Rats inside your home require immediate attention, but have you ever stopped to think, “Are rats in my backyard a problem?”
The answer — yes, they are — may surprise you. So let us explain why they are … and what you can do about them.
They may not be inside right now, but rats either find a way or make a way to take up residence where it is “safe” and warm. They will eventually move indoors with cold weather.
Some common entry points that rats can use to get inside include:
- Small holes, crevices, and cracks in your home’s foundation or walls
- Small holes, crevices, and cracks in your roof
- Uncovered vents
- Garage doors
- Gaps around windows
Rats can squeeze through extremely small openings. And they can enlarge a small opening by chewing around the edges with their strong teeth.
Rats can cause damage both when they get inside but also outside your home, too. They can damage plumbing pipes and chew through electrical wiring. They can cause structural damage to wood and even to concrete if it’s not cured or if they burrow extensively enough underneath it.
Rat urine and feces also are problematic. The smell is unpleasant, but the chemicals in rat waste can physically damage walls, floors, and other structures in and around your home.
Additionally, rat waste can contaminate anything edible that you’re growing outside. This includes fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even edible flowers.
Rats can carry numerous diseases that can spread to people either directly or indirectly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diseases spread by rodents include:
- Hantavirus
- Lassa Fever
- Leptospirosis
- Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever
- Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)
- Monkeypox
- Plague
- Typhus
- West Nile Virus
Some of these diseases are spread directly by being bitten or scratched by an infected rodent as well as by touching contaminated materials and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, or by eating food that was contaminated by an infected rodent.
Others are spread through indirect contact, such as when people are bitten by other pests (ticks, mites, fleas, and mosquitos) that have fed on infected rodents. Beetles and cockroaches can also indirectly spread diseases from infected rodents to people.
Because of the potential health risks involved, it’s always best to hire a professional to get rid of rats … whether inside or outside your home.
Classic Pest Control offers a full-service plan to get rid of rats. Step 1 is to contact us for a free estimate.
We’ll evaluate your situation and suggest a plan to get rid of the rats you currently have as well as prevent future problems. We’ll clean and sanitize once we’ve gotten rid of the existing rats, and then set you up with preventative maintenance to keep them away.
Click here to use our online form to request your free estimate, or call us at (877) 844-2847.
We look forward to helping you.
