How Do I Get Rid Of Rats In My Home Or Business?

The public perception of rats is quite mixed. Some people keep them as pets while others are disgusted by them. One thing is for sure, the rats that infiltrate your home aren’t the cute and cuddly creatures you see in movies or TV shows. Rats that invade your home or business are feral, dangerous, threaten the safety of your property and pose a health risk to those inside. That’s why, if you’re dealing with these unwelcome visitors, you need to know how to get rid of rats- fast! Read on to learn how.

Sewer Rats: This species of rat goes by many names: Norway, street, common, Parisian, Hanover, and wharf. They are known for having brown fur with lighter-colored feet and underbellies. Their tails are also noticeably shorter than their bodies. Originating in Asia thousands of years ago, this world-traveled rodent seeks out environments with water.

Roof Rats: Roof rats have black or gray fur with hairless ears and tails that are distinctly longer than their bodies. Additionally, roof rats have narrow, long faces. It is also known as a ship rat or house rat. While the Norway rat is comfortable in the water, the roof rat will avoid it. Roof rats prefer to climb rather than swim. Like the sewer rat, the roof rat is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia.

Whether you’re dealing with sewer rats or roof rats you can take some common measures in preventing their entry into your home. Superior Spray’s tips and tricks for getting rid of and preventing rats are:

• Block Entry Points – The first step is to stop them from even getting inside. Rats gain access through small – sometimes tiny – holes in your home, shed, business, office, etc. We recommend sealing all holes or gaps with silicone caulk. Also make sure you have screens on your windows, the correct weatherstriping on your doors, and that your roof vents have rodent covers. 
  
  
• Maintain Your Yard – Rats will hide out in debris and overgrowth. Keeping a well-maintained yard will provide them with fewer hiding places. Roof rats will use overhanging or long tree branches to get onto or into homes. Sewer rats will hide in gardens and enjoy the privacy of tall grass close to homes. 
  
  
• Hide Food Sources – If you remove or properly seal food sources then you’ll be significantly less likely to attract rats. Sewer rats love fruits and vegetables. Keeping your garden clear of ripened plants and storing all food items—including pet food—in sealed containers are great ways to deter sewer rats. Roof rats enjoy seeds, nuts, berries, and insects. They’re particularly fond of beetles and cockroaches. Being on a pest control plan to eradicate some of their preferred meals can deter them entering all together. 
  
  
• Contact A Pest Professional – Of course, the best way to deal with roof rats and sewer rats is by contacting a pest control professional like those at Superior Spray Service. We put measures in place to protect your home or business from being infiltrated by rodents. In the event that rats have already entered your property, we can remove them and enact exclusion techniques to make sure they don’t get back inside.

As mentioned earlier, rats pose a safety risk to your property. They can gnaw through insulation and electrical wiring, leading to dangerous sparks, fires and smoke. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that rats can spread dozens of diseases including salmonellosis, Hantavirus, leptospirosis, tularemia, fever or even plague. Rats also spread illnesses via bites or contact with their urine, saliva, or feces; which by the way they are ALWAYS excreting. They carry ticks, fleas, and mites that can make you and your pets sick as well. What’s more? Lyme disease, tick fever, west Nile, typhus, and more are also transmitted by rodents!

Superior Spray knows you want to live a happy, healthy, and rodent-free life. If you are located in Lakeland, Tampa, Orlando, Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Navarre or the surrounding areas and are having issues with rodents call (833) 682-0700 or contact us here.