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You probably don’t consider what is happening inside your home’s walls or in the attic on an average day. However, if you ever experience a rat infestation, that may change.
In this article, we will run you through how you can detect a rat infestation in your walls or attics.
How Do Rats Get There?
Some rats, like the roof rat, are skilled climbers and will have no problem getting inside your home by scrambling up ivy and trellises or scampering over tree limbs. They can also squeeze through quarter-sized openings. That means they’ll probably find a method to enter your property if it has unprotected cracks or crevices.
The Damage Rats Can Cause
Rats can harm the structure and fixtures of your home, in addition to harboring germs that can spread illnesses to people. They may chew through electrical cables, which can result in home fires, and have been known to nest in insulation and ruin it.
What else is a rat capable of chewing? Rats have been known to damage metal and plastic pipes, timber beams and joists, and even soft concrete, so it would be more appropriate to ask what they won’t chew on. The damage these animals cause might have a severe financial impact on you.
Looking Out for the Signs of Rats
Unless you see a live or dead rat in your house, it can be challenging to determine whether you have a rat infestation. However, several signs suggest rats may have established a camp in your home, including:
- Squeaking or scrambling noises within the walls
- Sound of running or light footsteps, particularly at night
- Piles of waste on the ground, in the attic or basement, or behind a furnace.
- Gnawed-on food packaging, containers, or wooden spoons Rub scars, which resemble a buildup of dirt and grease
- Nests constructed of soft materials like furniture filling, crushed paper, or other things
- Faulty insulation
- Visibly chewed-on or gnawed-on ducts
However, other rodent pests, including mice, can enter your house and leave the same telltale symptoms behind. Because of this, it is advised that you get in touch with a reputable supplier of pest control services to assist in getting rats out of walls to find out whether you have rats in the walls.
Getting Rid of Rats in Your Walls
Because rats reproduce often, infestations can be challenging to manage. By taking proactive steps to help remove rats from walls, you may try to save yourself a lot of this hassle. These include:
- Examining your home’s exterior and patching any cracks or holes larger than one-fourth of an inch
- Keep tree branches and ivy away from your home.
- Keeping mounds of rubbish and firewood far from home will reduce possible hiding places.
- Adding substantial weather stripping to the bottom of doors or ensuring that they completely seal
- Use airtight containers to store food (this goes for pet food, too)
- Ensuring the closure of interior and outdoor trash cans
These are just ways you can avoid or prevent further infestations. However, hiring professional rodent removal services is best to ensure the rats are away from your home and your family is safe.
Conclusion
As we have listed in this article, there are several ways that you can detect rats in your walls. If you see rats, you can try to trap them or get rid of them with poison. However, it’s best to consult a rodent removal company to ensure you ultimately and safely get rid of them.
Are you in need of pest control in Bakersfield? RidX Pest Control offers protection against any types of pests in both residential and commercial areas. Get a free estimate today!
