Maybe you’ve seen them – a flash of gray or black darting in the corner of your vision. Other times, you can see the signs they leave behind, such as oily marks or droppings, or maybe you can hear them scratching and scurrying in the walls. One thing is for certain: you’ve got rats!
Don’t panic. The first thing to do is to contact rat removal experts, who are professionals specializing in waging warfare against rodent invasions. However, to put your mind at ease, there are some steps you can take in order to prevent recurring infestation, and if needed, there are steps to take for actual rat extermination. It’s a lot like home security systems – no system is ever 100% impenetrable, but all you really have to do is make your house a less desirable target than other houses nearby.
Pre-emptive Strike
Utilizing small amounts of preventative measures can save time, money, and effort in the long run, and is a smart component of any house maintenance routine. Some of the steps you, or rat removal experts, can take are:
- Checking the house for small openings where plumbing or other utilities enter and sealing them
- Inspecting doors, windows, and screens for small openings
- Cleaning the house, removing paper material that can be used for nests
- Removing excess food or crumbs that act as an inviting temptation for rodents
- Inspecting roofs, attics, or other hard to access areas for signs of infestation
However, many people don’t notice these signs until it is too late. By that point, you will most likely require the help of pest control or removal experts. Finding these dark pellets or nests is a significant health hazard, as mice droppings can contain toxic bacteria like Hantavirus. This family of viruses causes serious and potentially lethal diseases and is commonly spread through human contact with mice, rats, or other rodent feces.
This is why it is of the utmost importance to diligently watch out for the signs of rodent infestation. They may be cute sometimes, but the health and safety hazard they represent, especially to the most vulnerable among us, like infants and the elderly, is not worth the ease of “looking the other way” if you notice signs of mice or rats. Quick and precise rat removal operations can nip the problem in the bud and will help ensure the safety of your family and other loved ones.
Removing Rats
While the first sign of rats may bring a sense of shame, it is important to note that rats are more common than one may think, and they are not necessarily a sign of any wrongdoing. Rather, even when preventative measures are taken, as mentioned above, rats can still find a way to sneak in and infest even the cleanest living space. That is why it is important to hire the right people for the job who understand what you are going through when it comes to the removal of rats, whether it be in your home, business, or property.
In areas like Southern California, the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the roof rat (Rattus rattus) are common and can infest different spaces. Professional rat removal companies can provide actual rat extermination processes when all preventative measures have failed.
Companies like American Rat Control Inc., for example, use exterior control programs that promptly and permanently remove rats from outdoor areas.
Generally, these companies come to the property to inspect the rat issue first, give you an estimate, and then implement a plan and service to control the unwanted creatures.
Usually the plan entails actual installation of steel tamper resistant bait stations – however, do not worry – these are specifically meant to target the rats themselves and protect you and non-target animals. These types of systems are approved by the EPA and are largely successful.
Roaming Rats
While you may think that rats outside your home are not bothersome, the truth is there can be many consequences when allowing rats to roam your property, especially when it becomes an infestation issue. Rats commonly raid birds’ nests, killing the eggs, as well as chew on wires of equipment in your yard. They truly love chewing and may destroy your property or furniture. They also tend to urinate heavily, which could have an awful stench and seep into items like food.
Ultimately, it is important to take preventative measures to keep rats at bay. However, sometimes those fail, and professional companies can come in and help you with actual extermination services. There is no shame in having a rat infestation issue, especially in certain areas of the United States like Southern California. However, it is important to do what is right for you and your loved ones and seek professionals to examine and take care of the issue as soon as possible.
