You're not alone if you suspect you have a rat problem in your Frisco home. A recent survey showed that more than 37% of people had seen a rodent in their house in the last year. This guide will tell you the signs of a rat infestation in your home, the damage and dangers rats bring with them, why you have rats in your home, and how to safely get rid of them. Spoiler alert: That last one is simple. You need to contact a professional Frisco pest control company like Adams Exterminating.
Clear Signs Of A Rat Infestation In Your House
There are several signs that you may have a rat infestation in your home, including:
- Droppings on your counters or floor – Rat droppings are ½ to ¾ inches long, rod-shaped, and have either pointed or blunt ends.
- Gnaw marks – Rats have to chew on things constantly to keep their incisors from overgrowing. If they didn't gnaw, their teeth would grow too big for them to use.
- Nests in attic, basement, or crawl space – Rats use whatever soft materials are available to create nests. That includes insulation, paper, clothing, and bedding.
- Oily rub marks along walls or baseboards – Rats' hair is greasy, so when they walk around your house, keeping one side pressed to the wall for safety, they leave oily marks behind.
- Noise in the attic or walls – You may hear scratching or squeaking coming from the walls or attic if you have rats.
- Seeing an actual rat – The most definitive sign of a rat infestation in your home is seeing a rat.
If you notice any of these indications of a rat infestation, you need to call a professional rat control company like Adams Exterminating Company.
The Damage And Dangers Of A Rat Infestation In Your Home
Rats make for lousy roommates. They can cause significant property damage and bring disease into your home.
The property damage arises from two sources: their excrement and their need to gnaw. When things in your home, such as insulation or carpets, are contaminated with rat droppings and urine, it's difficult to get them clean. You may have to replace your insulation or get your carpet professionally cleaned.
When rats gnaw, they're not picky about what they're chewing on. Wood, plastic, and wiring are all fair game. That means they have the potential to chew a hole in a water or sewage pipe, causing significant water damage. They may also chew through electric wires, creating a serious fire hazard.
The diseases rats carry are also very serious. They include leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, tularemia, and salmonella. Any of those could land you, your loved ones, and your pets in the doctor's office.
Because of all the dangers rats bring with them when they move into your home, you need to know how to get rid of rats in Frisco. The best way to get rid of rats safely and permanently is to partner with a professional pest control company like Adams Exterminating.
Why Do I Have A Rat Infestation In My House?
Rats enter your home looking for two things: food and shelter. For proper rat prevention, you need to limit rats' access to your home. The first thing you need to do is seal your house. Rats can get into your home through a hole the size of a nickel. Fill cracks and crevices in your foundation. Cover weep holes and vents, and cap your chimney.
Next, you need to cover your outdoor garbage cans with tight-fitting lids to keep rats and other pests out. Your kitchen trash is a smorgasbord for rats. Without easy access to food, they're less likely to try to gain entry into your home.
After that, it's time to clean up your kitchen. Store food in the fridge or freezer to keep it safe from rats – or use rat-proof containers. Make sure you wipe up any spills or crumbs immediately and do your dishes promptly after eating. Empty your kitchen trash every night, and wash out the trash can on a regular basis.
To get rid of rats in your Frisco home, you need professional help from Adams Exterminating.
The Best Way To Safely Get Rid Of A Rat Infestation
Adams Exterminating provides rodent control services in Frisco for residents. We've been locally owned and operated since 1947 – through four generations of family ownership. We're trusted by over 10,000 homes and businesses, which explains our 5-star rating on Google reviews, with over 1,200 reviews. Contact us today for your free estimate and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Frisco.