RATS!
One of the Most Prolific Rodents in the United States
Rats are some of the most common rodents in California and the United States. They can be found almost anywhere, from rural areas to urban neighborhoods. Rats can cause a lot of damage and pose serious health risks, so it is essential to learn how to identify them and take steps to manage their population. These rodents are typically brown or black with a grey underbelly, and they can grow up to 18 inches long from nose to tail. Rats are intelligent creatures that are known to be able to solve complex problems, and they have even been trained to perform basic tasks by researchers. Despite their intelligence, most people consider rats pests because of their destructive habits.
Life Cycle and Habits of Rats
Rats reproduce quickly and can have litters of up to twelve baby rats. Baby rats, or kittens, are born blind and deaf. They grow, and within two months, they can see and hear. At three months old, baby rats are fully grown and ready to start reproducing themselves.
Rats live for two to three years, but some rats have been known to live for five years. Rats are social creatures and live in groups of up to several hundred rats. These groups are called colonies or hordes.
Rats are intelligent animals and can be trained to do simple tricks. They have also been known to show empathy for other rats in distress.
Rats are nocturnal animals, which means they are most active at night. During the day, they sleep in their nests, which are usually located in dark, secluded places. At night, rats come out to forage for food.
They’re also known to be excellent swimmers and climbers, which makes them hard to get rid of once they’ve infested an area.
Rats are omnivorous creatures and will eat almost anything. They are particularly fond of cereal grains, nuts, and fruits. However, rats will also eat meat if they can find it.
Rats contaminate more food than they eat because of their habit of urinating and defecating wherever they go. It is one of the reasons why rats are so dangerous and why it is so essential to get rid of them if they invade your home or business.
Species of Rats
There are different species of rats in California, and each has its own unique set of characteristics.
Identify the Rodent Youve Been Seeing
The Damages and Health Risk Posed by Rats
Rats can be a real nuisance, and if one is not careful, they can cause severe damage to your home or business.
Rats are known to chew through just about anything, including electrical wiring. It can lead to some severe problems, including fires. Rats are responsible for a significant number of house fires each year.
Rats also like to gnaw on wood, which can cause structural damage to your home or business. If you have rats in your attic or crawlspace, they could be doing severe damage to the frame of your building without you even realizing it.
Rats are known to carry a variety of diseases that can be deadly to humans. Some of the most common diseases caused by rats include:
- Salmonellosis: This disease is caused by bacteria found in the feces of rats. It can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: This virus is transmitted through contact with rat urine or droppings. It causes severe respiratory illness and can be fatal.
- Leptospirosis: This disease is caused by bacteria found in the urine of rats. It can cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, and vomiting. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure and death.
- Plague: This disease is caused by bacteria found in the fleas of rats. It can cause fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches. If left untreated, it can lead to pneumonia and death.
- Remember: These diseases are the reason we as a society manage rats. You don't need to be scared or worried, just remember to report rats when you see them.
Rat Pest Control Services
Do you have a rat problem in and around your home?
If you see rats scurrying through your house or yard, or hear them scampering in the ceiling or on your roof, or if you find signs that rats leave in your home such as droppings or nests, then please call the experts at Killroy Pest Control right away! If a rat problem is left untreated, rat populations can multiply quickly! Our experience has shown that long-term successful rat control is much more effective if control measures are started early before rat numbers get too high.
Rats can eat and contaminate food and food containers, and they can cause damage to homes by gnawing on electrical wires and wooden structures and wall material, and they tear up insulation in walls and ceilings for their nests. Rats can transmit parasites, fleas, and diseases to pets and humans as well.
We highly recommend that you do NOT use traps or poisons in an attempt to control rats yourself. You may eliminate individual rats, but this will rarely, if ever, solve a rat problem.
Killroy will not just eliminate individual rats. Successful long-term rat control requires skilled and experienced experts who will inspect your property and take measures to improve sanitation and to rat-proof your structures and yard. Although rats look big, they can squeeze through very small holes and cracks in your home. A Killroy expert can identify and pinpoint rat entry points and will solve the problems that can contribute to future re-infestation.
Killroy Pest Control is a family-owned business and has successfully eliminated rats and other pests in homes, schools, and businesses in the greater South San Francisco Bay Area, Tri-Valley Areas, and Santa Cruz County since 1956. Please call Killroy right away for best results eliminating your rat problem!
How to Manage Rats
If there are rats in our home, we first do to figure out how they are getting in. Rats can squeeze through tiny openings, so it is essential to check for cracks and holes inside and outside the house. Once we have found all possible entry points, we seal them up with caulk or steel wool. It will prevent rats from getting in, but it will also deter other pests like mice and insects.
The next step in rat management is to remove any food sources that attract rats. If there is garbage or food waste left out, rats will be drawn to it. Be sure to keep all food stored in airtight containers and dispose off garbage properly. We should also avoid leaving pet food out overnight. If we have a bird feeder, it is best to move it away from our home. Removing these food sources will make our home less appealing to rats.
If we already have rats in your home, there are a few different ways to get rid of them. One option is to use rat traps. Rat traps can be baited with cheese or peanut butter and should be placed in areas where rats are active. Another option is to use rat poison, but a professional pest control company should only do this. Rat poison can be dangerous to humans and pets if not used correctly, so it is essential to leave this method to the experts.
The best way to prevent rats from returning is to keep our home clean and free of clutter. Be sure to store all food properly and dispose of garbage regularly. We should also seal up any cracks or holes that you find in our home. We can deter rats from making our home their own by taking these precautions.
Call 888-669-3460 today!
We are glad to answer any questions or schedule an appointment.
We provide commercial and residential pest control services in the South San Francisco Bay, Tri-Valley areas, and Santa Cruz County.
