Effective Rodent Control In Tampa: Tips And Techniques For A Rat-Free Home
Many Tampa homeowners deal with rodent infestations, and that needs to change. Urbanex provides comprehensive pest control in Tampa, including rodent control and exclusion, so your home is protected from these pests.
Clear Signs Of A Rat Infestation
Rats and mice are both rodents that infest Tampa homes. But what’s the difference? Rats are much bigger than mice, with their average body length (no tail) between 6 and 10 inches. Rats also have more elongated or oval-shaped bodies; mice are rounder.
There are two types of rats that you might find lurking around your home. They can look very similar to each other, but there are a few behavioral differences to set them apart. Roof rats and Norway rats are both brown with some black hairs mixed in. Norway rats prefer to live in basements and other areas close to the ground. Roof rats are more likely to be found in upper parts of buildings, such as in attics.
Besides seeing a rat, there are a few signs you can keep an eye out for. These include:
- Gnaw or teeth marks
- Small, capsule-shaped droppings
- Footprints
- Greasy rub marks on walls from the rats’ fur
- Damaged food products
- Noises in walls or attic
Whether you notice one sign or all of them, whether you’ve seen a rat or not, you need to have the infestation taken care of immediately.
Rats Around The Home Are A Health Hazard
Many problems go hand-in-hand with a rat infestation. The most visible issue is that rats can cause property damage from their chewing, scavenging, and nesting. Rodents have strong teeth that can chew through all kinds of materials, including drywall and electrical cables. You’ll also probably notice damage to food packaging in particular. One of the biggest reasons that rats enter homes is to find food. This leads to another issue: food contamination.
Rats are known to carry many diseases, and a lot of those are spread through rats’ contact with human food. Rats can be carriers of salmonellosis, jaundice, cowpox virus, tularemia, and rat-bite fever. They also sometimes bring extra pests with them, such as fleas and ticks.
Because rats can cause so many problems for your home and family, it’s essential that infestations are removed and treated as quickly as possible.
The Safe And Effective Way To Get Rid Of A Rat Infestation
You can find a lot of do-it-yourself rat control methods on the internet, but how effective are they really? In order to guarantee that a rodent infestation is totally gone, you need to be sure that every single rat is out of your house. Otherwise, any that are left will just rebuild the colony. It’s hard to be sure of this without the proper equipment and training. But if you call Urbanex, you can be confident in our rat control services in Tampa. We prioritize methods that we know will work and are safe to use around the home. And if the rats come back, so will we. Urbanex will get rid of rats from your Tampa home for good.
Effective Rodent Exclusion Methods To Prevent Rats
Once Urbanex has removed the rat infestation, you can—and should—follow these rat prevention tips to keep them from ever coming back:
- Keep firewood and piles of yard debris away from your home
- Seal any gaps or holes in the walls
- Eliminate sources of moisture
- Store food in sealed containers
- Properly dispose of trash and keep the receptacles clean
Piles of yard debris, firewood, and lumber can become nesting sites for rats outside. Then, if these piles are too close to your home, the rats can easily move inside. If you have firewood or other outdoor items, make sure they’re kept several feet away from your home.
Rats can squeeze into tight spaces, and they especially look for holes to hide in. Ensure you cover any hole or opening larger than a quarter.
Rats often enter homes looking for food and water. Leaky pipes can become a water source, and food that isn’t stored properly is a source of food. Plus, rodents are able to chew through plastic bags and cardboard boxes. It’s best to store food in solid, airtight containers so rats can’t get inside. And when you’re disposing of food waste, make sure it stays out of reach of hungry rats. You might need to install an animal-proof lid onto your trash can.
If you’re finding signs of rats, call Urbanex for help, and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Tampa.
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