One of the last things that you ever want to see inside your home is a large, menacing rat. These medium-sized rodents are larger and more destructive than mice. Not only can they destroy your home and personal property, but they can also spread many harmful diseases to you and your family.
If you want to keep your home rat-free, Pro Active Pest Control knows just how to help. We have been the premiere Elk Grove pest control company for years. Our rat control specialist can help you eliminate these dangerous rodents from coming into your home and prevent them from coming back.
How To Identify A Rat
Rats look similar to mice, but they are typically about two to three times bigger. The roof rat is the most common type of rat that is found in Elk Grove. They are commonly referred to as the "black rat" because they tend to have black or dark gray fur.
On average, the roof rat's body can measure between six and eight inches. They also have a long, scaly tail that can also measure an additional six to eight inches, but will be slightly longer than their body. They use their long tails to help them balance on narrow surfaces. They are typically found running across elevated surfaces, such as roofs, which is where they get their name.
How Rats Spread Diseases And Damage Property
Having rats in your home can have devastating consequences. These small creatures can sneak into your home and chew on almost any object and surface. If you have rats in your home, you may notice small to medium-sized holes chewed through your walls, ceiling, furniture, and clothing. Like all rodents, rats have teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives. This means that they have to chew on something frequently in order to control their growth.
Rats will not only cause damage to objects that are out in the open but they can get in your attic and behind your walls and chew through the insulation or electrical wiring. This can be both dangerous and expensive to repair.
One of the things that rats are most known for is their ability to spread dangerous diseases to humans and animals. Some of the various diseases rats can carry and pass onto you include leptospirosis, salmonellosis, tularemia, rat-bite fever, and trichinosis.
Four Simple Rodent Exclusion Tips To Prevent Rats
If you want to keep rats away from your home, there are a few easy steps that you can take. Some of the ways that you can prevent rats from entering and destroying your home include:
- Remove any piles of dead tree limbs or other debris from your yard
- Don't stack firewood directly next to your home
- Keep a tight lid on your trash cans
- Store all dry food, including pet food, in a metal or glass container that has a sealable lid
Rats are likely to come into your home if they think that there is a reliable food and water source inside. Be sure to repair any water leaks that you may have around your home and make sure to have all food sources inaccessible to rats and other rodents.
The Pros To Know For Total Rat Control In Elk Grove
If you want to keep rats away from your home, call us today. At Pro Active Pest Control, our highly-trained rodent control technicians in Elk Grove can find and remove all rats from your home and make sure that they never come back again. Give us a call today to schedule your consultation.