It is in a rat's nature to be problematic; they don't even have to try. Just by living their lives, rats cause issues. They go into places they shouldn't, they consume things that are not good for them, and they chew on anything and everything that comes across their path. To make matters worse, rats are also one of the most invasive pests in the world. If you are worried about these furry invaders and want to know how to get rodents out of your home, here are three things you should know about rats.
Rats Are Invasive Pests
Rats are intelligent creatures, so intelligent that they understand that our homes are more comfortable than the wild. To get into a house, rats will use all of the tools in their arsenal. They will compact their bodies to squeeze through small holes. They will use their strong teeth to chew through wooden walls, aluminum paneling, and, on occasion, concrete. Some species of rats will even jump from tree branches onto the roof of your home. As long as the final outcome gains them access to your house, rats will do practically anything.
Rats Are Dangerous
The fact that people keep rats as pets makes it hard to imagine that they could also be dangerous. Truthfully, they wouldn't be if they didn't make such bad decisions. A typical rat will spend a good amount of its life around filthy, disease-ridden areas. By consuming garbage and crawling through trash and sewers, rats pick up several disease-causing organisms. Some of the most common diseases rats spread include salmonellosis, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and choriomeningitis.
Rats were not directly responsible for the Black Death, but they played a huge role in spreading it. If you didn't know, it was the fleas rats carried that spread this horrific disease. Even today, rats still carry fleas and ticks into homes. These small parasitic pests, like rats, bring their own list of dangerous diseases and are a threat to both humans and animals alike.
Rats Are Preventable
Your home is attractive to rats and provides them with everything they could ever need to be comfortable. It has wall voids for nest building, pantries filled with easily accessible food, plumbing, fixtures supplying them with water, and a temperature-controlled living space that will never be too hot or cold like it gets outdoors. The only factor that will determine if rats will or will not invade your home is whether or not you choose to take action now.
To keep rodents off your South Pasadena property, use the following prevention tips:
- Trim back bushes and tree branches at least five feet from your home's exterior.
- Store firewood and lumber at least 30 feet from the walls of your home.
- Remove clutter and debris from around your property.
- Eliminate sources of water in and around your home.
- Make sure your gutters are in good working order.
- Fill in gaps and cracks in your home's exterior using fine copper wire and caulk.
- Repair or replace damaged or improperly installed weatherstripping, door sweeps, window and door screens, paneling, and shingles.
- Thoroughly clean your home at least once a week and limit the rooms where you eat to just one or two.
- Invest in heavy-duty storage containers for leftovers and to repack food stored in plastic bags or cardboard boxes.
- Make sure all of your trash cans have tight-fitting rodent-proof lids.
For additional help preventing rats, or to have a current infestation dealt with quickly, contact the residential and commercial pest professionals at Kat's Pest Solutions. Our team is trained in how to effectively and safely handle rodent infestations and would be happy to help you with any problems you are having.
Learn more about our rodent control services in Los Angeles and find out how we protect South Pasadena properties from rodents.