A rat infestation in your home isn’t just a scary sight–the presence of these pesky pests can also cause physical damage to your house, spread dangerous diseases, and put you and your family at risk. Because of these various different serious risks, homeowners should always carefully check their home for any signs of rat activity. These pests can multiply rapidly and create chaos in your home, so learn all about what rats you might find, how to spot signs of their activity, and when to call a professional for help with a rat infestation!
Your home is probably a great place for a rat–comfortable, with available food and water sources, and shelter. Inside your home, they’re safe from predators and have easy access to packaged food. There are also plenty of places for them to start nesting. All of these factors are incredibly enticing for rats and could serve as a reason why they’d want to enter your home.
California is home to a range of different rat species. However, the two most common rats you’ll find in California homes are the Norway rats and the Roof rats. These two rat species frequently infest homes all across the state. Norway rats are larger, bulkier, and prefer nesting in darker spaces like basements. Roof rats are smaller, lighter, and often live in attics.
Rats are diverse. Once inside your home, they can hide in a wide variety of different spots around your property. They enjoy living in attics, basements, furniture, walls, and wherever else they can find a comfortable place to build their nests. Even just a tiny, quarter-sized hole can be big enough for a rat to gnaw open and push itself through. Because rats can infest so many different locations in your home, it can be hard to thoroughly check everywhere on your own, which is just one of the reasons why it’s often best to partner with a professional pest control company to rid yourself of rodents.
Rats aren’t just a frightening pest to see scurrying around your property. They also can cause an alarming amount of damage to both your home, and to everyone living in it. Some of the most severe dangers that rats can cause include:
Rat infestations can start small and spread quickly. That’s why in almost all cases, it’s essential to work with a residential pest control company like AIPM to effectively provide a pest control solution. DIY remedies, such as rat poison, rodent traps, or natural methods like peppermint oil, might provide a temporary fix, but because rats can hide in all corners of your home, breed quickly, cause damage, and even spread dangerous diseases, it’s best to let a professional handle any rat infestations.
Rats pose huge threats to homes and everyone living inside, which is why all homeowners should worry about a rat infestation. It’s easier than you think for a rat to slip inside and start causing trouble, like destroying physical structures and passing along harmful diseases. And once one a rat is inside, there’s sure to be more to follow. Don’t wait until it’s too late–contact a professional ASAP to stop rats in their tracks and return your home to true comfort!