Rats are among the most successful and adaptable mammals in the world. They can survive in a wide range of conditions and climates, and they can eat just about anything. This makes them especially difficult to control. Rats also reproduce quickly – a female rat is capable of producing up to six litters per year, with each litter containing up to 12 babies. Rats are often found close to humans, where they feed on garbage and other food sources that humans produce.
What do rats look like?
Rats are large rodents that weigh about 500 grams or 1 pound at adulthood. Adult rats have a tail that is usually around 6 to 8 inches long, and this long tail is used to help them balance while they perform their acrobatic stunts, such as walking over wires, climbing vertical surfaces, or jumping long distances. They have fur all over their body that can range in color from grayish or reddish brown to black. Their coat may also be sleek or rough depending on the species of the rat you’re dealing with.
Why rats enter the home
Rats are attracted to the home because of food, water, shelter, and the lack of predators. Food is abundant in the home. If they can’t find anything in the pantries or out in the open, they can get food right out of your trash bin or garbage cans. Rats are also attracted to water sources like puddles and leaky faucets. Finally, indoors, they have access to warmth, and they are relatively safe from predators. They still have to worry about us and our pets, but when compared to birds of prey and snakes, we’re a lot less dangerous and frightening.
The dangers of rat infestations
Rats are destructive animals that can cause considerable damage in a building, and which pose a significant health risk to the inhabitants. According to a recent study, rats can spread up to 47 different types of pathogens in human habitats. Not only do that, but due to their incessant gnawing, they are known to damage insulation, and chew through electrical wiring, which leads to an increased fire hazard.
This is why it’s important to get rid of rats as soon as possible. If you suspect that you have a rat infestation in the home, contact us today, and we will perform an inspection, followed by a control process if an infestation is present.