Rat Bites: Dangers, Symptoms & Prevention

Rats are commonly found wherever humans live, especially in communities with robust sewer systems. The rodents have prominent front teeth that are powerful enough to bite through wood, aluminum, and concrete. Wild rats are not used to human contact and will bite when handled or when people attempt to feed them by hand. The nocturnal creatures have also been known to bite sleeping people, particularly children and infants, on exposed body parts such as fingers, hands, toes and the face when foraging for food.

Symptoms & Dangers of Rat Bites

Immediate symptoms of rat bites include pain, redness, and even bleeding. Rats’ incisors are strong and usually break skin. In these cases, humans are at risk of contracting serious illnesses such as typhus, leptospirosis, plague, and rat-bite fever. Symptoms of rat-bite fever can occur anywhere between three days and three weeks after the initial bite, even after the wound appears to have healed. Symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, sore muscles, aching joints, and bumpy rashes on hands and feet. The disease is usually treated with antibiotics, like penicillin, but can lead to deadly side effects like meningitis, pneumonia, heart problems, and abscesses of the internal organs if medical attention is not sought.

Prevention Rat Bites

The best way to protect yourself and your family from rat bites is to eliminate rat infestations as soon as they appear. Never approach, feed, or attempt to grab wild rats. Residents who have detected the presence of rats in or around their homes should contact the wildlife removal experts at Critter Control to eradicate the rodents.

Learn more about rat removal.

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   Steven Scalzo 
 2 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex. Very Efficient and Effective Service Outstanding service performed by Jamie at Critter Control.  She was very personable, professional, and knowledgeable on skunk removal.  She was able to safely remove the skunk from my property within 30 minutes as well as ensure that other areas of my home were safe from invasion by these critters.  I highly recommend Jamie Murphy with Critter Control.  Extremely satisfied with the service she provided.
  
 
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   toney cole 
 1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was impressive how the entire team worked with me until my squirrel situation was resolved. Great service, quick response to inquiries along with caring attitudes, knowledgeable and professional.  Because of Critter Control..All is well...thank you!
  
 
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   Polly Riggenbach 
 1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Critter Control did a great job evicting bats from our eaves and inside our walls. They were available to get the job started right away and get the two colonies of bats out of our house quickly. They were also kind enough to replace some light bulbs that we didn't have ladders high enough to reach their process.
  
 
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   Sam Barg 
 1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The wildlife technician, Hudson, has been very thorough with addressing the removal and prevention of bats. He’s friendly and thoughtful and I would highly recommend him.
  
 
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   Kerry Milligan 
 1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Joel does a great job and is super reliable. Always on time for our appointments or let’s me know well in advance if he’s running late. Terrific service.
  
 
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   Allen Baltimore 
 1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jay was awesome and knowledgeable explaining the process.
  
 
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   Mark Riggenbach 
 1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional and friendly.  and made sure they did the job right.
  
 
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   Deb Whiteman 
 1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jon from Critter Control did a great job explaining in a concise manner what the job entailed and answered all questions in a thorough manner.  I would recommend without hesitation.
  
 
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   Alexa Bearden 
 1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Awesome experience!! I needed bats to be relocated out of my attic and I was given a clear understanding of what they were going to do and everything was cleaned up and it looks great!
  
 
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   Sheryl Hauger 
 1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service! And customer service. Thanks