Rats are among the most destructive pests in your attic, walls, crawl space, and kitchen. Controlling a rat infestation is difficult for most homeowners because of their rapid reproduction, their natural avoidance of traps, and their pheromone trails that attract more rats.
Where Do Rats Hide in Your Home?
If rats are in your home, finding out exactly where they are is crucial. It is important to remember that rats are nocturnal and are therefore typically found in dark places. Attics are popular places for them to be found, as are your walls, since they can seclude themselves in the dark and nest within your insulation. They will also try to stay near a food source. Droppings in your pantry is a good indicator that there are rats nearby.
Signs of a Rat Infestation
1. Strange Smells & Sounds
Rats give off a powerful ammonia smell. They’re also very loud – making squeaking, scratching, and rustling noises as they move throughout your home.
Noticing either of these signs indicates that rats are in the building.
2. Droppings & Smears
Rats leave droppings behind as they move through your home. You may notice small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings along main rat pathways.
Since rats have poor eyesight, they also create and maintain established routes along the walls.
As they travel these routes, they leave grease smears and smudges along the walls.
3. Footprints
Think you might have a rat problem? Take a look into a seldom-used, dusty corner of your home. Rats often leave foot and tail marks in the places they travel.
Tip: If you’re unsure whether rats are around, sprinkle a fine layer of baking soda on the floor and check for fresh tracks in the morning.
4. Damage
Last but not least, rats will leave damage in their wake. They may chew through electrical cords, gnaw on furniture, storage containers, or paper, and eat food left out on the counter. As they do, they can leave droppings and urine throughout your home, increasing your risk of exposure to diseases.
Problems Rats in the Attic Cause
Why do these little critters love your attic so much? Rats enjoy calm, warm places with easy access to food, making your attic the ideal home for them. There is plenty for them to chew on, plus they have access to your attic insulation, which makes great nesting material. Rats can fit through holes the size of a nickel, so it may be hard to tell when they have entered. However, if not addressed promptly, they can cause significant harm to your home and your family’s health. The damage rats are known to have in your home, particularly your attic, includes:
- Damage to your personal belongings or stored goods
- Damage to your insulation can increase your electric bills
- Frayed wiring from their gnawing, creating a fire hazard
- Ruined ceiling below your attic and walls due to their urine and feces soaking in
- Exposure to harmful diseases like leptospirosis and rat-bite fever
- Irritating noises at night
4-Step Process for Rat Control
Inspection & Identification
We begin with a careful, top-to-bottom inspection of your property to identify signs of pest activity, nesting areas, and potential entry points. This thorough review helps us understand the scope of the problem and catch issues that might not be visible at first glance. Next, we determine precisely what type of rodent you’re dealing with and how widespread the issue is. Proper identification allows us to choose the most effective treatment, since every pest species requires a different strategy.
Customized Rat Trapping Plan
Rats naturally avoid new stimuli in their environment. Proper baiting and trapping take skill, experience, and training. Our rat control technicians can quickly and effectively control rats inside your home.
Exclusion and Prevention
If you ignore rat exclusions, you will be vulnerable to future infestations. Rats have already found their way inside, and if you don’t solve it, more rats will find those gaps. Our exclusion service blocks current and potential entry gaps, stopping rats from getting inside.
Restoration and Remediation
Once the rats are safely removed, we’ll get to cleaning up after the critters. Any messes they have left behind, we’ll take care of, even if it means having to re-do your attic’s insulation.
With Critter Control, every step of the process is built on expertise, accountability, and a commitment to keeping your home or business safe and comfortable.
The Critter Control® Difference
At Critter Control® of Sarasota, we understand how important it is to have a pest-free home, which is why we put so much effort into getting rid of them and preventing a future invasion. Our concern for our clients ensures they receive the best possible care for pest control.
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