Keep Both Indoor & Outdoor Spaces Clean To Avoid Infestations

Since rats will be most active when everyone else is asleep, they may be able to go undetected in your home for a long time. There are, however, a number of telltale signs that a homeowner should look out for.

Roof rats and Norway rats are extremely common pests that can be found in every region throughout the United States. Although these different species have very similar behaviors and will still enter your home in search of food, water, and warmth, the Norway rat tends to be slightly larger and bulkier than roof rats and generally have lighter brownish fur, as opposed to the roof rat’s black fur.

Despite the subtle differences in appearance, both of these species are remarkably adaptable pests and can live - and breed - on almost any kind of food. During the winter, when food is at its most scarce, these rats will sometimes try to enter your home and establish a nest in a dark, quiet place. Rats are mostly nocturnal, so while they’re sleeping during the day, they’ll come out at night, while the rest of the household is asleep, and scavenge for food. Since rats will be most active when everyone else is asleep, they may be able to go undetected in your home for a long time. 

There are, however, a number of telltale signs that a homeowner should look out for if they suspect that rats have made a nest somewhere inside their home. Rat droppings, which are small, oblong, and dark in color, are perhaps the most obvious. Also, stay on the lookout for walls and furniture that have been gnawed. Rats’ teeth grow constantly, which means that they have to keep chewing basically anything they come into contact with so that they can keep them under control. Oil marks are often another good sign of the presence of rats. When rats frequently traverse a particular area in search of food, they’ll leave oil and grease deposits from their fur on any surface that they brush against. These markings will often be darker in color and will likely be close to walls and baseboards.

When dealing with a rat infestation, identification and sanitation are the first two critical components. There are a number of measures a homeowner can take to discourage rats from entering their home in the first place. While keeping all food in sealed containers and cleaning up crumbs are important, it’s also an equally good idea to clean up debris around your yard. Rats love to hide under piles of wood or piles of leaves, and they can also use overgrown trees and bushes to climb up and enter your attic from above.

Cantu Pest & Termite is proud to be the first company in Texas to offer a Cantu Green Service to our customers in search of a more prevention-based solution to their pest removal and ongoing home pest management needs while minimizing the use of pesticides.

If rats or other pests have made unwanted appearances around your home or business, call Cantu Pest & Termite and schedule a rodent control appointment today with one of our friendly, experienced rat removal experts.