Rat Control 101: A Complete Guide For Sulfur Springs Property Owners

Rat removal isn’t something you can tackle by yourself, but fortunately, you’re about to get the lowdown on professional rat control and rat prevention methods that really work. 

More than that, this article will explain the essentials of rat behavior and rat-borne diseases so that you can properly protect your home against annoying and potentially dangerous rodents both now and well into the future. 

This is your complete guide to rat control in the Sulfur Springs area. Thanks for joining us. 

Understanding Rat Behavior: Insights For Effective Rat Control

Rats aren’t difficult to understand, and understanding their behavior is the foundation of effective rat control. One of the most important things to know is that rats are nocturnal. They’re most likely to be active at night, and the lack of light isn’t an issue since they rely heavily on smell. 

When active, rats are almost always searching for food, and if they see an opportunity to gain access to some of your food, they’ll take it, even if they have to chew through the packaging to get what they want. 

Of course, rats also want shelter. They like to build nests out of papery or plant-like materials and prefer to build nests in dark, enclosed spaces. 

All of these behaviors culminate in clues that point to the presence of rats in your house. Signs of rats in the house include dampened running noises, especially inside walls or in the attic, rat droppings, new holes in floors or walls, and damage to food packaging. 

Rat-Borne Diseases: Common Illnesses Transmitted By Rats

We want to briefly touch on some of the diseases rats carry so that you can be adequately prepared and know exactly what risks rats bring to your home.  

Rats carry many diseases that can affect humans, such as monkeypox, Lassa Fever, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. If you notice a sudden change in your health symptoms following direct contact with rats or during an active rat infestation, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

The real danger here comes from rats contaminating various surfaces inside your home or even contaminating foods without your knowledge; this is why it’s so important to stay alert to the possibility of a rat infestation and take action if you suspect an infestation in or near your home.  

Rat Prevention: Simple Measures To Keep Rats Out

Let’s turn now to the subject of how to keep rats away. Once again, an understanding of rat behavior informs prevention efforts. Limiting factors that attract rats and preventing entry to your house will make them far less likely to nest nearby. Try these preventative measures:

• Store firewood as far away from your house as possible.

• Make sure your garbage cans close tightly and stay closed overnight. 

• Remove any sources of standing water. 

• Close any small gaps in exterior walls or foundations. 

• Remove debris from your yard and the area around your home. 

• Never leave food out for extended periods.   

These are simple steps, but they go a long way when it comes to rat prevention. 

Professional Rat Control: The Most Effective Elimination Solution

Getting rid of rats is a complicated and frustrating process, at least for the DIY-er. For experts,  it’s a matter of routine. 

Partnering with a reliable pest control service in your area remains the most effective way to deal with a rat problem in or around your home. It’s also a much safer method than trying to trap or control rats all on your own. 

We can help at Albermarle Termite & Pest Control if you need rat removal services. Feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience.