What would you rather find inside your home, a rat or a mouse? Most people would probably choose a mouse. Why? Because they might assume that mice pose less of a threat due to their smaller size and objectively cuter appearance. Learn more about the true dangers of rats and decide once and for all which type of rodent is more problematic. This is what you need to know.
What Kind Of Rats Live In Mobile?
Mobile is home to roof rats and brown rats (aka Norway rats). Of these two pests, roof rats are smaller and regularly mistaken for mice for their lighter body and more pointy facial features. Norway rats, on the other hand, are a fair amount bigger, have larger rumps, and are everything you expect to see when you hear the word “rat.”
How Do Rats Get Into Homes?
When it comes to invading homes, both roof rats and Norway rats are quite skilled. Both are able to climb and jump considerable distances for their size. They also have incredibly sharp and strong front incisor teeth which they regularly use to gnaw through materials such as cardboard, plaster, wood, plastic, vinyl, soft concrete, and aluminum.
Why Rats Invade Homes?
Getting into homes is easy for rats, however, getting the idea to come inside only comes with certain factors. If your home has cracks or gaps in its exterior, rats might be drawn in by a warm current of air on a cold winter day. They might also come inside because they smelled something tasty cooking. On some occasions, rats will wander inside when they find easily accessed entry points in a home’s exterior.
Are Rats More Dangerous Than Mice?
Rats and mice both pose the same threats to humans. Each spreads dangerous diseases through their fecal matter, urine, and the pathogens on their bodies. Each carries fleas and ticks into homes, two parasitic pests that also spread sicknesses. The only difference between rats and mice is how quickly they reproduce. Both are prolific breeders, however, mice produce young at nearly three times the pace. This makes them slightly more dangerous simply for the fact that they pose more individual threats to human health. Here are a few diseases you might contract from a rodent or one of the pests they carry.
- Salmonellosis
- Hantavirus
- Rat-bite fever
- Leptospirosis
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
- Tularemia
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Murine typhus
How To Stop Rats From Invading Your Property
There are three main things that draw rats onto properties and encourage them to invade homes: entry points, harborage opportunities, and available food/water sources. To reduce your chances of finding these invasive pests around your living areas, here are a few quick prevention tips to try.
- Clean your yard of clutter and debris.
- Trim your grass and landscaping regularly.
- Eliminate sources of water build-up around your property.
- Make sure your gutters are in good working order.
- Address leaky piping and fixtures around your home.
- Fill in holes and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation using some steel wool and a caulking gun.
- Repair damage to window/door screens.
- Keep unscreened windows and doors closed as much as possible.
- Keep your home clean.
- Store food inside airtight containers.
The Profesional Approach To Rodent Control
Do you need an infestation of rats removed from your home? Maybe you are looking for a better way to keep these pests out year-round. Whatever pest problems you need solved, we have your answers here.
Give us a call today to discover your best option for quality pest control and schedule an appointment for your Mobile property.