Rats can dig burrows and gnaw through wood, which can impact the stability of your home. They've been known to destroy wiring, which can be a fire risk, and they can spread bacteria. So, even if you don't really mind rats, it's not a great idea to let them take over your home or garden.
Where Are Rats Likely To Be Living?
Rats tend to enter homes because they are looking for food and shelter. They tend to favour cosy spaces that are out of sight and hard to reach, if possible. In homes, rats can be found in roof spaces and tucked into insulation. They may also nest behind heat-producing kitchen appliances and can also make their way into cavity walls and crawlspaces. Sometimes rats will build their homes in your garden and enter your house frequently in search of food. You may find rats under decking, in sheds or garages, in dense vegetation and even in drains, particularly if drain covers are damaged.
What Are The Signs Of Rats In Your House?
There are a number of tell-tale signs left by rats. Firstly, they produce a lot of droppings each day, so be on the lookout for clusters of brown, oval-shaped droppings, particularly near food sources. They also leave rub marks along baseboards and the bottom of doors. Rub marks are smudges of grease from rats' fur that get left behind when they repeatedly brush up against a surface. Rats use rub marks to help them navigate, as they have poor eyesight. Rats can be pretty noisy at night, so you may hear them scurrying around and scratching in roof spaces and walls. Gnaw marks are also common, so check the woodwork in your house for damage.
How Are Rats Eradicated?
There are a few ways to deal with rats in your home and garden. When you call in a pest inspection company, they will first try to establish where the nesting site is, as this will enable them to ensure they deal with every rat. Catch-and-release traps can be used, but you should be aware that using this method can take substantially longer than using kill methods, such as bait traps and rodenticides. The pest control company will also locate the entry points rats used to get into your home and provide advice on how you can make your property less accessible and less attractive to rats.
If you notice any of the common signs of rats mentioned above, contact a local rat control company to come to your home and carry out an inspection.
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