Rats in Savannah have long been the scourge of homeowners. They've been responsible for countless contaminated pantries, chewed-up furniture, and millions of holes gnawed through the walls. Add to that the diseases they spread, the peace of mind they destroy, and the feeling of disgust they bring to your house, and it's obvious that these little critters and us can't coexist in the same home.
In Florida, you're most likely to run into either Norway rats or roof rats. Norway rats are the bigger of the two, growing up to a foot long, including the tail. They have a longer body with a blunt muzzle and small ears and are usually brown with lighter undersides. Norway rats are great burrowers and usually infest lower parts of the building, particularly basements. Roof rats, as their name suggests, are amazing climbers, and you're most likely to run into them in the attics and roof area. They're a bit smaller than Norway rats with brown bodies, white or grey undersides, and large ears and eyes.
Rats generally are nocturnal and supremely adept at staying out of sight. They multiply at an amazing speed; each female can give birth to 8 to 12 young every eight weeks, and each of those young can have their own young in less than ten weeks after being born. Once rats settle into your home, their numbers get out of control fast, so it pays to catch the problem in its early stages before the little furniture chewers can get comfortable and start to multiply.
Let's take a look at how to spot signs of a rat infestation in your home, learn what keeps rats away and the best ways to get rid of rats, and, if that fails, how to find quality pest control in Savannah.
How To Tell If It's Rats Infesting Your Home
Rats are masters at evasion and not being seen, so when you're starting to see obvious signs of rats in your Savannah home, there isn't much time to waste.
Watch for these signs of rat infestation:
- Chewed-up furniture legs, holes in the lower part of the wall, and gnaw marks on food containers
- Capsule-shaped droppings with pointy or blunt ends (depending on the rat species you're struggling with)
- Greasy, dark marks from rats rubbing on the walls
- Rat footprints
- Chewed and contaminated stored food
- Scurrying noises in the walls and the attic at night
If you suspect that rats have infested your Savannah home, the best course of action is to get in touch with an experienced rat control professional.
Rats In Your Home Is A Serious Health HazardÂ
Once inside the walls of your home rats are surprisingly capable of producing damage and mayhem. Their teeth grow up to 14 inches a year, so to keep them filed down, they gnaw on everything in sight, especially wood furniture legs and walls.
Rats have a supremely capable sense of smell and are willing to devote days of their lives to get to and destroy your food supplies.
Rats also spread multiple contagious diseases. If your house has a rat infestation, some illnesses you may be subject to include the following:
- Leptospirosis,
- Rat-bite fever,
- Tularemia,
- Salmonellosis
- Jaundice
- Cowpox virus
- Trichinosis
Unless you're trying to pick a rat up, you're not likely to be bitten, but if you are, the bite will likely get infected.
How Rats Find Their Way Into Your Home
Rats are extremely capable climbers and can dislocate parts of their scull to fit through openings the size of a quarter.
To keep Savannah rodents away outside your home, follow these tips:
- Seal gaps and cracks in the outside walls and cover vents with metal mesh.
- Store food in sealed, glass, or metal containers.
- Keep debris and firewood away from the walls.
- Make sure your trash is in a sealed, rat-proof container.
If prevention did not do the trick and you suspect that there are rats in your house, it's time to get in touch with a professional!
The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Rats For GoodÂ
A well-trained Savannah rodent control professional will rely on their years of experience and quickly develop a plan of attack to get rid of rats and keep rats away.
If the peace of your home is disturbed by a rat infestation, get in touch with Prestige Pest Control! We'll get the little disease-ridden invaders out of your house for good!