Roof Rats can destroy attics, ceilings and electrical wires, so it’s important to rat-proof your home. Look for droppings, greasy rub marks and gnaw holes in wood or pipe covers. Contact Roof Rat Removal Service Texas now!
Snap traps are a quick, humane way to eliminate roof rats, as is the use of ultrasonic deterrents. Avoid glue traps, which cause rats to suffocate and starve to death.
As the name implies, roof rats are adept climbers that can live in elevated locations, such as tree branches and fruit trees outside a home. They also nest in cluttered areas of the attic and walls, as well as the tops of cabinets. When they infest homes, they can cause a host of problems, including contamination of food with rodent droppings, gnawing of electrical wires (which can lead to fires) and damage to wood structures and insulation.
Since they are nocturnal, it is difficult to see a rat infestation until the signs are fairly obvious. These signs include droppings and greasy footprints around the home, as well as smudges and gnaw marks on interior surfaces. Additionally, you might notice gnawed or chewed-through electrical wires in the attic or on the roof.
In addition to the damage they cause to interior wood, electrical wiring and insulation, roof rats can be a serious health threat as they carry fleas that transmit diseases like bubonic plague. The urine and saliva of these rodents can also contaminate foodstuffs and animal feed, as well as damage packaging materials.
Because of their climbing abilities, roof rat infestations can be very hard to control. You can reduce the number of rats on your property by thinning dense vegetation, such as Algerian or English ivy, star jasmine and honeysuckle. Trimming overhanging tree limbs can also be helpful.
Inside the house, a pest control professional can help you limit your exposure to these rodents by sealing entry points into the home. This can include cracks around windows and doors, uncovered electrical outlets outside the house, drain pipe openings in the wall or yard, unused garages or storage sheds and other similar entry points.
A professional can also provide sound and visual deterrents to keep the rodents away, although it is important to note that these are short-term solutions. In order to prevent the rats from returning, it is necessary to block access points and install wildlife exclusion systems for long-term relief. Contact a local Critter Control office to learn more about these effective and permanent solutions.
Rats are excellent climbers and can gnaw their way into the roof of your home, garage or shed. Once inside, they can contaminate stored foods and create fire hazards by chewing on electrical wires. They also carry diseases such as bubonic plague, leptospirosis and trichinosis.
The main way to spot a rat infestation is by the droppings they leave behind. These are black or brown and cylindrical in shape. You may also notice gnaw marks on the joists, siding and ductwork of your home. Rats gnaw through wood and drywall, and the marks will have ragged, rough edges. You can also see tracks and tail drag marks in dusty areas or places with dirt.
Roof rats prefer to nest in the upper parts of buildings, like attics and rafters. During the day, they hunt for food and shelter in forests, dense vegetation, wood piles and garbage dumps. They can easily climb up to the roof of your house through tree limbs and vents, and can get into basements through crawl spaces.
Another sign of a rat problem is hearing noises in the attic, which could be rats scratching or gnawing on the roof or insulation. You might also hear scurrying sounds or the sound of rats running across the ceiling, especially at night. If you have pets, their behavior might change if they smell or hear a rodent running around. They might act skittish or hyperactive, or their tails may be wagging.
If you suspect a rat infestation, call a professional immediately. Pest control experts have the tools and knowledge to identify all the entry points into your home and seal them. Rats can fit through openings that are the size of a dime, so it’s important to have all these areas properly sealed by professionals.
It’s also important to keep your property clean, removing tall brush and preventing debris from piling up next to your home. Keep trash cans with tight-fitting lids, and store firewood at least a foot off the ground. Keep wood and rock piles away from the foundation of your home, and don’t store flammable materials like shingles or old equipment near your home.
These nocturnal rodents love to nest in attics, crawl spaces and dark, secluded areas. Despite their small size, they are capable of chewing through electrical wires and starting fires. They also contaminate food, spread diseases and cause damage to the roof.
Thankfully, there are several methods to deal with these pesky pests. Snap traps are among the most effective, but they are difficult to set and may not work on a large infestation. Glue traps are another popular option, but they can be cruel. Rats trapped in glue traps are often forced to chew their paws off to free themselves, and this can lead to serious injuries.
Another type of rat trap is an electronic one, which uses a high-voltage shock to kill the rodent. This is a more humane alternative to traditional traps, but it can only be used indoors and may not be suitable for homes with young children or pets.
If these traps don’t work, there are several natural rat repellents that can be helpful. Mothballs, for example, are extremely toxic to rats and can be placed in attics or other places where you suspect a rat infestation.
Aside from these home remedies, there are also professional rat control services that can be enlisted to deal with the problem. Pest professionals can help identify the exact location of the rat population and create a pest management plan accordingly.
Getting rid of roof rats can be an uphill battle, but with a little patience and the right tools, it is possible to make these pests disappear for good. It’s important to act fast, as these rodents multiply quickly. With access to food, water and shelter, they can quickly become a major health and safety risk for your family. If you’re seeing scratching noises at night or catching glimpses of these critters during the day, it’s time to contact a rat exterminator.
Once the rats are gone, there are some things you can do to prevent them from returning. Start by cleaning up food messes and crumbs, keeping pantry items in airtight containers, and throwing away cardboard boxes and paper scraps. Then, get rid of firewood piles and cluttered sheds that could serve as hiding places for rats. If you have a garden, store the seeds and fertilizer in a metal or plastic container that can be sealed shut. Clutter also makes the outdoors more attractive to rats, so regularly weed and trim the yard.
Rats are attracted to moisture and can gain entry to a home through cracks, crevices, and gaps. Sealing these spaces with caulk and steel wool will help to keep them out. If you have vents in the roof, make sure that they are screened, and install screens over chimneys as well. Regularly inspect your attic and ceilings for gnaw marks, rub marks, and nests.
Routinely prune shrubbery and vines that are growing around or near your house to reduce the amount of cover these pests have, and take down tree limbs within three feet of the roofline. You can also reduce the likelihood of them entering your home by removing any sources of food or water in the yard, such as bird feeders, fountains, and leaky pipes.
A good landscaper can help you prevent the spread of rodents by avoiding the use of dense ground cover such as ivy and vines around or close to your house, removing any overhanging tree branches, and thinning out vegetation that could provide harborage for rats. Also, avoid over-watering the garden.
You can also keep your yard clean of potential food and water sources by storing all trash in garbage cans that have tight-fitting lids, picking up any discarded produce or food in the yard, and making sure that pet waste is collected regularly. Lastly, remove any overhanging branches or limbs from trees and keep them trimmed, and don’t store firewood or woodpiles close to your home. If you suspect a rat problem, hire a professional to deal with it as quickly and effectively as possible.