Owning a home requires a lot of maintenance. Additionally, maintenance involves pest control and making sure that your home is sealed up tight from outside intruders. Keep in mind that rats are notorious for destroying everything in their path. Specifically, roof rats that have invaded your home. No one wants to hear roof rats in their attic. Are roof rats dangerous? Considering that they destroy the structures of the home, and eat through your electrical wires, they are dangerous.
Let’s take a look below at what roof rats can do to your home.
What Are Roof Rats?
Roof rats are typically black and prefer to live in the upper parts of your home. Nesting is what makes a roof rat keep its name. They prefer to live in the ceiling or highest places of your home. Unfortunately, roof rats are very nimble and can enter any hole that is one-half inch in diameter.
What Do They Look Like?
Roof rats are typically called black rats. However, they can have fur color that ranges from light brown to black. They even have a light underbelly. Most roof rats measure out to be six to eight inches in size. Also, they can weigh between 2 and 8 ounces. Additionally, roof rats are slender and more athletic. They have tails that can double the size of their bodies.
What Makes Roof Rats Dangerous?
Believe it or not, roof rats are as dangerous as any other rat. Let’s take a look below at some reasons why roof rats are so dangerous.
- They will eat through your drywall and insulation.
- They will chew your electrical wires.
- Leave droppings and urine wherever they have access in your home.
- Contaminate your food source, which can cause food poisoning.
- Bring diseases to your home as they are hosts for parasites, bacteria, and viruses.
- They are known to be transporters of fleas, ticks, and worms.
How to Get Rid of Roof Rats?
Getting rid of roof rats can be a rather frustrating ordeal. However, the methods that you would use to get rid of any rodent are the same. Let’s take a look below at some ways that you can get rid of roof rats.
- Electronic traps
- Glue traps
- Rat Poison
- Rat cage traps
Preventing Roof Rat Infestation?
There are very simple things that you can do to prevent a roof rat infestation. Let’s take a look below at some simple solutions.
- Keep all bulk food in sealed plastic containers.
- Trim your trees so that no branches give access to the roof.
- Remove all yard waste so that piles cannot provide shelter to the rats.
- Elevate your wood stacks and keep the piles a safe distance from your home.
- Be sure that all vents and openings are sealed up in the home.
- Always keep your trash in a trash bin with a tight lid.
- Keep all doors and windows properly sealed.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you are aware of what roof rats are, you can begin to research what their nests look like. Knowing what a rat’s nest looks like is important for your understanding of whether or not you have an infestation.
Next, get an understanding of the behavior of rats. This way you can determine the best way to get rid of them. Following the instructions of your local pest control company can also help. Knowing that rats come out during the day could help you block their return.
Lastly, read up on the best ways to keep rodents away from your home. Learning about rodent exclusion can be most helpful.
When Do I Call A Professional?
If you happen to come across a rat’s nest in your home, you will want to call your local pest control company. Homeowners should not try to remove or expel the rats on their own. Also, you will want to ensure that all removal options are done in an environmentally friendly manner. Your local pest control company will be able to assist.
Conclusion
Finding a rat’s nest in the attic or walls of your home is not something to get excited about. As a homeowner, this can be a very frustrating circumstance. You should immediately call on your local pest control team to get a grip on the infestation. Rats carry diseases and letting them stay in your home exposes you and your family to those potential illnesses. Reach out to All South Pest Control to determine your pest service needs in McDonough, GA, and the surrounding areas.
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