Would you ever own a rat as a pet? If so, why? Do you find them cute? Do you want to see them run around and play inside their cage? Do you want to hand feed them and film their most adorable moments? Now, assuming you would have a rat as a pet, let us ask you this. Would you ever buy a rat, bring it home, and then release it into your home like you would a cat or a dog? Absolutely not! Why? Because wild rats are pests. These troublesome rodents cannot keep themselves from chewing into wall voids, digging through trash, and causing homeowners stress. The kicker is, you don’t have to buy a rat to find one inside your home. To help you keep wild rats out of your Modesto home, we have some things you should know.
Which Rats Invade Area Properties?
Two species of rats live in Modesto and invade properties, roof rats and Norway rats. Here is a basic description and fact about each of these furry intruders.
Roof Rats: An adult roof rat is 16” long, including its body and tail, dark brown with black hairs intermixed into its coat, and sleeker than other species of rats. Often mistaken for mice, roof rats have a habit of climbing onto the roofs of homes and other artificial structures, hence their name.
Norway Rats: An adult Norway rat is 17” long, has a plump body, and is muddy brown with black hairs intermixed inside its coat and a grey underside. This slightly larger rodent is the most common home-invading rat in America and most other countries worldwide.
The Problems Rats Cause
Rats are known for being among the most problematic pests to exist. Not only are these furry invaders annoying with the noise they make, but they are also incredibly dangerous and destructive. What makes these pests dangerous is the number of disease-causing organisms they can carry. They spread sickness vectors over home surfaces, left-out food, and even inside boxes of stored food. Rats are destructive in that they regularly use their teeth to rip up insulation, clothing, and fabrics and gnaw through wood, plastic, furniture, vinyl siding, and even things like soft concrete and aluminum.
Some Strategies To Keep Rats Out
If you know anything about rats, you should know how to keep these pests out of your home. To start, here are a few great DIY prevention tips that will make your property less attractive and accessible to these pests.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation using a caulking gun or some liquid cement.
- Make sure your window/door screens are in good condition.
- Install door sweeps under all exterior doors leading out of your home.
- Keep your living areas as clean as possible and pick up food messes as they occur.
- Store leftover food inside airtight plastic, metal, or glass containers.
- Reduce the clutter in and around your home.
- Trim back tree branches and bushes at least five feet from your home’s exterior.
One Guaranteed Answer To Rat Problems
The moment rats break into your home; your problems are just about out of your control. To get these pests out of your living areas, your absolute best option is to get the experts at Peace of Mind Pest Control involved. We understand dangerous rats and have the industrial-grade traps and tools needed to remove them from area properties.
Contact us now to learn what home pest control options are available to you and find a detailed solution that is sure to handle your Modesto home’s rat problems.
