As if the pandemic isn’t enough, there has been an uptick in the number of rat sightings in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area over the last several months. According to pest management specialists from Texas A&M, the increasing number of rat sightings is due to the closure of restaurants and more food sources at homes. This is problematic as rats can carry and transfer around 35 known diseases. To keep your family and pets healthy, know the signs of rats in your home so you can get the pests taken care of right away.
Signs You Have Rats In The House
Rats are easily recognizable if you are lucky enough to see it. Even if you don’t see the rat, the signs they leave behind can indicate what type of rodent you are dealing with.
1. Appearance
- Knowing the difference between a rat and a mouse helps you use the most effective pest removal method.
- The main difference between the two is that rats have fur on their bodies but not their tails.
- Mice, on the other hand, have fur all over their body including their tails. Additionally, rats run on four legs but often stand up on two feet.
- Rats can be found in varying sizes and colors. If you are close enough to see their head you’ll find that it is either blunted or long and pointed.
2. Activity
- While mice are active in both the day and the night, most of the time rats are active in the night. This is one of the main reasons it is so hard to detect them.
- If you think you have rats in your home, looking for the signs they leave behind is essential.
3. Footprints and Droppings
- One of the first places to look is the less-used areas of your home. This is where you will likely find small footprints and rat droppings (clear signs of a pest problem).
- Rat droppings are typically found in a grouping. They look about the size of a grain of rice but brown.
4. Gnaw Marks
- Rats are notorious for gnawing up different materials around the home to make and add to their nests.
- Look for signs of any gnawing or chewing on furniture, pillows, curtains, and other pieces of shredded material.
5. Holes
- Holes in your home can also be a sign of rats. Rats dig extensive burrow systems known as rat holes.
- These holes or tunnels are used for food, shelter, and nesting.
- They are typically built around solid structures or objects.
6. Noises
- In the DFW area, there is a specific type of rat known as black rats of “roof rats.”
- This type of rat is an agile climber, meaning they can easily climb around inside the walls of your home.
- If you are hearing scratching noises in your walls or ceiling, especially at night, you likely have a rat problem that needs to be addressed.
- Note that brown rats also make noise but it is a grinding noise with their teeth and is less noticeable than the scratching from roof rats.
Where To Look For Rats In Your Home
If you find any of these signs in your home it’s important to know where to look in your home for the rats.
- Rats can live inside your home or simply around the outside of your home.
- Inside your home, common places include the attic or loft as these areas often have plenty of insulation and storage items they can use for their nests.
- Other common areas are the kitchen since it is a reliable food source or the laundry room which gives off heat which attracts rats.
- Outside the home, it’s helpful to check the garage, deck, and any sheds for rat holes.
- If you garden, it is also important to check your compost bins, any vegetation, or yard debris as these are ideal places for rats.
Get Rid Of Rats Right Away
Given the health threat that rats pose to your family and pets, you must address any rat problem at the first sign of trouble. Taking care of a rat problem by yourself can be draining and seem unbearable without the correct solution. To take care of the problem efficiently, your best bet is to work with a professional. The experts at Chorbie have your back when it comes to pest control and ridding your home of rats. Contact us today at (972) 697-5221 to get rid of any rat issues in your home and prevent them from returning.
These aren’t the only pests that you may encounter in these colder months. Be on the watch for signs of mice, wasps, and roaches too!
