Rats are very destructive neighbors. They bring damage to property, transmit several nasty diseases, and wreak havoc on households in general. These creatures chew on private properties, like your furniture, walls, books, papers, electric wirings, and gas tubes. They do not choose whether you live in a great big mansion, or a small house with one bedroom, if you have what they want, they are going to get them.
Rats can transmit deadly diseases as well. They are capable of giving you deadly diseases like leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, salmonella, cholera, murine typhus, and plague.
Another problem with rats is that they reproduce rapidly, so by the time you discover you have a rat infestation, it will probably be too late. If you react too late, it would be very difficult to eradicate them.
To avoid being in such a predicament, you should be familiar with rats, their behaviors, diet, and favorite places to hide. In this article, the best of all the Greenville SC pest exterminators, Go-Forth Home Services, would like to help you with your rat infestation problems, if any. For some tips and tricks on how to get rid of rats, read on.
Overview
Rats are medium-sized rodents that look like the common house mouse. The biggest difference, though not the only one, is their size. Rats have longer bodies, longer tails, and longer legs.
There are two widely known species of rats in the United States: the black and the brown rats. The black rats are the common house rats that are pests inside households. They are also known to be pests of agriculture. The size of an adult black rat ranges from 5 inches to 7.2 inches while weighing around 75 to 230 grams. Rats are omnivores; they are choosy as to what to eat.
In agriculture, farmers hate them because rats feed on their crops. Rats can also thrive in agricultural areas like crop fields and barns.
On the other hand, brown rats are about 11 inches in length, much larger than the black rats. They weigh up to 17 oz. They are nocturnal, and like the black rat, they eat almost anything.
Rats can live for 20 days without drinking any water. They get their hydration requirements from the food they eat. And being omnivores, they would not have any problems finding food that they can eat.
Rats have incisors that are constantly growing. Because of this, they are always in need of something to chew on. Chewing on something stops the growth of their incisors.
Intelligent Creatures
Rats are highly intelligent, with great, sharp memories. They easily learn of new trails, and would likely avoid trails that they find dangerous. They do not forget. They are also very inquisitive but very cautious, but once they sense danger they quickly run away to avoid any confrontation.
Social Behavior
Rats are highly social creatures. They live in one nest and in groups. When they sleep, they sleep cuddled next to each other. They play a lot. It has been observed by scientists that rats laugh while they play When they are left alone, they get lonely. They also feel depressed when they lose a loved one. They feel both happiness and sadness. Rats eat a lot; eating is their favorite activity.
Another activity rats love to engage in is mating. Rats have thrived despite all efforts to exterminate them because they can reproduce quickly. A rat that is already 5 weeks old can already reproduce. It can reproduce every three weeks and can do so for two years.
Rats are very dangerous to have around because they transmit deadly diseases. For this reason, we cannot cohabitate with them. That is why it is very important to choose the best pest control experts to eradicate them.
Difference Between Rats & Mice
Aside from their size—rats are bigger than mice—rats and mice differ in behavior. Rats are cautious. When they find new things in the path that they normally take, they avoid them. It would take some time for the rats to get used to them. Mice, on the other hand, are very curious and are happy-go-lucky. They like to investigate.
These behaviors should give you an idea of how to set up traps for both. Unset traps are good for rats, while eventually setting up traps when rats are already familiar with them. As for mice, it is better to place traps where they usually pass through, usually beside walls.
Rats prey on mice. They kill and eat mice, so mice avoid them like the plague.
How Rats Move Around
Rats like to live in sewers, where the environment is damp and cold. They would occasionally go out to forage for food, normally at night since they are nocturnal creatures. Their search for food leads them to garbage bins, the trash that has been carelessly thrown around, and inside our houses.
Rats enter our house through holes, openings, and cracks. Rats have very flexible bones; they can enter a hole as small as ½ inch in diameter. If the hole is not big enough, they can chew on it until it is big enough for them to squeeze in.
They are in the sewers because they are excellent swimmers. They can swim through the waters and can enter houses and buildings by swimming through the drains or toilets.
Rats pass through the same paths, and usually beside walls because they do not see well; walls are used as guides. They do not go past 300 feet of their nests.
How Destructive Are Rats?
Rats are terrible pests to have, we cannot overemphasize that. For one, they can destroy your belongings. Rats have constantly growing incisors, and in order to prevent it from growing any further, they will have to chew on things. This is why it is normal to find damaged books, cardboard, papers, electric wirings, and gas pipes when rats are around. Their penchant for chewing on gas pipes and electric wirings makes them a fire hazard.
Another thing that makes them terrible is that they transmit several nasty diseases by contaminating our food and water through their droppings, urine, saliva, and vomit. The diseases they are known to transmit include leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and Lymphocytic choriomeningitis. These diseases, if not treated, can cause death to the patient.
As you can see, they damage property, steal your food, and transmit diseases; all while not paying rent!
If you are a business owner, rats are your worst nightmare especially if you are involved in food manufacturing or restaurant business. Their presence alone can damage your business’s reputation and even lead to its closure. Their effects are magnified on social media; news spreads fast so you have to be careful as a business owner. Before you know it, pictures of rats in your kitchen or dining area are splashed all over the internet. Be vigilant not only of rats but of other pests like cockroaches and flies as well.
Ways to Control Rats
Now that we have established all the bad things they can do, it is time to stop them dead in their tracks. Here are some tips to do just that:
- Inspect your house or business establishment for holes or cracks. Seal them off by caulking. Rats can squeeze in a hole as small as half an inch because of their flexible bone structure. Small holes and cracks can be used as their entry points.
- Put a lid on your trash can; dispose of your garbage regularly. Rats are always looking for food, and to them, your trash is a rich source of food.
- Store your food inside sealed containers to keep them out of the reach of rats.
- Why not keep a cat as a pet? Cats can help deter rats from invading your home.
- Keep your house clean. Sweep and mop the floors; vacuum carpets and furniture; wipe off drink spills and food debris.
These are simple steps you can follow, and the best thing is that you do not have to spend on anything. Of course, you will always need a broom, a mop, and a vacuum cleaner regardless. However, if you are overwhelmed with too many rats in your house, you can ask for professional help. Naturally, you want only the best. For the trusted exterminators in Greenville since 1959, call Go-Forth Home Services.
What Go-Forth Home Services Can Do for You
Go-Forth Home Services is a well-known service provider of pest control. It is a family-owned company that is recognized for its excellent service. They have a team of well-trained, highly skilled technicians with excellent experience in handling all kinds of pests. Whether you have rats, mice, roaches, mosquitoes, flies, or other types of pests, Go-Forth Home Services will offer you solutions on how to exterminate them.
Have a pest-free household. For more information or to request a free quote, call Go-Forth Home Services now!