Rats live almost anywhere you find people. Because of their proximity to humans, it only makes sense that they find their way into homes regularly. Knowing how to rat-proof your home allows you to implement long-term rat control in Salt Lake City. The following information from Jensen’s Guaranteed Pest Control will help.
Signs Of Rats In The House: Identifying Rat Activity
Although there are few, if any, good things about a rat infestation, if rats do get into your house, you can be thankful that it won’t take long before they make their presence known. One of the best ways to minimize the problems rats cause when they get into your Salt Lake City home is to get rid of them as quickly as possible, so knowing the signs of rats in your house can help you quickly identify the problem. Some signs of rat activity in your house include:
- Hearing the rats. They will often make noise in your attic, ceilings, and walls. Scratching, scuffling, and squeaking noises are all common.
- Seeing the rats. It’s fairly rare to see rats in your house because they are nocturnal and naturally cautious about being in exposed areas. However, if you see a rat in your house, it’s a sure sign that rats are present.
- Finding rat droppings. Wherever rats go, they leave droppings behind. These large rice-shaped droppings with blunt ends are dark in color and are likely to be found on countertops and in cabinets and kitchen drawers.
- Finding damaged food packaging. Rats will chew holes in food packages to get to the food inside. These holes will be jagged and uneven.
- Seeing greasy rub marks along baseboards. Rats stay close to walls when they move from place to place, and they often leave marks behind.
If you see any of the signs above, you likely have a rat problem.
Rat-Borne Diseases: Common Illnesses Transmitted By Rats
The diseases rats carry are many. Most diseases they are known for are spread through their contaminated droppings. However, they can also spread diseases through their other excretions and by coming into direct contact with people and biting or scratching them.
Some of the common diseases that rats spread include:
- Leptospirosis
- Rat bite fever
- Salmonellosis
- Trichinosis
- E. coli
- Tularemia
In addition to illnesses, rats can also introduce parasites into your home.
Five Easy Tips To Prevent Future Rat Infestations
If you’re wondering how to prevent rats before they have a chance to get into your Salt Lake City home, look no further. The following five easy tips will help you prevent a future rat infestation.
- Keep your yard clean. Remove debris, keep your grass trimmed, and cut back overgrown foliage.
- Seal entry points into your house, no matter how small. Seal cracks, replace torn screens, cover vents, fix holes, and repair gaps.
- Take care of all moisture issues in and around your house. Eliminate standing water outside, clean out clogged gutters, fix leaking pipes and dripping faucets, and reduce humidity inside your house.
- Eliminate food sources both inside and outside. Store food in closed containers, clean up messes after each meal, take out the trash, and store outdoor garbage away from your house.
- Reduce clutter. Remove items from your house that you don’t need, especially in rooms that aren’t used often, and eliminate clutter outside as well.
By implementing these prevention strategies, you can keep rats away from your home and property.
The Pros To Know For Total Rat Control In Salt Lake City
If you find any signs of a rat infestation on your Salt Lake City property, you need a rat pest control company that knows how to effectively eliminate your rat problem. Jensen’s Guaranteed Pest Control offers rat control services to ensure your home is rat-free.
Our rat removal services are tailored to your home’s unique needs. No matter how big or small your rat problem is, we will fully eliminate it. We also offer year-round services to ensure your rat problem does not return. Contact us today to get on your way to a rat-free home.