Rats
What do rats look like?
Norway rats are the most common rat we deal with in our service area in South Carolina. Norway rats do not make for good climbers due to their heavy bodies. Norway rats are typically brown or gray with long, thick bodies that get up to 9.5 inches in length. Their tails get to be around 6 to 8 inches long. Norway rats have a blunt nose, small black eyes, and small ears.
We don’t deal with roof rats very much but they can be found in South Carolina. Roof rats will be dark brown or black with some gray hair throughout their fur. Their belly hair is lighter in color. Roof rats grow to between 6 and 8 inches in length with long thin bodies, pointed nose, large dark colored eyes, and large ears. Their tails grow to between 6 and 8 inches long and are scaly.
Having trouble with Rats?
Are rats dangerous?
Rats can be quite dangerous to people and property. Rats carry and spread many germs and diseases and are known to contaminate food sources and surfaces in homes with their feces, saliva, and urine. Most common diseases carried by rats are Hantavirus, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis, Dysentery, and Leptospirosis. The bacteria Salmonellosis, which causes vomiting and diarrhea, is commonly spread by rats and mice.
Rats may also carry parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. Besides health issues rats are known to cause significant physical damage to homes and businesses. Rats are known to chew through walls, pipes, wiring, clothing, furniture, flooring, insulation and more. Rats have caused fires, water damage, and even flooding.
Rat habitat.
Norway rats prefer damp areas with lots of greenery. While Norway rats would prefer a riverbank to make home they are commonly found living near humans and in urban settings. Norway rats tend to stay within 70 ft of their nesting area. Nests will be close to feeding areas. Norway rats may be found in damp crawlspaces, trash dumpster, open warehouses, and any other structure they feel protected and can find a food source in.
Roof rats live in colonies and prefer to nest in the upper areas of homes and buildings in attics and rafters. They can also be found in and around structures as well. Roof rats prefer covered, protected habitats. Roof rats are attracted to areas of dense vegetation and even fruit trees. Structures near woodpiles, dense shrubbery, and fruiting trees are more prone to infestations from roof rats.
How do I get rid of rats?
Getting rid of any rat infestation can be quite difficult to do on your own. Even knowing the right products to use, you still need to understand how to use them and where to use them along with needing to understand rodent behavior. These are things that pest control professionals spend hours and hours in class and real world situations to learn. The improper use of some rodent control products can actually lead to serious health risks and even death. Do not use professional pest control products from a DIY Pest Control place unless you know what you are doing.
How can I prevent rat problems at my home or business?
Start off with a routine maintenance pest program from a pest control expert like those at Walker Pest Management then follow these tips should help prevent any rat problems in your home.
- Seal up any cracks or openings in the foundation or exterior of your home or building structure.
- Make sure your chimney cap seals tightly on your homes chimney.
- Add tight fitting metal screen or mesh behind attic vents and louvers.
- Inspect roof line for any holes and repair if necessary.
- Keep tree limbs and vines trimmed away from the roof.
- Seal around windows and doors with caulking.
- Make sure door sweeps are in place on all doors including garage doors.
- Remove trash from your home regularly and place it in an outdoor trash can with a tight lid at least 20 ft from the structure.
If you suspect a rat problem contact Walker Pest Management for a free quote
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