Tags: Getting ride of rats, Rat Control
Rats are one pest that you can’t tolerate on your Temecula-Murrieta property. Ants and flies can be annoying, but panic ensues whenever rats appear — and for good reason. While rats are some of the most intelligent pests, they also cause some of the most serious problems. Figuring out the best way to deal with rats on your Temecula-Murrieta property can be tricky, but there are some tried and true methods you can follow.
Rats In Temecula and Murrieta
The most common rat in Temecula and Murrieta is the roof rat. They can be gray, brown or black in color. They are very agile climbers and usually live and nest above ground in schrubs, trees and dense vegetation such as ivy. Roof rats are long and thin and have large eyes and ears with appointed nose and scaly tail.
Like other rodents, rats have front incisor teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives and must be whittled down constantly with compulsive gnawing. This behavior drives rats to chew up belongings and property when they infest homes and businesses.
Rats thrive in manmade environments and are typically found wherever there are people. They are omnivorous and can survive on a wide variety of foods from grains to insects to garbage. Their intelligence helps them to find nourishment and shelter — and even to avoid store-bought traps and baits.
Problems Caused by Rats
Rats are responsible for causing a number of problems including disease, destruction, and parasites. These pests can pick up nasty pathogens as they scavenge for food. Bathrooms, sewers, and garbage dumpsters are all areas that rats may frequent. Rats can spread diseases like hantavirus and salmonellosis through their droppings.
As mentioned earlier, rats are highly destructive pests. Their strong teeth allow them to penetrate a wide variety of materials from plastic to wood to brick. However, rats can’t chew through metal or glass. Their relentless gnawing can be dangerous, however, as they have been known to chew up electrical wiring and cause fires.
Finally, rats can carry parasites like ticks and fleas which can then spread around your property. These parasites present their own plethora of problems, particularly causing Lyme disease and other illnesses through their bites.
The Best Way to Deal with Rats
If you’ve got rats on your Temecula or Murrieta property, the best way to deal with them is to call Wheeler’s Pest Control. We’ve been serving customers in Temecula and Murrieta area for over 20 years and we’ve evicted plenty of rats in that time. Our rodent control service we’ll control rats on your property and those that will come onto your property from surrounding properties.
How To Prevent Rats
In the meantime, there are some simple and effective rat prevention methods that you can try:
- Seal entry points – Look around the exterior of your property for any holes or openings. Rats only need a hole about the size of a quarter or smaller to squeeze through. Seal holes with metal mesh or sheet metal. Don’t use steel wool. It will rust just from the moisture in the air and create rust steaks on siding. Rats can chew through wood and plastic, so be sure to use metal material of some sort.
- Protect your trash –Rinse out trash cans to eliminate food residue that attracts pests and try to place trash cans at least 20 feet from the property.
- Don’t forget elevated areas –Roof rats, can be great climbers. Be sure to keep windows closed or outfitted with screens on upper floors. Use chimney caps to prevent entry in elevated areas.
For more advice or assistance with rats on your Temecula- Murrieta property call Wheeler’s Pest Control
