Soft scratching sounds at night. Teeth marks on boxes. A few small droppings in the far corner of the attic.
No, this is not the beginning of a horror movie. What it is, however, is a clear sign that rats have taken up residence in your house.
The thought of pests invading your house is disturbing, to say the least. However, don’t panic yet. You can get rid of them once and for all with early intervention and the right knowledge. This guide will provide just that.
Indicators of Rat Infestations
Early detection of the signs of a rodent infestation is key to preventing a minor problem from escalating into a catastrophic disaster.
Rats leave obvious omens indicating their presence. One of the most common signs is their pellet-shaped droppings, which you will usually find in cabinets or near food sources. You could also spot them along walls where they scamper around the house.
You can tell how big the problem is by the amount of droppings. If you notice their dark and small excrement in different parts of your home, it could signal a widespread problem.
Those pesky troublemakers are not selective about what they chew on. They nibble on everything within reach to keep their teeth sharp. So, if you see bite marks on furniture or baseboards, this should confirm your suspicions.
Even your cables are not safe. This senseless gnawing is both destructive and dangerous. If they get to your electrical cords, your appliances can overheat and potentially catch fire. This is a serious safety hazard that endangers everyone at home.
They are also notorious for constructing nests out of shredded paper, fabric, or insulation. You will often find them in attics and basements, as well as under appliances.
If you notice torn or damaged materials, it is a surefire sign that those rascals have made your house their own. Additionally, rats alert you to their presence through sound as well.
Scraping or scuttling sounds coming from walls or ceilings are obvious indicators that rats are running around your house. Given their nocturnal nature, you will probably hear these sounds at night when everyone has quieted down for the day.
Foul, musky odours are another clue of a rodent problem. Rat urine smells strong, so you will not miss it. In cases of severe infestations, you will notice an even more offensive stench coming from dead rats.
Causes of Rat Infestations
Understanding the causes of rat infestations enables you to avoid them altogether by taking proactive actions.
Rodents enter homes for one of three reasons: food, shelter, and water. They are attracted to any food source, such as uncovered trash, crumbs on the kitchen floor, or poorly stored pantry goods.
These opportunistic scavengers devour anything within reach, including bird seeds and pet food. If rats find an accessible supply of food, they will look for close nesting locations and make themselves comfortable.
They like quiet, undisturbed spaces free of human activity. Garages, attics, basements, and crawl spaces are ideal hiding places for them. Messy or unorganised areas also provide the ideal cover for them to nest undetectably.
Your outdoor space is not impenetrable to their invasion, either. If there are heaps of wood, overgrown plants, or piles of trash outside, rats will seek cover there. Once they settle in their hiding spots, especially in colder weather, they will search for a way to get inside.
Finally, water supplies attract rats equally as much as food and cover. Rats are drawn to homes with plumbing problems, such as broken pipes or stagnant water. Areas that have water damage or high humidity are also prime nesting grounds for them.
Those irksome troublemakers can survive with enough water from something as basic as a pet water bowl left out overnight.
Dealing with any plumbing issues or excessive humidity will help keep them away from your home. Moreover, you need to block all possible entrance sites.
Rats are expert infiltrators and can always find tiny cracks to squeeze through. Even spaces as small as half an inch are still accessible to them. They typically invade homes through holes in walls, foundation fractures, defective vents, or gaps around windows and doors.
Make sure you carry out routine inspections to locate and seal these entry points before the rats seize control.
Why You Need a Rat Exterminator
Many homeowners use DIY solutions, like poisons and traps, to get rid of rodents. However, these usually only offer temporary relief.
Annoying as they are, rats are intelligent animals who know how to escape homemade traps. Not to mention, poison can endanger pets and humans.
Moreover, getting rid of the rats you see does not always indicate that the issue has been resolved. You have to find out where they are nesting and how they are entering to completely eliminate the problem.
This is where a qualified rat exterminator is most helpful. Trained to address infestations holistically, exterminators use their experience to remove the rodents that have gone into hiding.
They start with a comprehensive investigation of your house, searching for nests, points of access, and possible food or water supplies. Once the examination is finished, they design a custom strategy to eradicate the rats and prevent future invasions.
This often entails building bait stations, laying traps, or employing other merciful techniques to catch and eliminate the culprits.
Furthermore, a rat exterminator will fortify your house by spotting and closing any access points.
They will offer suggestions on how to keep food and water supplies safe, along with other preventative actions, such as keeping cleanliness and minimising clutter.
Why You Need to Act Quickly
If left untreated, rat infestations spread rapidly. Rodents have an astonishing reproduction rate. Within weeks, a single pair can breed hundreds of offspring. In return, it will be far more difficult and expensive to get rid of them.
The longer they remain in your house, the more damage they will inflict. Besides destroying your property, rats also contaminate food and water supplies.
Moreover, they spread various diseases through their urine, droppings, and bites. Salmonella, hantavirus, and leptospirosis are common examples of such afflictions.
The best course of action to avoid all this is to contact a reliable pest control service. Using professional-grade materials not accessible to the general public, exterminators will save the day.
Conclusion
Rodents are masterful infiltrators. You need to know what to look for to avoid a full-blown invasion.
Once you confirm their presence, call a qualified rat exterminator. They will effectively treat the infestation and rat-proof your home to prevent future infestations.
Remember, taking swift action is always the best strategy to maintain the safety and comfort of your living space and its inhabitants.