Rats can be a major problem once they enter your Salt Lake City property. If you are dealing with this troublesome rodent, there are some steps you can take to deter this pest away from your home or business.
The Risks Of Rats
There are two types of rats in the area, the roof rat and the Norway rat. The Norway rat is also known as a brown rat due to its coat of dark brown to grey fur. This rat can grow up to about sixteen inches long, including tail length, and prefers living in darker, more damp areas. In your house, they are likely to be found in basements and crawl spaces.
Because Norway rats (and other types of rats) have evolved alongside humans for centuries, they have developed a rather dependent relationship with human civilization. They are very skilled in living near human structures and can easily enter our homes. Rats will often settle near urban areas and large human populations. These areas provide them with the easiest sources of food, water, and shelter.
Do Rats Carry Diseases?
“Do rats carry diseases?” is a very valid question that many Salt Lake City residents may have. Rats do, in fact, carry many different diseases, and the diseases rats carry can be quite serious. Rats are known carriers of hantavirus, tularemia, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, and salmonella, and you can contract these by direct contact with a rat or contaminated food or surfaces.
In addition to the diseases rats carry, these rodents may introduce parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites into your home. They also leave behind significant destruction with their gnawing, scratching, and the urine or feces they leave around your property.
Preventing Rodent Invaders
If you want to keep rodents away from your home and business, there are several steps that you can take to rat-proof your property.
- Seal up potential rat entry points on your property around windows, doors, or the foundation. Rats can squeeze through holes as small as a quarter, so be sure to be thorough. You should also use a chew-proof material to seal gaps, such as hard cement, as rats can chew through wood, wiring, cinder block, and brick.
- Ensure that you store all leftover food properly and that you dispose of trash in tightly sealed bags. Clean up all food and drink spills promptly and refrain from leaving out dirty dishes, as this reduces rat attractants around your property.
- Fix areas of moisture both inside and outside, making sure to fix all leaks as rats are attracted to pools of moisture. Also, ensure that there is proper ventilation around your property.
How To Get Rid Of Rats
Seeing a group of rats around your Salt Lake City property is cause for immediate action in order to prevent a rodent infestation from getting out of control. Instead of dealing with rats yourself and relying on hit or miss DIY methods, the most effective and safest way to handle a rat infestation is to contact the professionals at Pest Pro Pest Control. They will be able to provide you with customized rat control solutions that leave your Salt Lake City property completely rodent-free.