Rats Are Highly Adaptable & Tenacious Pests

Thanks to their ability to consume a wider variety of food, as well as their ability to withstand temperature changes, brown rats were able to spread around the world and prove to be tenacious pests to this day. Both types of rats have proven to be significant pests, particularly in rural areas and on farms where they have a tendency to spoil stored crops through both consumption and disease.

Black rats are unique in that they affect their habitat, be it urban or rural, in both positive and negative ways. It’s a well-documented fact that black rats have a tendency to drive out or displace any species that were already occupying that habitat, carving out their own ecological niche in the process.

This phenomenon usually leads to an increase in completion among small species, which may in turn lead to the displacement of even more species. However, despite its tendency to displace some native species, they can also increase species population density and add to the diversity of their gene pool.

In populated and built-up areas, black rats have been known to nest in warehouses, residential buildings, and basically, any other human structure that provides ready access to food and water. These pests commonly seek out dryer environments like the upper floors of buildings as well as the cavities of walls.

Not unlike mice, black rats create their nests from shredded materials and other detritus like leaves, sticks, paper materials, cloth, and various vegetation. Rats and other rodents frequently nest in trees when living in the wild in an effort to avoid most types of ground-dwelling predators.

Black rats have been known to carry all manner of extremely serious bacteria and viruses, most notably plague, and can actually spread these diseases through a variety of means, including physical contact, bite, or by fleas that may be feeding on it. Rats contaminating food or food preparation areas are also not uncommon.

When determining if there actually is an infestation in a given area, the first sign is to correctly identify the offending rodent. Black rats have hairless, scaly tails which are longer than their bodies and are used for balance and grip when climbing. Naturally, an infestation of black rats in the home or workspace is an extremely serious problem, but there are a number of warning signs which may allow you to catch the infestation before it gets out of control.

Rat droppings are obviously a major signpost, as are the appearance of grease marks along the surfaces of walls, which are produced when the oils on a rat’s fur are deposited as it traverses an area.

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 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 an appointment today with one of our friendly, experienced rat removal experts.