ways out when their current entry points are blocked off. Unfortunately, this means that the longer you wait before taking action against a rat infestation in your home, the more likely it will be difficult to eradicate them from the area entirely.
Tips For Getting Rids of Rats in Your Home
Overall, rats pose a serious threat when it comes to damaging property and spreading disease within households. Here are some things you need to know when combating this infestation:
Identifying the Problem
The most common type of rat found in households is the Norway rat, also known as a brown rat or sewer rat. They are larger than mice, with a body length of 8-10 inches and a tail length of 7-9 inches.
Rats prefer to live near food sources, water sources, and shelter in dark places like basements, attics, and garages. If you suspect you have rats in your home, you may notice droppings around food sources or other signs such as gnaw marks on wood or wires.
Preventative Measures
The first step in keeping rats away from your home is eliminating any potential food sources that might attract them in the first place. This means ensuring garbage cans are properly sealed and storing pet food securely away from where rats can access it.
Additionally, sealing any cracks or holes inside and outside your home (including utility lines) with wire mesh will help keep rodents out. Finally, removing clutter from yard areas can reduce nesting sites for rats and other rodents. It might also be wise to check your home’s foundation.
Build a Better Foundation
One of the main reasons rats enter your home is because your home’s foundation is defective or weak. First, inspect your foundation for cracks, holes, or openings and seal them accordingly. Additionally, consider renovating your home’s foundation. A local concrete foundation construction service can assess the existing situation and determine if anything needs to be done. They can also rebuild your home’s foundation using concrete which is effective in preventing rodents from entering your home.
Getting Rid of Rats
If rats have already made their way into your home, several methods can be used to eliminate them effectively.
One option is using traps baited with peanut butter or cheese; once rats enter these traps, they cannot escape until a professional pest control service provider has removed them.
Additionally, rodenticides can be used but should only be handled by professionals due to safety concerns related to exposure to potentially toxic chemicals. The most effective method combines traps with rodenticides placed strategically throughout areas where rats have been seen or suspected activity has been noticed. This approach ensures that all existing rodents are eliminated quickly and deter new ones from entering again.
Rats are a severe problem for any household, but with the proper preventative measures and quick action, you can keep them away from your home. With a bit of effort, you can eliminate any rat infestations in your home. If done correctly, it will help to protect your property and your family’s health in the long run.
