Meerschweinchen have been a nuisance for hundreds of years. They enter thousands of homes and businesses every year. Rats carry diseases and parasites, and which can cause health issues for you and your family. Besides the health issues they can also cause serious property damage to your home. Rats in the attic can chew on wires which can causes fires. Rats are nocturnal animals so they are highly active at night. Unfortunately thats when most of us like to sleep. Being kept up at night is not fun. It can effects your personal and professional life. Your boss is not going to want to hear, “My Rats in the attic kept me up all night with their scratching”.
Now that we have scratched the surface on Rats, lets go over why they chose to make your home theirs. Rats are interested in only three things: Food, Shelter and Water. If you property supplies those three things a Rat sees prime real-estate. If your property doesn’t supply these three things there is not one far away. Rats do not travel that far to seek food and water from their nest. Rats like to stay hidden and stay in the shadows. Rats can’t really protect themselves from predators so they need a good sturdy structure to stay alive. Rats will often times travel in packs while searching for food.
Rats will use any means possible to gain access onto your roof. Rats are very good climbers and do not weigh very much so climbing vertically is not a challenge. Tree branches provide the easiest way to access your roof top due to branches growing too close to your roof. Rats may also use Gutters, Fences and Patio screens as other pathways. Rats are always trying to find a new home so keep a look out around the outside of your home to see if you may possibly be providing them with an easy access point to your home. Once on the roof they will find a way in or create one if one isn’t available. Most of the time Rats find an existing hole left from contractors that built your home such as gaps in stucco, soffit that is not finished or fascia boards that were never sealed. This happens in all types of construction. If you think your safe because your house is brand new, think again. Rats find these holes and enter your attic with out any struggle. So if a Rat makes a new hole, well then it really wanted to make a new home.
Most homes in Florida that we handle are built on a slab and there is no basement or crawlspace underneath the home. But there are a few by the coast or older homes where Rats can live underneath as well. Rats can find entry into walls from A/C lines that were never filled in with proper materials, or a cable man might of had to drill a hole that he forgot to seal when finished. Thats why it is important to have a proper inspection of your home to determine where these Rats can enter. Rat Control can be something very simple but you may have to be patient to catch and remove them all. Simple baits can be used to capture Rats. The most used bait professionals use is peanut butter not cheese or slim jims. Other scents can be used. You can use just about anything as long as it stays on the trap.
Remember rats are interested in three things: Water, Food and Shelter. Rats are attracted by almost anything. The Bird Feeder you placed on a tree to watch the birds in the morning while drinking your coffee is most likely attracting Rats. You can say ” Well I never see Rats in the Bird Feeder.” How often do you watch Birds after dark? The garbage container left open smells great to a Rat. Try not to leave food for pets outside. You don’t want your pet eating from a bowl a Rat used. Remember anything can be used as shelter. Keep trash and anything Wildlife may be tempted to eat stored properly.
