Rats are part of the rodent family and invade properties like yours in a series of crafty ways. Depending on the species, rats can use sewer systems or scale roofs to access the things they desire. Typically, rats are in search of shelter, food, and water, all of which you are likely giving to them in ample amounts unbeknownst to you. So long as rats have access to these things, they are very unlikely to leave.
Another reason rats are so difficult to get rid of is because they are nocturnal, live in places on your property that you either cannot access or rarely do, and they usually reproduce six times throughout the year, which can lead to a sizable infestation that you don’t even know exists. Because rats are also potentially harmful to your health, the safest and most effective way to get rid of them is with professional assistance. At B&T Pest Control, we specialize in Jacksonville pest control that ethically and safely addresses rats for long-term relief. We hope that you find the following guide useful. For more information on the specifics of our services, please visit our rodent control page.
Habits And Behaviors Of Common Rats
The rats in Jacksonville are most well known for their crafty maneuvers and the ways that they enter buildings and homes. Most common rats are very adept climbers, which sets them apart from other rodent counterparts like mice. They might not be as swift as squirrels, but rats are capable of climbing entire homes, rooflines, and trees if it means gaining access to the things they need.
The sewer rat also has a sneaky way of getting inside a building, but it will be no surprise, given their name. This type of rat commonly works its way through the sewer system to end up inside of a local property, making them very difficult to prevent and even harder to evict. But just like other rodents, rats can slip through quarter-sized openings, which makes gaps around doors and cracks in foundations potential points of entry for them as well.
It’s important to note that rats are also nocturnal animals, meaning they sleep during the day and are busy at work at night. However, rats are also very adaptable and will start to work around the schedules of the people that they live amongst. This can mean increased activity during the day for people who are out and work at night. Rats are quick to learn when they will have access to the drippings from a shower or food scraps because a nurse who’s just gotten home after the late shift cooked a meal. Lastly, it’s worth noting that rats are capable of having approximately six litters of pups throughout a given year, which can yield around 36 pups. This adds an additional layer to the difficult nature of rodent control in Jacksonville.
Why Rats Around Your Property Can Be Dangerous
Rats might seem harmless with their furry bodies and caricature-like features. However, they can be very dangerous to be around. Unlike other rodents, rats are less fearful of human interaction, and if you disturb an infected rat, they may bite or scratch you, which can lead to the aptly-named rat-bite fever. Rats are also known to leave behind feces, urine, and saliva that can be the source of the pathogens that trigger hazardous issues like tularemia, hantavirus, salmonellosis, and leptospirosis.
These health problems can usually be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional, yet they are still very serious. Some of the side effects of these illnesses include abdominal pain, nausea, chills, fever, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle pain. These types of issues usually occur when rats infest your food and beverages, however, something like hantavirus can also occur simply from coming into contact with particles of these byproducts or inhaling them. Allergic reactions and asthma attacks may also occur as a direct result of having rat droppings in a kitchen drawer or a little puddle of urine on the counter.
Rats also usually carry parasites because of the unsanitary conditions they are known to live in before making it to your home. Parasites like mites, fleas, and ticks can cause health issues for the people in your household as well as the pets. Because these insects feed on blood, they can directly spread pathogens that lead to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, murine typhus, anemia, and heart worm.
Lastly, rats are dangerous pests in Jacksonville to have around because of the property damage that they can cause. Like other rodents, rats have an innate need to chew on anything they can find and do so constantly in order to keep their front teeth from overgrowing. What this can look like in your home is ruined furniture and personal belongings, but also gaping holes in your walls and foundation that leave you exposed to future pest problems as well as ruined electrical wires, which can ultimately lead to house fires. Needless to say, having rats around can have some serious consequences.
How To Remove Factors That Attract Rats
Rats are a very easy pest to attract to your property because their needs are simple. All they really desire is access to a warm home when it’s cold outside, shelter from predators, a place to build a nest, and a steady stream of food and water. That’s not too much to ask, right?
In order to remove the factors that attract rats to your property, here are the steps that you need to take:
- Eliminate water issues. Rats thrive in areas of the home that are dank and damp, so it’s crucial to ensure that your basement, crawl spaces, and attic are all free from humidity. You’ll also want to cut off their water supply, so check for leaks outside and inside routinely and make sure to always shut off hoses and sinks.
- Practice proper food storage. While rats can make a meal out of almost anything, don’t entice them further by leaving leftovers uncovered on the counter or cereal boxes open in the cupboard. Rather, store all food items in sealed containers no matter where they live.
- Aim for cleanliness. Because rats are scavengers, they will also look for crumbs and scraps to serve as food as well. Be sure to never leave dirty dishes stacked in the sink, use garbage bins with locking lids indoors and outdoors, and always sweep up crumbs around the house. You’ll also want to reduce pockets of clutter that rats could use for nesting materials.
- Be scrupulous. Whether you need to trim back trees that come into contact with your home, store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home, or fill in the crevices in your foundation with steel wool, you want to use a keen eye for detail in order to maintain a tidy exterior of your property.
- Bring in professional help. When it comes to keeping rats out of your home, there is no substitute for professional help. Having a pest expert inspect your property, install exclusion, and provide monitoring for future issues can truly be invaluable.
For more information on rat prevention in Jacksonville, please call B&T Pest Control today.
The Safe And Effective Way To Get Rid Of Rats
Because rats are sneaky creatures and their presence can put your well-being at risk, the safest and most effective way to eliminate them is with professional help from B&T Pest Control. Our locally owned business was established in 1982 and we’ve been providing pest control in Jacksonville ever since. We are focused on finding lasting solutions for our customers while causing as little interruption to their daily lives as possible, which we exemplify in our rat removal services. Each of our treatments is also designed to be low-impact and use the safest all-natural products on the market so that we never have to risk your safety in order to see results.
At the first sign of rat activity, or to preempt a problem, give us a call. We’ll send out one of our highly-trained technicians to perform a meticulous property inspection, including the entire interior of your home and your yard and harborage sites. This is an important step because it allows us to understand how rats interact with your property and where potential issues could arise in the future.
After we’ve gathered all of the necessary information, we’ll develop a treatment plan that is unique to our findings and the nature of your daily life. Part of your plan might include implementing measures like bait stations and mechanical traps in order to lure out active rats. Then, we’ll install exclusion, essentially filling up the smallest openings around your property to deprive rats access to the inside of your home. This process requires immense attention to detail as we tend to areas such as: plumbing voids, vents, foundations, and the smallest gaps. This approach is designed to build long lasting rat-free results, which we guarantee. Still, with ongoing maintenance, we’ll be able to ensure that you never encounter another rat infestation again. For more information, please call us today.
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