How To Remove The Norway Rat And The Roof Rat From Your Home
There is a wide variety of rat species currently present in the US, but some of the most common are the Norway rats and the roof rats. Roof rats, also known as black rats, are a species that is believed to hail from the Indian subcontinent and is currently found around the world. They are excellent climbers, which is why you will usually find them in the attics and upper stories of a building.
Norway rats on the other hand will occupy the lower area of the building and the ground floor. These rats are also called brown, common, street, or sewer rats, among other names. They are one of the largest muroid species and can grow up to 11 inches in length and weigh up to 18 ounces. It is believed that they originated in China and they are also currently found around the world.
How Do You Exterminate These Rats?
The best extermination method is prevention. Both species are fairly large, and sealing off any large holes or cracks in the exterior of the home will prevent them from entering. Make sure that you take out the garbage regularly and that you keep your food in sealed containers. However, despite our best efforts, infestations can still occur, at which point we move to extermination.
It all starts with the inspection process, which has the goal of locating the rats in order to be able to set traps and place bait. However, rats are wary of new objects. They will know when new food enters their area or when changes in their environment happen, because they constantly explore their surroundings and because they are suspicious creatures by nature. This is why it will take a day or two for your trap and bait stations to work.
Trapping or Baiting?
Trapping has some advantages over baiting, because the rat is killed right away and you can dispose quickly of the body. If the rat population in your environment is small enough, trapping is the way to go. Baiting on the other hand uses rodenticides, which means that it is a technique that should only be used in areas where domestic animals and children do not have access to them. To protect your children or animals against accidental poisoning, you can use tamper-resistant bait stations that hold the bait in place and prevent children and pets from reaching the poisonous element of the trap.
Do You Have a Rat Infestation?
If both prevention and extermination fail, it’s time to call in some professional help. Sometimes it is simply not possible to manage these pests on your own. If you are unable to get an infestation under control, you can take advantage of professional assistance. Our team of technicians are trained to deal with any sort of rat infestation, no matter how large or small. Contact us today for more information regarding our pricing and services.