Rodents are a prevalent pest problem in The Villages and the surrounding areas as they can cause property damage and also pose health risks. Both mice and rats are common home-invading species that often cause big problems for home and business owners.
When it comes to rats, there are two main species in Minneola, Florida, and these are roof rats and Norway rats. Roof rats, also commonly referred to as black rats or ship rats, are known for finding their way into attics, roofs, or the upper levels of buildings as they are great climbers.
You can identify roof rats by their dark brown to black coloring and the fact that they have scaly tails and large ears and eyes. They are slightly smaller than Norway rats and can get to be about 16 inches long including their tails. While it can be difficult to tell rats apart from mice, remember that common house mice are smaller and have brownish-grey fur and more pointed, triangular faces.
What Are The Risks Of Roof Rats?
Just Like Norway rats and species of mice, roof rats can cause many problems around your property. They need to constantly gnaw to keep their teeth from growing too large, and they can chew through many materials including plastic, drywall, and wood. They often ruin electrical wiring and plumbing.
Plus, roof rats can cause many health problems for humans. They can carry many diseases such as rat-bite fever, tularemia, and salmonellosis, and they can also carry parasites such as fleas and ticks that spread other illnesses. Roof rats can also cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and asthma attacks.
And, if all of these problems weren’t bad enough, these rats are also particularly hard to get rid of because of their great climbing ability. Roof rats are invasive and can reproduce quickly. Their ability to hide in many places and create holes by chewing makes them especially challenging to remove.
What Are Tips For Preventing Roof Rats?
The best way to go about protecting your home or business from roof rat infestations is by taking preventive steps. It can be difficult to completely deter rats because they can slip through holes the size of a quarter, but you can still follow measures that make your property less appealing and harder to access, including:
- Fill up any holes or cracks in exterior walls and foundations.
- Make sure that all windows and vents have screens.
- Keep trees and shrubbery that are close to the exterior of the building trimmed.
- Store pet food in airtight containers.
- Place chimney caps on any chimney openings.
- Make sure that all trash cans are covered with lids.
- Clean up food and drink spills, and keep kitchen areas clean.
What’s The Best Way To Handle A Roof Rat Infestation?
If you’ve noticed roof rats or other rodents around your Minneola home or business, the safest and most effective way to remove them is by contacting the experts at Bertram Pest Solutions.
We have over 20 years of experience handling problems with rodents, and we also offer ongoing commercial and residential pest control plans that are the best way to prevent rats. Request your free inspection by calling us at (352) 608-5010.