Rat invasions are one of the most common rodent problems home and business owners face in Northern Texas. Rodents are a nuisance, destroy property, and pose a significant health risk.
Eliminating these highly adaptable creatures can be challenging without using the proper methods. The swiftest and most reliable solution to a rat problem is to call in rodent control professionals.
Common Rats in Lewisville: What Do They Look Like?
There are three common species of rats in Lewisville.
Norway Rats
Norway rats are of Chinese origin and made their way into the US on freight vessels in the late 1700s. They typically have a heavy body with a shaggy brown coat with black hair scattered throughout and a grayish-white underbelly.
These rats can be 7-9 ½ inches long. Norway rats have a rounded muzzle, short ears, and small eyes, and their tail is shorter than the body length.
Woodrats
Woodrats have a grayish-brown body, with their coat color changing slightly by season. They can grow up to 18 inches in length! Woodrats have long tails covered with a thick layer of fur, unlike the hairless tail found in most other rat species.
Roof Rats
Roof rats are excellent climbers because they are small and sleek. They often climb trees to access a property through the roof and typically inhabit the upper parts of a building, like attics. They have a brownish-black body and a contrasting grayish, white, or black underbelly.
Their tail is longer than the body, and the species grows up to 16 inches long. Roof rats also have large ears, large eyes, and a pointed muzzle.
Where To Find Rats in Lewisville, TX
Depending upon the species, rats tend to inhabit different areas of a property.
Norway Rats
Norway rats mostly nest in basements and first floors of homes and other buildings.
Wood Rats
Woodrats most commonly burrow under shrubbery, below the home, under stones, or in woodpiles.
Roof Rats
Due to their excellent ability to climb, roof rats are typically found in attics and upper portions of a property.
Are Rats Dangerous?
While they may not be aggressive and try to avoid being close to humans, rats inside a home are considered dangerous.
They constantly gnaw on things to keep their continuously growing front incisors in check and wear them down. This may weaken the structure of a property and cause expensive damage. Rats chew on clothing, furniture, shoes, pictures, and books. If they chew through electrical wiring, they can cause a house fire.
More importantly, rats transmit various pathogens, and eating foods contaminated with their urine, feces, or saliva can cause diseases like Salmonellosis and dysentery.
Lastly, rats also carry ectoparasites. They may cause secondary pest problems in your home, including fleas, mites, and ticks.
Rat Prevention Tips
Here are some ways to keep rats out of your property:
- Block all potential entry points around doors or windows or in walls using caulk.
- Eliminate access to food sources and store them in airtight containers, including pet food.
- Maintain cleanliness indoors and outdoors by cleaning crumbs and spills and removing garden waste and other disused materials in your yard.
- Eliminate their access to water sources by repairing any leaking faucets or sprinklers and clearing away puddles.
- Practice proper waste management by emptying garbage regularly and sealing garbage bins with airtight lids.
- Contact professional pest control services for complete extermination and effective rat-proofing on your property.
Getting Rid of Rats in Lewisville, TX
If you have rats on your property, you must act swiftly to prevent costly damage. Romney Pest Control is a professional extermination service that uses proactive approaches to get rid of rat infestations and keep them from coming back.
From baits and traps to complete exclusion, our company offers prompt, dependable, and effective customized pest control plans tailored specifically for your needs. So rest assured, you can depend on us to make your property rodent-free once and for all.
