Rat, Mouse, and Rodent Removal

We often use the terms “rats” and “mice” interchangeably, although when it comes to rat removal, these two four-legged creates are actually quite different. So, let’s first offer a primer on rats and mice, so that you know the difference.

1. Size: Rats are much larger than mice and can grow to 15 inches in length, whereas a mouse typically hits the tape measure at between five and eight inches.
2. Tails: Rats have hairless, scaly tails, while mice have thin, hair tails.
3. Ears: Rats have stiff, upright ears, while mice have large, floppy ears.
4. Face: Rats have short whiskers and a blunt snout, while mice have longer whiskers and a triangular snout.

While there are more than 60 species of rats, the two most common species that are the target of rat removal. Wherever you’ll find plenty of food and water, you’re likely to also find one of these two rodents.

Markings and Behavior of Rats

• 13 to 15 inches in length.
• Reddish, grayish-brown, or black with a gray underside.
• Inactive during daylight hours.
• Will eat nearly anything found near discarded food.
• Known to eat fish, poultry, mice, birds, and small reptiles.
• Females produce four to seven litters per year, with eight to 12 pups per litter.

If you encounter a Norway rat, you should call a company such as ATS Control that specializes in rat removal.

Roof rats are also called grey-bellied rats and are more agile and acrobatic of the two species. Roof rats may enter your home or office by climbing trees and finding entry points through your attic, ceiling, or other above-ground spaces. Like the general rat, roof rats are nocturnal, with peak activity occurring at dawn or at dusk. If you see or hear a roof rat during the day, it might indicate you have a large rat population. Call a rat removal expert immediately.

Markings and Behavior of Roof Rats

• Seven to 10 inches in length.
• Grayish-black fur to solid-black fur.
• Eats fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts.
• Females produce four to six litters per year, with five to eight pups per litter.

Rats like to burrow, bite, and gnaw at insulation, wiring, and wood – which produce gashes and holes that allow more rats and other pest to enter your home. Inspect your property often for signs of rat activity, while also taking the following steps:

• Seal holes and cracks greater than ¼ inch on the interior and exterior.
• Install weather-stripping on the bottom of exterior doors.
• Trim branches and limbs from trees and bushes that provide a bridge to your home.
• Remove rotting or decaying wood from your property.
• Use metal flashing, ¼-inch wire mesh, or hardware cloth to seal gutters and vents, which deprive rats of an obvious entry point.

Burrows or nests are yet another sign of a rat problem. While gnaw marks provide evidence that you might have a rat or two, a large number of droppings may signal an infestation. Whether dealing with a single rat or a rat colony, it’s always best to rely on a professional rat removal company.

Certainly, we recommend taking do-it-yourself steps – such as the ones above – to prevent rodents of any type from entering your home, rat populations can grow from a few to a few dozen rather quickly – especially if an adult female has built a home inside your house. Given a rat’s ability to spread disease, this may be the time to call for professional rat removal help.

As always, it’s much easier to prevent a rat infestation than to treat one. So, here are 10 things you can do to reduce your chance of having to call a professional rat removal company.

1. Mitigate odors and food waste: Rats usually find their way into places that provide feeding opportunities. The smell from your garbage may attract them, as will the odor from old food in your cupboards or refrigerator.
2. Get rid of old food: Make sure that you always immediately throw out any food that is past its expiration date.
3. Go on lockdown: Check to see that pantry doors and trash can lids close properly.
4. Keep an eye on pet food: Remove anything left in open dishes once your pet has finished feeding and store any food in airtight containers when it isn’t in use.
5. Only eat in specified areas: If your family frequently eats in bedrooms, food will inevitably fall behind headboards and under beds, attracting rats.
6. Vacuum and dust regularly: Make sure that you move your furniture and get in the corners of your home to clean up all the old food and sticky dust that may be attractive to rats.
7. Seal off entrances: Inspecting the foundation of your home. Look for gaps or holes that may be large enough for a rat to enter. You can block off those entry points with expandable foam or mesh.
8. Check your doors and windows: This is especially important when the seasons change, is this is the time when doors and windows may warp and leave gaps large enough for rats to crawl through.
9. Inspect your roof: Make sure your vents, shingles, or chimneys do not allow access to your attic. Cap the chimney when it is not being used, fix any holes that might be in your vents, and make sure your roof is in good repair in general.
10. Inspect your basement: Holes or cracks around your plumbing are easy entry points for rats. Make sure these small openings are all sealed up and that you also have proper sealant on your basement door.

At the first sign of a rat problem, you should call a professional rat removal company. Rats present multiple heath risks and rat populations can grow rapidly. For these reasons, we don’t recommend a DIY approach for rat removal.

Rats do not have to bite you to make you sick; mere exposure to rat waste is the cause of many debilitating diseases. Rat urine, for example, is one of the leading causes of leptospirosis, a condition that can cause severe kidney and liver damage among humans. Other diseases that are specifically carried by rats include, but are not limited to:

• Salmonellosis: A disease that can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, intense vomiting, and fever. Symptoms can begin as soon as 12 hours after exposure.
• Weil’s disease: A severe form of leptospirosis, caused by the same bacteria. If leptospirosis reaches this stage, you will likely have to be hospitalized. Severe reactions may occur in the lungs, heart, and brain if the bacteria reach those organs.
• Rat bite fever: A disease that can be passed to humans from rat urine or mucus. It is also known as epidemic arthritic erythema, streptobacillosis, streptobacillary fever, sodoku, and spirillary fever. Symptoms may include chills, fever, and intense vomiting.
• The plague: Can be spread through airborne contact in extremely unsanitary areas. The bubonic plague, one of the world’s longest-lasting rodent-borne illnesses, is only one manifestation of this disease.

Because of the seriousness of these health risks, it is best to call a professional rat, mice and rodent exterminator when you first identify a rat problem.