Common rodent invaders into Chandler properties, roof rats, can be difficult to remove once an infestation has started. Proper understanding of these pests and proactive prevention are the best things to .
Identifying Roof Rats
Roof rats are one of two major , with the other being Norway rats. Roof rats are much smaller in size than Norway rats and are also called either black rats or ship rats. Most roof rats will grow to an average of 16 inches long (including tail length) and will have a brown or black coat with a grey, white, or black underside.
True to their name, roof rats are highly skilled at climbing and prefer to live in higher areas around your home, such as on roofs or in the attic. They can scale trees and use them to enter your home, making prevention more difficult as it is hard to fully block off your house from a rat who can climb and fit through small gaps.
It is important to note that roof rats, like many other rodents, can spread diseases like leptospirosis, salmonellosis, rat-bite fever, toxoplasmosis, and trichinosis throughout your home. They may also introduce parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites onto your property and can cause significant destruction due to their ability to chew through materials such as wood, brick, cinder block, and electrical wires.
Roof Rat Prevention
Keeping an eye out for roof rats and following several prevention tips is the best way to .
- Utilize a chimney cap to cut off a major entry point for roof rats as they climb onto your roof and attempt to enter your home through the chimney.
- Make sure to seal up all food waste and trash bags tightly. You especially want to make sure that trash is disposed of properly and to tightly seal any outdoor pet food, as the aroma of these items is a major factor in attracting rats to your home.
- Identify and seal up any gaps or cracks around windows, doors, or along your foundation. You may also want to check for openings in the roof and use rat-proof materials like hard cement to seal entry points.
- Fix leaks inside and outside your home, as pools of moisture can attract roof rats and other pests to your property. You should also clear out gutters that may be clogged and holding water and ensure your home has proper ventilation to prevent any moisture buildup.
- Keep your yard clear of any debris, in addition to keeping the grass trimmed low to eliminate the number of hiding spots that rodents may use on your property.
- Declutter the more secluded areas around your home like the attic, closets, and unused rooms. Discard stores of cardboard and vacuum or regularly sweep to help reduce rodent hiding places and food crumbs around your home and help you if you discover rodent damage or droppings during your cleaning.
Professional Rodent Removal
Roof rats can be challenging to remove by yourself, which is why you should contact Green Home Pest Control for more advice or assistance at the first sign of rodents. Our pest control experts can that will leave your home completely rodent-free.
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