Rats are among the most polarizing creatures on the planet. It is either you love them or hate them. Some people go as far as keeping them as pets, while many consider them as pests that are unwelcome visitors at home.
Save for the pets at home that are always groomed and fed with fresh food by their human owners, rats are pretty disgusting creatures. They thrive in dirty places. Sewer rats are among the examples we can give. They live in dirty places and eat trash.
Once in a while, they invade homes, and that is when they start to become a huge problem. Seeing a rat or two inside the house is enough to make one squirm and scream.
Oh, the horror of seeing a rat!
Not to make you panic even more, but rats are known to transmit deadly diseases. Among these diseases are leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, Lassa fever, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, tularemia, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
Rats are indeed terrible pests to have around. That is why it is a good thing that residents of Lewisville can count on their friendly neighborhood exterminators to help them control rats and maintain their sanity.
Another good news is that you too can apply pest control measures to keep them in check. Go-Forth Home Services, the top exterminator for mice in Lewisville, will teach you how.
Let us talk about what rats are and how to get rid of them.
Overview
Rats are medium-sized rodents. They have the same appearance as the common house mouse, only larger, with longer bodies, longer tails, and longer legs. Some people do keep rats as pests, but they are more commonly known as pests rather than pets. They are seen as very dangerous to keep around the house because they can still transmit diseases.
Rats have a great memory and are very intelligent. They do not forget and can easily learn new trails, and would likely avoid trails that they find dangerous. They are also very inquisitive, and always go out to investigate. Yet once they sense danger they quickly run away and avoid any form of confrontation with humans.
Rats are also highly social creatures. They live in a nest in groups. They sleep cuddled next to each other. When they are left alone, they get lonely. When they lose a loved one, they get depressed just like humans.
They can reproduce quickly, which is the reason why their species is very successful. A rat that is already 5 weeks old can already reproduce and can reproduce after every three weeks. They continue to be productive for two years.
Another reason why they are great survivors is that they can live for 20 days without drinking any water. They get hydrated by the food they eat. Aside from that they are not choosy eaters.
We cannot emphasize enough that rats are very dangerous to have around because they transmit deadly diseases. We will continue to say that again and again in this article. That is why it is very important to choose the best pest control experts to eradicate them.
Kinds Of Rats
The most widely known species of rats are the black rat and the brown rat. The black rats are the common house rats that are pests to both the households and agriculture. An adult black rat is about 5 inches to 7.2 inches in size and weighs about 75 to 230 grams. They are omnivores and are not choosy as to what they eat. Farmers abhor them because these rats feed on their crops. They can live in houses, warehouses, and commercial buildings. They also thrive in agricultural areas like crop fields and barns.
The brown rat is also known as the sewer rat. Brown rats are much larger than the black rats, they are about 11 inches in length. They weigh up to 17 oz. They have gray-brown bodies. Their tails are shorter than their bodies. Their eyes and ears are small. They are nocturnal so they forage for food at night, and eat almost anything.
Rats As Pests
Not all rats are pests. They only become pests when they get near places where humans live. For some reason, rats do know that where there are humans, there is plenty of food.
One characteristic of rats that makes them such pests is that their incisors are constantly growing. In order for them to stop it from growing any much further, they need to chew on something. This explains why, when rats are present in our homes, there are books, cartons, boxes, newspapers, and other similar materials that look like they are shredded and torn. Most probably, rats or mice are the culprits. Rats destroy property, making them such a nuisance to have around.
Rats invade our homes in search of food and water. In the process, they contaminate our food and water through their droppings, urine, vomit, and saliva. Ingesting droppings directly or food that was contaminated by these are dangerous to one’s health and may cause diseases. Throw away contaminated food for your safety.
They have large teeth and would bite when they feel threatened. They typically avoid confrontation but would bite to defend themselves when cornered. Rat bites can also cause several diseases, including rat-bite fever, leptospirosis, and tetanus infection.
Rat-Borne Diseases
Here are some of the diseases that rats transmit:
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is caused by the bacteria Leptospira interrogans. It presents a wide variety of symptoms which are sometimes present in other illnesses, while for some there may even be no symptoms at all. If not treated, this disease may lead to kidney failure, liver failure, respiratory distress, meningitis, and even death. Those who are at high risk for this disease are people who are in close association with animals and the soil and water they are in contact with. People who wade through floodwaters without wearing any boots on and with an open wounds at the legs or feet are also at risk. Leptospirosis is transmitted via the urine of infected animals. Symptoms may appear after 2 days up to 4 weeks. Symptoms may include high fever, chills, headaches, abdominal pains, sore throat, fatigue, pain in the joints, pain in the muscles, reddish eyes, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, and rash.
Rat-Bite Fever
This is an infectious disease caused by two types of bacteria: Streptobacillus moniliformis and Spirillum minus. Signs and symptoms of this disease include fever, vomiting, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash. These signs begin to show 3 to 10 days after contact with the bacteria.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
This is a severe respiratory disease that is caused by hantavirus infection. It is a possibly fatal disease. Transmission happens when a person comes into contact with a rodent that is infected by this virus. Humans become infected through exposure or inhalation of rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. Rat infestation in and around the home is usually the main reason for exposure to this virus.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a disease that is contracted by eating food that is contaminated by rat droppings. Symptoms of this disease include fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping.
Pest Control To Get Rid Of Rats
Now that we know why rats cannot and should not stay in our homes, we have to know how to protect ourselves from rat infestation.
Here are a few tips on how to get rid of rats:
- Regularly dispose of your garbage. Rats are attracted to trash because food for them is abundant there. They do not care if the food is dirty or rotten; they will surely eat them all.
- Cover your trash with a lid. This will prevent the rats from getting to your trash.
- Try to find cracks, crevices, and holes inside and outside your home. These holes are potential entry points for rats. Keep in mind that rats can fit into small holes. Sealing them keeps the rats out.
- Practice good sanitation. Make sure your surroundings are clean. Avoid being dirty and remove clutter. Sweep the floor and wipe off food and drink spills.
- Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and clogged drains. Rats like high moisture areas also.
Follow these tips to prevent rats from entering your home. If you still have these unwanted pests in your house, be sure to contact the best pest control management in Lewisville, Go-Forth Home Services.
The Go-Forth Home Services
Go-Forth Home Services is a family-owned company that has established its presence not only in Lewisville, but in other cities in the Triad like Apex, Asheboro, Burlington, Charlotte, and Cary.
They have been around since 1959, earning the trust of residents and businesses for 60 years now. For more information, call us now!