Rats are one of the most common home-invading pests around the country, and this includes the Dallas area. While you might not think rats are that bad of a pest outside of bigger cities, they can be a big problem in suburban and rural areas.
Rats can be confused for mice as baby rats can be about the same size. However, Norway rats have shorter, thicker tails, blunter noses, and smaller ears than mice do. Norway(brown) rats are usually a brown-grey color.
What You Need To Know About Rat Behavior
Norway rats are a species usually found near ground level as they aren’t very good at climbing and are also much less agile than mice. This is why you’ll usually find them in crawl spaces or basements, but they may expand into attics and other floors of a building if the infestation grows large enough.
It’s important to understand that rats usually come into a home in search of food sources and shelter, so they are especially attracted to homes that are easy to access and have food sources that rodents can smell.
One interesting fact about rats is that they are mostly dependent on humans. They need the easy resources that humans provide for them, so they have learned how to use proximity to humans to their advantage.
Rats Are More Dangerous Than You Might Think
While some people don’t mind rats or other rodents and even find them cute, rats are not safe to have around your property. There are many risks associated with Norway rats as they can damage property and pose health problems. Here is the list of the many dangers rats can cause:
- They have a need to constantly gnaw on things which means they can damage all kinds of material including drywall, plastic, and leather.
- They can chew through wiring and plumbing.
- Rats are known to spread many diseases including hantavirus and salmonella.
- In rare cases, they may bite.
- Their fur and droppings can cause respiratory problems.
- They can also carry and spread parasites.
Five Rat-Prevention Steps
Because of the many serious problems that rats can cause for you and others around you, taking steps to prevent them is important. It can be difficult to completely prevent rats because they can slip through holes the size of a quarter, but here are some things you can do that may help prevent them from getting in.
- Keep food sealed in airtight containers.
- Store pet food indoors in sealed containers.
- Keep kitchen and food storage areas clean.
- Regularly take out the trash.
- Remove access points by fixing broken screens in doors and windows.
What’s The Safest Way To Get Rid Of Rats?
Rats are unsanitary pests to have running around your Dallas home and yard. It’s not worth putting your health and the health of your loved ones at risk by ignoring a rat infestation. The experts at Romney Pest Control have the expertise needed to remove rat and other rodent infestations quickly and effectively.
Our rodent control programs use the latest rodent removal options. As a company known for our customer services and personalized pest control options, we can handle any rodent infestation in a way that works for you. To learn more and get your free quote, give us a call today.
