Rats can be a major pest in any home, causing structural damage, gnawing on wires and pipes, and even spreading disease. It is important to take steps to prevent rats from entering your home and to quickly address any signs of infestation. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of keeping rats out of your home and provide tips on how to get rid of them quickly and effectively.
How to Identify a Rat Infestation
To get rid of rats, you must first identify that you have a problem. Here are a few signs of rats hiding in your home:
Droppings
The number one indicator that you have a rodent problem is seeing droppings. Rat droppings are often found around food containers, in drawers and cupboards, and under sinks. Rat droppings are easily identified because they are black or dark brown pellets, usually a little bigger than a grain of rice.
Nesting Material
Another indicator that rats make a home in your home is nesting material. In the same places you find their droppings, you may also find materials like shredded paper, dried plant material, and fabric scraps.
Rub Marks
Once established, rats become creatures of habit. They often take the same paths through and around your home when foraging and exploring. Because of this consistent movement, you can often find dark tracks of oil and dirt around baseboards, skirting, and across flooring.
Signs of Chewing
If it seems your food packaging has been chewed on or clawed at, it is a good indication that you have a rat problem.
Holes in the Wall or Floor
They won’t be the perfect half-circle you see in cartoons, but the idea came from real life. Rats will chew through anything to get to where they want to go, so if you see a hole in your wall or floor, it means that rats are making easy entrances into your home.
Stale Smells Coming from Hard-to-Reach Areas
Nobody wants to hear this, but if a foul smell is coming from somewhere hard to reach, like behind the wall, it is possible that an animal resided and died in that hard to reach space.
The Danger of DIY Rat Control
Homeowners in Charleston have many options for rat control, but the first option everyone needs to consider is working directly with a professional. DIY options might give you temporary relief, but true peace of mind comes from having your rat problem professionally managed. If you choose to DIY, here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- You might save money by doing it yourself.
- You’ll feel accomplished if you take care of the problem independently.
Cons
- You lack the expert knowledge professionals use to diagnose and treat an infestation.
- Some pest control products are dangerous without training, so the most potent and effective products are often only available to professionals.
- If you miss even a single rat, it can restart the infestation down the road, whereas professionals will ensure the job is finished.
- You must use your time and resources to track down and exterminate the infestation.
- Doing it wrong or using the wrong products can put your family and pets at risk.
How to Keep Them Out Once They’re Gone
Once you have exterminated the infestation, you want to ensure that it won’t happen again. A professional rodent removal expert will work with you to ensure your rat problem remains a thing of the past. Here are some steps and recommendations often considered by rodent removal professionals:
1. Seal up entry points in and outside the home. Look around for gaps and holes where rats can easily enter, keeping in mind that rats can squeeze themselves through a hole smaller than a dime.
2. Seal up all food in the home and keep food spills off the ground. Preventing an easy lunch gives rats less incentive to come into your home.
3. Set traps around the outside of the property. One way to stop a problem is to catch them before they can enter the house.
4. Keep your yard clean. Rodents don’t make a mad dash for your home; they sneak toward it to prevent themselves from being seen by predators. Things like tall grass or debris in your yard make for excellent hiding spaces as they trek toward the warm safety of your home.
Don’t Hesitate
If you think you have a rat infestation in Charleston, don’t hesitate to call Feather Fighters Wildlife Removal. The longer you wait, the higher the likelihood they will start breeding in your home. Having a rat problem is uncomfortable, but it is not the end of the world if you manage it quickly.