Pests come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are small and annoying. Others are large and can bite through concrete. Today we will be focusing on one pest that doesn’t just chew through concrete and other hard materials but also causes tremendous problems for property owners around Plano. We are talking about roof rats. These invading rodents are the last creatures you want to find inside your home or business. To help you keep roof rats outside where they belong, here is everything you need to know.

Roof Rats Are Dexterous

Roof rats were not named for the way they crawl but rather for their climbing abilities. These pests are thin and agile. They use these features to scale the exterior of buildings finding footholds on ledges, gutter drains, and siding. Once on roofs, roof rats look for entry points to get indoors. This is just one of the many ways these pests sneak their way into area homes and businesses.

Roof Rats Breed Fast

One of the biggest problems with roof rats is how fast they reproduce. A single female roof rat has four to six litters per year. Each one of these litters consists of six to eight young. This is scary enough without considering that newborn roof rats sexually mature in 8 to 12 weeks. The only thing that limits these pests in how fast they are able to reproduce is how much food and water they have access to.

Roof Rats Are Destructive

There are two ways roof rats destroy properties. The first is with their sharp, constantly growing teeth. They wear down these front incisors by gnawing on things like the legs of furniture, walls, and fixtures inside wall voids. The second way roof rats damage property is by tearing up insulation, books, and fabric. They do this to gather resources for nest building.

Roof Rats Are Dangerous

Rodents in general are dangerous. Roof rats are no exception. These furry pests regularly crawl through filthy areas and consume bacteria-covered items like rotting food and dead animals. They then carry disease-causing organisms throughout the homes they infest spreading them over surfaces and accessible food. Some of the most common diseases people pick up from these pests include salmonellosis and hantavirus.

Roof Rats Are Preventable

One good thing about roof rats is that they are preventable if you know what to do. To help you keep these pests out of your home or business, here are some things our experts recommend you start doing:

Identify cracks and gaps in your home or business’s exterior foundation. Seal these entry points off using a caulking gun or some liquid cement.
Make sure your screening, weatherstripping, and door sweeps are in good condition.
Reduce clutter and clean up debris from around your yard and property.
Keep your home or business as clean and tidy as possible.
Store food away inside airtight containers.
Address moisture problems in and around your home or business. This includes fixing leaky pipes, using a dehumidifier, and repairing damage to gutters.

Why You Need a Professional To Handle Your Property's Roof Rats

The longer roof rats are around the more problems they cause. To rid your Plano home or business of these rodent invaders, hire the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite. We have the advanced tools and equipment needed to effectively capture and remove rodents from properties. All you have to do is let us know when to come over. We will send one of our friendly technicians your way with a quick solution to your rodent problems.