Unfortunately, a rat problem can occur in any home as our structures offer rats things that make their lives easier. Food, water, and shelter are all within their paw’s reach when they enter our houses. Because rats have learned to rely on people for their basic needs, we must remain vigilant against these pests. Use this guide to learn helpful information about rats in Chicago. The more you know about these curious rodents, the more easily you can keep them from getting into and causing problems in your home.
Signs Of Rats In The House: Identifying Rat Activity
Rats are nocturnal, shy creatures. They don’t want you to know you are sharing your home with them. More often than not, it is not the rats but the signs rats leave behind that alert homeowners to a problem with these pests.
Signs of rats in your house include finding:
- Droppings: As rats travel around your home, they leave behind dark pellet-like droppings with blunt ends on floors, counters, or in cardboard boxes, cabinets, or crawl spaces.
- Gnaw marks: Rats use their sharp front incisors to create gnaw marks on things like trim, food containers, and furniture. They will also use their teeth to chew through wires, pipes, and drywall.
- Grease marks: Rats have poor vision and will travel along walls and furniture to move safely between food sources and their nest. This behavior will cause dirt streaks and grease marks on walls.\\
- Noises: As rats move behind your home’s walls, they make squeaking and scratching noises.
If you are suspicious of rats in your home, immediately seek out professional rat control from Aerex Pest Control.
Hidden Hazards: Health And Property Risks Posed By Rat Infestations
Once rats get into your home and discover that your home will provide them with their basic needs, they won’t be in any hurry to leave. Unfortunately, sharing your home with rats is more than a simple annoyance; it is a hazard. Rats cause damage to both property and people.
Rats are scavenging pests. When rats move from their outdoor environment into your home, they don’t just bring themselves. They bring with them all the things they are carrying in and on their bodies that make people ill.
In addition to being a health risk, rats are a risk to the structure of our homes. Using their sharp front incisors, rats damage structural elements and personal property and contaminate your family’s food.
Call The Rat Control Experts: Ensuring Safe And Effective Elimination
Professional rat control is the best defense against these destructive, damaging pests. Aerex Pest Control experts know how to identify issues with rats, find where they are hiding, and implement effective rat control and prevention techniques. We offer a comprehensive approach to rat control that will give you the peace of mind to know the infestation has been eliminated and won’t return.
Learn more about implementing our inspection, treatment, and follow-up services to get rid of rats and other common household pests from your home by calling today.
Rat Prevention: Simple Measures To Keep Rats Out
Use the following tips to make your property less attractive to rats and make it more difficult for them to enter your home:
- Seal entry points. Use strong materials like metal flashing or steel wool to seal holes in your home's exterior that can allow rats inside. Install door sweeps on all exterior doors, and keep screens on chimneys and vents.
- Eliminate food sources. Keep lids on trash cans, pick up vegetables and fruits that fall to the ground in garden areas, ensure outdoor eating areas remain free of food debris, and pick up uneaten pet food.
- Practice proper trash management. Make sure to place all trash bags in containers with locking or tight-fitting lids. Regularly remove trash from your property.
- Control water sources. Repair leaky pipes and fixtures. Fill in low-lying areas that collect rainwater. Make sure to keep gutters clear of debris that can collect water.
For the most effective rat control in Chicago, give Aerex Pest Control a call today!