What You Need To Know About Rat Control In Dallas

When rats come into your yard, there are a few things you'll need to know. You'll want to know the different rats that enter Dallas yards and what warning signs they leave on your property for you to find. You'll need to know how to interpret the signs of rats that you find and what risks these rodents present to those who live in your household. Once you evaluate your issues, you'll need to decide on a safe and effective solution to get rid of the rats. We're going to cover all of these topics today and also tell you what you can do to keep rats away from your property if you don't have rats in your home yet or you want to keep rats out of your home after you've addressed an infestation. If you need advice, feel free to contact us. Your Dallas pest control experts are happy to help. Jump to our contact page for assistance.

How To Tell If It's Rats Hanging Around Your Home

Rats are secretive. Do you know why? It is because they prefer nocturnal activity and they hide in dark places during the day. If you want to catch rats on your Dallas property, you'll likely need to use a flashlight.

If you see a rat, there are one of two rats you'll find. First, black rats are roof rats. In nature, they live in the trees. When they get into structures, they tend to climb on roofs and live in rafters. They'll also take up residence in an attic. Then there are brown rats, which are Norway rats. They're also sometimes called ground rats. The reason is that they like to dig burrows in the ground and establish their nests underground. Unfortunately, they can get into homes and create nests in walls. Catching a glimpse of either of these two rats will provide some idea of what you're up against inside or around your Dallas home. But what do you do when you don't see them? 

City rats are domestic rodents. They live in close association with humans. Unfortunately, they have learned how to behave when they explore our yards and get into our homes. These rodents leave their droppings everywhere. While kind of gross, those droppings can alert you to a rodent problem and let you know that rats are hanging out around your home. Rat droppings are black, shiny, and moist. They are generally twice the size of mouse droppings, which are slightly smaller than grains of rice. You'll find these droppings along your foundation and in sheltered locations, such as under a back deck.

Another way you may detect rat activity is by finding grease marks. Rats have greasy fur and they leave marks as they run with their sides rubbing on foundation walls and other surfaces. They also leave grease marks on pipes that run underneath structures. If you have a crawl space with pipes, check them for grease marks. If you find marks that are dark, it is a warning sign that there is high traffic. You may also see a group of rats hiding down there, so be cautious.    

Rats Cause Property Damage And Spread Diseases

We don't like to think about it, but rats aren't harmless critters. While it is rare to hear about rats attacking humans, there are many other ways they are harmful. As you consider what to do about rats in or around your home, you need to understand the risks related to rat infestations.

• Droppings are a source of disease contamination. When cleaning up rat droppings, always wear a respirator and rubber gloves.
• The hair from rats can contaminate the areas rats explore, particularly locations where food is stored.
• Rats carry ticks and fleas, which are able to transmit diseases. Not every tick and flea is infected, but the diseases they're able to spread are worth guarding against.
• Rats have strong teeth, and they use those teeth to chew on building materials. The holes they create can allow secondary pests and rainwater into your home. Moisture can cause wood decay and lead to mold problems. Secondary pests may sting or bite.
• Rats chew on wiring in walls and are considered a fire hazard.
• When rats live in attic spaces, they destroy stored items, rip up insulation, damage building materials, and cause contamination.

In light of the many ways rats can impact your health and damage your property, it is best to use effective solutions to prevent property damage and protect your family from the diseases rats carry.    

The Safe And Effective Way To Get Rid Of Rats

It is always best to contact a licensed pest management professional to address rat problems. Rodent control and exclusion is a science. A pest professional is trained in the systematic application of field-tested methods. If you're in Dallas, consider contacting All-Safe Pest & Termite. We use Integrated Pest Management which leverages advancements in pest control sciences with several other disciplines, such as carpentry and handyman skills.

• We inspect your property and look for rat activity, routes the rats are using, potential entry points, conducive conditions, and other factors that relate to your rat control problem.
• We share our findings with you and guide you in selecting a control plan that works best for your specific needs and budgetary constraints. One size does not fit all.
• We use all-natural solutions first, such as an application of professional-grade materials to seal entry points rats are using to get in.
• We use several products to remove rats from your home and apply them according to strict protocols.
• We use products and methods to evaluate the success of your rat control program so that we're able to let you know when no rats remain in the structure.
• We perform the necessary follow-up so that you are guaranteed to get the results you want.

You don't have to live with rats in your Dallas home. Get effective rat control by reaching out to All-Safe Pest & Termite for professional options. When the rats are gone (or long before they get inside), it is time to think about rat prevention. We have some great tips to help you.       

Five Simple Tips To Prevent Future Rat Problems Around Your Home

Every property is different, but there are certain prevention tips that work for all properties. The primary difference is that you may have an easier or harder time keeping rats away depending on rodent pressures on your property and the conducive conditions present.

• Remove obvious food sources that attract rats. These critters eat seeds that fall from bird feeders and also climb up and eat seeds right out of the feeders. They'll eat nuts that fall from trees, just like squirrels do. Clean nuts up routinely to reduce this food option.
• Protect fruit on the bow. If you have fruit trees, you can expect trouble with rats. A trick to keep rats from eating your fruit is to band your tree trunks with sheet metal. Rats can't grip the surface of sheet metal and are unable to get past metal bands that are about a foot and a half high.
• Remove ground objects. Rats have poor eyesight and must use objects on the ground to navigate. They're able to use these objects in absolute darkness to easily traverse open spaces. But a yard that is free of any ground objects will feel daunting to rats, so they may find other more cluttered yards to explore.
• Remove routes rats prefer to use. They'll climb trees and use branches to jump onto your roof. Trim branches to prevent this. They'll climb up pipes on the sides of your home. Install guards to stop them. They'll work their way up your downspouts. Stuff something in there that will keep rats out while still allowing rainwater to run out.
• Seal gaps and potential entry points. A caulking gun, some expanding foam, and a foundation repair kit can help you get your exterior in tip-top shape. Seal the smallest of holes. Rats can make tiny holes large enough to enter. They are able to squeeze through gaps the size of a quarter. 

If rat pressures are high and you have difficulty addressing conducive conditions, keep in mind that All-Safe Pest & Termite can install tamper-resistant bait traps to cull rodent populations on your property. Fewer rats will lead to fewer indoor problems. We can also help you identify and address conducive conditions. Our technicians are licensed, trained, and experienced. They also have access to industry experts to find answers when rats do things that are unexpected, which can happen.

Do you have a rat problem in Dallas? Are you hoping not to have a rat problem? In either case, we're here to help you find the rodent control solutions that meet your needs. Give us a call, drop us a line on our contact page, or text us. We'll walk you through the process and help you get the answers to your rat control questions.