If you’re a home or business owner in Plano, you probably have a lot to do daily. It’s easy to forget about pest remediation, though it’s extremely important. Insects and creatures could diminish the very property you’re busy managing. They can ruin the building, or what’s inside of it. Critters can injure your loved ones, customers, or employees. Additionally, they make folks sick with all the germs they carry. Rats are some of the most destructive pests to plague residents.
Rats are prolific creatures. They can reproduce promptly and get indoors in an instant. The fact that they’re hard to kill makes it even more concerning if they’re around. Their presence is almost inevitable because they rely on us for resources to survive. Learn how you can get ahead of them with All-Safe Pest & Termite.
Where Do Rats Come From? What Are the Risks?
Roof rats are among the rodents prevailing in the Plano area. You can’t miss them, as they are a great 15 inches long or more. Their scaly tails can be just as lengthy. They have black or brown fur, big eyes and ears, and pointed noses.
Living up to their given name, roof rats stay well above ground. For instance, you’re liable to see them going across tree branches and power-lines. Naturally, they’ll be on top of buildings and homes too. If they decide they want to be indoors, they’ll crawl through a hole in vents, shingles, or foundations. While they are sizable, they only need an opening ½ of an inch in diameter. If things get tough for them, they’ll chew a gap wider. Roof rats are usually found in attics, garages, or rafters. Signs of infestation are:
- Finding fecal turds
- Seeing really greasy rub marks on walls
- Discovering their footprints
- Noticing squeaking and scratching noises behind walls
- Seeing roof rats in daylight, as nighttime is their activity period
Rats of all kinds are a danger to your health. Homes and businesses will have contaminated food or surfaces with the presence of these vermin. First off, they live in gross places, like sewers and trash dumpsters. Even if they dwelled in a palace, they have parasites in their hairs. Their urine, feces, and saliva are practically made up of bacteria. It would arguably be a miracle if humans don’t develop diseases such as tularemia, salmonella, and hantavirus with these pests in their domain. Rats are also known for damaging an assortment of items, including clothes, wires, piping, and structures with their persistent gnawing and biting on cables could start a fire.
How Can Rats Be Prevented?
Considering the harm rats can do, you’ll need to take preventative measures. It’s better to thwart them in advance than have to rectify an infestation:
- Use caulk, steel wool, or material rats can’t bite through to seal cracks and crevices. Concentrate on foundations, windows, doors, roof and utility lines, and vents.
- Moisture issues and leaks need to be repaired at once.
- Always put all food and trash in canisters with tight lids.
- Get debris off the lawn, and trim the grass and greenery often.
- Be sure to distance flowers and plants from exterior doors.
- Wash out your gutters on a regular basis.
- Try to cut down on clutter in and out of the home.
What Can All-Safe Pest & Termite Do About Rats?
All-Safe Pest & Termite uses high-quality traps, baits, and other low-toxicity products to remove living rats and dismantle nests. Our technicians are skilled and will apply treatments in a safe manner. We understand that getting rid of these creatures is a priority, so we offer fast response times and plans that are budget sensitive. It’s one reason why we’ve successfully been in operation for more than 30 years. Call us today for a free estimate!