How Dangerous Is It To Have Rats On My Lake Orion Property?

2/16/2021

Staying healthy during the winter is challenging, especially with the cold and flu virus running rampant. Regrettably, most people will not remember that there is another antagonist to protect yourself against: rats. As the cold weather moves in, rodents of all species will be looking for warmth and nourishment. Keeping them out is tricky, especially since rats can chew through nearly anything. As luck would have it, we know a thing or two about handling this sort of problem, and we are happy to share what we know.

How To Identify Rats

The Norway rat, also known as the sewer rat or brown rat, is the most widespread species found in Lake Orion. Thought to have originated in Asia, they are now found in all continents with the exception of Antarctica. Their long, round bodies are covered in brown fur, with black specks throughout. They possess a blunt nose, round ears, beady eyes, and a scaly tail that more than doubles their length.

Rats are a familiar creature, and it’s estimated that these rodents and others invade 21 million homes in the United States each winter. Once inside, they make quick work of building a nest, usually by shredding insulation, paper, and any other soft materials they come across. Not long after, it’s virtually guaranteed that the nest will be filled with babies. Female rats typically give birth to ten babies per litter, six times per year. This is how a small rat problem swiftly becomes a full-blown infestation.

The Problem With Rats

Rats are destructive, malodorous, and threaten your health and home. They find their way inside through small holes and cracks usually located in the foundation of a home or around utility lines. Once inside, they will wreak havoc on your home. They have an incessant need to gnaw, thanks to their continuously growing teeth. This inflicts significant damage, especially to walls, insulation, valuables, and electrical systems. It’s estimated that rodent-inflicted electrical shorts are responsible for 20 - 25% of house fires with unknown causes.

Studies have shown that rats and mice spread over 35 diseases. Norway rats, in particular, are known to carry serious diseases such as trichinosis, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever. They spread these diseases and others as they scurry across the countertops and leave feces in the cupboards. It’s well known that rats are also carriers of various parasites. In the mid-1300s, the bubonic plague was spread by fleas on the backs of rats. Rats today still carry and spread fleas and mites throughout the homes they frequent. The best way to protect your home from a rat problem is to prevent the threat of an infestation.

Trouble-Free Rat Prevention Tips

Eliminating a home rat infestation is a challenging task. It’s more manageable to work on prevention techniques. You can start by implementing the following tips in your home to keep the rats at bay:

Seal Entry Points

Conduct an inspection of your home on a regular basis in search of possible entry points for all pests. Some general areas of entry include holes or cracks in the foundation and areas around utility lines. Seal these areas off to pests using caulk, cement, or mixing compound depending on which is most appropriate. Avoid using materials rats can chew through like wood.

Eliminate Food Sources

Store all food in airtight containers. Be sure to keep crumbs and spills cleaned up and all garbage in the appropriate receptacle.

Exterior Home Maintenance

Keeping rats away from your property is an obvious, yet often overlooked way to keep them out of your home. Maintaining your property by preventing your grass, shrubs, and gardens from overgrowing is helpful. It is also recommended to keep garbage contained in bins with tight-fitting lids to keep animals from scattering trash across your property.

Most of the tips listed above are tasks homeowners do on a regular basis anyway. Preventing a problem is much less stressful than dealing with an active infestation, and it’s cheaper too. If you find yourself in the unlucky position of trying to eradicate a colony of rats from your home, it’s best to seek help from professionals.

The Most Successful Way To Handle A Rat Infestation

Dealing with a home overrun with rats is a challenging situation. You’ve likely tried to handle the situation by placing traps and baits unsuccessfully. Successfully eliminating a rat problem requires a bit more knowledge of rat behavior. Luckily for you, the professionals at Wells Pest Control are well versed in rat behavior.

Our pest control specialists in Lake Orion take pride in their ever-expanding knowledge of local pests and the most efficient ways to handle them. We offer a comprehensive rodent control service that will take out any existing rat colony and prevent others from moving in later. In addition to rodent removal, we also provide sanitation measures. We safely remove rodent waste and disinfect all affected areas.

Don’t unnecessarily burden yourself with trying to rid your home of this scourge. We are looking forward to working with you and keeping all of our neighbors in Lake Orion, MI happy, safe, and pest-free. For more information about our rodent control in Michigan, or to schedule your free inspection, contact us today!

Tags: rodent control | rodent prevention | rat control |

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