Rat Infestation Signs, Solutions

Rat InfestationRat Infestation: You May Not Know It Exists

Rats are the root cause for destruction and contamination in the home and business; able to increase their colonies with 20 pups through their lifetime. Credits: Articles Life » Tips For Atlanta Rat Control

How is it possible to have a rat infestation in your home and not even know it?

Rats are very secretive. Normally rats are most active at night and  it can be hard to identify their entry point into your home. Here’s some help identifying a rat infestation. 

Norway Rats Pest ControlOutdoor Signs of a Rat Infestation

Tell-tale tunnels through bushes in the garden are a sign of rats around the home. Rats create burrows in gardens, especially in compost heaps or under sheds. Rats will also build nests under garden decking. 

Although they may not have gained access to your house, damage and infection can still occur as a result of outdoor infestation. Deter rodent activity from your home by sealing rubbish in containers and don’t overfeed birds or place bird food on the ground which is easily accessible to rodents. Credits: Signs Of A Rat Infestation | deBugged – Rentokil

Credits: Fed Up With Rodent Infestation, NY Man Puts Up “RAT CROSSING

Video of a Rat Infestation in a Community Garden

The culprit, quite possibly a person feeding the birds!

Norway Rats Pest ControlIndoor Signs of a Rat Infestation

Rats use defined, regular routes to move around houses. With bad eyesight, they rely on sensitive hairs to feel their way and this continual contact with surfaces causes grease to rub off their fur leaving behind tell-tale ‘smear marks’ which are most often found along skirting boards or at the entrance of holes. Mice also urinate at smear mark points, causing a characteristic musty smell.

 Credits: Signs Of A Rat Infestation | deBugged – Rentokil

Rat InfestationThe typical evidence to look for in your home is:

  • Scratching – noises in walls, under the floor or under decking as rats scurry around looking for food.
  • Droppings – rats leave dark, tapered (sausage shaped) droppings about 1 – 2cm long.
  • Distinctive smell – rats leave an ammonia-like smell that will be particularly strong in enclosed areas such as under cupboards, in loft spaces, garages, sheds or under decking.
  • Damage – rats have teeth that grow continuously and gnaw on wood, plastic and even mild steel to keep them trim. Rats can even cause fires by chewing through cables and wiring.
  • Ripped food packaging – rats will tear open all types of packaging to find food which may leave teeth marks.
  • Nests – built in warm, hidden places using shredded material such as newspaper, plastic and fabrics. Nests will often contain young.

Credits: Signs Of A Rat Infestation | deBugged – Rentokil

Rat Infestation: How Rats Get Into Your Home

If there is a small opening to your home, rats can easily squeeze through even the tightest of gaps. They are well known to get into loft spaces or kitchens in order to look for food. Many rat infestation cases report gnawing of boxes, carpets and other things, which leave behind a trail of debris. Warehouses in particular can suffer from large infestations but it is still a common problem within the home. Credits: Everything You Need to Know About Rat Infestation | Cross Pest

Prevent Rat Infestation by Sealing Them Out

To ensure that adequate ventilation is maintained, you should secure a solid steel gauze across holes and seal cracks that the pests will not be able to squeeze or gnaw through. Move all debris and potential nesting spots away from the living area to prevent making your living space an appealing option for colonies. Credits: Articles Life » Tips For Atlanta Rat Control

Rat Infestation: A Dangerous Problem

Rats transmit diseases. If food and water sources are contaminated by urine and faeces it can cause a number of illnesses to humans. the most prominent are types of food poisoning, including Salmonella, whereby the rat will transmit these specific micro-organisms. The best thing to do if you think you have a rat infestation is to avoid eating anything from opened boxes or packets, or anything you notice that has hole marks in it. Credits: Everything You Need to Know About Rat Infestation | Cross Pest 

If You Think You Might Have a Rat Infestation In Your Home…

Call in a licensed professional.

Call ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378