In our Greensboro service area, we have two types of rats. One is likely to create a burrow in your yard and infiltrate your home as it looks for food. It is a brown rat called a Norway rat. The other rat we see quite a bit is a common structural pest. It is a black rat called the roof rat. These two types of rats have some differences, but it is how they are similar that makes them a problem. Our goal today is to describe some of the habits of Norway rats and roof rats that make them a problem when they get into structures in Greensboro. We will also offer up a few tips to help you keep them out!
Norway Rats
When you see brown rats outside in your yard, there are a few things you can assume. The rats are likely to have burrows somewhere. You may be able to find a burrow. Look for entry holes that lead underneath piles of objects in your yard. If the brown rats are living in an exterior location, you may be able to exclude them from your home by sealing potential entry points.
How do rats get in the house? These rats get in through ground-level entry points, such as:
- Gaps in exterior doors
- Rotted sills—these are the horizontal wood members just above your foundation
- Gaps around plumbing pipes and the PVC wire conduits that penetrate your foundation walls
- Broken window panes, damaged window frames, and torn screens
- Rotted wood doors and barriers that protect crawl spaces
Roof Rats
When you see black rats outside in your yard, there are a few things you can assume. You can expect roof rats in attic spaces. Roof rats often infiltrate homes by way of roofs and rooflines. This is because these rats are great climbers. They'll run up a tree just like a squirrel. From a tree, a roof rat can run down a branch and jump onto your roof.
How To Get Rats Out Of The Attic
Once you have roof rats in attic areas, it is difficult to get rid of them. These animals love living in man-made structures, even when there isn't a single bite of food to eat. (They can easily go outside to get the food they need.) If you trim tree branches away from your roofline and put wire mesh in the downspouts of your gutter system, you can stop them from doing this and possibly exclude them from your home. But be careful. If you make it impossible for roof rats to go outside for a bite to eat, you'll increase the chances that they'll invade interior food packages. And if you trap a momma rat outside and she has babies in your attic, she's going to make you regret it. The best way we know how to get rats out of the attic is to hire a licensed pest management professional. Professionals use field-tested methods to reduce the risk of unwanted results.
Why It Is Important To Keep Rats Out
When rats come into your yard or get into your home, they can present many issues. The damage these animals can do to your property and the diseases rats carry can cause harm.
- Rats damage building materials.
- Rats damage items in storage.
- Rats chew on wires and present a fire hazard.
- Rats can get into stored foods and contaminate them.
- The diseases that rats carry will not present a serious health threat most of the time, but there is a risk of hospitalization and even death. It is important to weigh this threat appropriately.
Rodent Control In Greensboro
If you're dealing with a rodent problem in Greensboro, reach out to Go-Forth Home Services. We can guide you toward a solution that is right for you, your family, and your property. Connect with us today to schedule a service visit. We're here to help!