An experienced Alexandria pest control company such as My Pest Pros has trained technicians who understand the dangers and risks of rats and know how to get rid of rats quickly.
Rats are omnivorous scavengers that will eat practically anything. They love the foods that humans eat as well as pet food. Development throughout the Washington, D.C. region has pushed rats out of more densely populated areas into the suburbs. Cooler weather is also a time of year that rats may seek shelter inside.
Common Types Of Rats In Alexandria, VA
Norway rats and roof rats are the most common rats in Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. region. Of these, Norway rats are the most common rats in Alexandria, VA. Norway rats are sometimes referred to as sewer rats. Their brown bodies can measure up to nine inches. Their bellies are lighter and grey or white. Norway rats typically stay close to the ground and enter homes through lower entryways.
Roof rats usually enter homes through higher points of entry in roof areas. They will use tall shrubs and tree branches to access roofs. Roof rats are often darker in color and can be six to eight inches in length. Both Norway rats and Roof rats can easily climb, but Roof rats are excellent climbers.
How Can I Tell If I Have Rats?
Rats are more active at night when they are less likely to be seen. Homeowners may hear them scurrying in the attic or around the ground. Rats prefer to nest in clutter, such as under piles of rocks, or burrows in the ground. Rat burrows look like larger holes in the ground. Like mice, rats can also burrow in attic insulation. Decluttering and removing areas that rats can find attractive can help to prevent rat infestations.
Rat droppings are larger than those of mice, which are about the size of a grain of rice. Adult rat droppings can measure about ½ of an inch.
Inside a home, the most common areas to find rats is kitchens, basements, garages, and attics. These areas have food sources and good areas for nesting. Pet food, especially dry dog food, is especially attractive to rats. If you are seeing signs of rats, you need rat pest control in Alexandria, VA.
Dangers Of Rats In Alexandria, VA
The idea of rats crawling around your home is enough to gross out most people. But rats are also a leading safety and health concern.
Rats are one of the most dangerous pests in Alexandria, VA. The World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and other health organizations credit rat pest control for saving millions of lives around the world. Health risks associated with rats include leptospirosis, salmonella, tularemia, rat-bite fever.
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite rats carry that can cause infections in dogs and cats.
Rats are destructive creatures. Rats will chew through materials including concrete and metal. Chewed wires have also led to deadly fires. As they damage homes, rats will find materials such as insulation, fabric, and paper from walls, attics, and packaging to use in building their nests.
DIY Rats Control Tips
The first step in effective rat control is determining how they are getting inside your home.
- Inspect and seal these gaps to prevent further entry.
- Remove and seal food sources.
- Eliminate conditions such as tall grasses, trash, and piles of rocks and debris that can provide attractive conditions for rats to hide or nest.
Do-It-Yourself Rat Control Fails
As previously mentioned, rat control is difficult and one of the most challenging pests to eliminate. Products sold in home improvement stores, and online, and numerous videos make DIY rat control sound easy. The reality is that we receive calls from many frustrated homeowners who have spent lots of time and money trying to solve rodent problems on their own.
Retail solutions are often good for minor rodent issues, but DIY rat control is not effective for larger infestations. Many homeowners miss the signs and entry points to prevent further rat infestations. Improper use of retail products can make matters worse and the problem more difficult to solve. Rats are smart creatures and learn to avoid traps and baits when not properly placed. Many homeowners misapply pest products. Not only can this make your rodent problem worse, but it can put children, pets and other animals, and the environment at risk from these traps and bait.
Store-bought products for rodents are also often fine in unique situations or when the property conditions are perfect. Homeowners often struggle with DIY pest control solutions when using these products in their homes, which is different from the ideal conditions used in testing. A professional pest control company will use different products based on the conditions and situation. Professional rat exterminators also have years of experience, training, and licensing needed for effective rat control.
Professional Rat Control in Alexandria, VA
My Pest Pros has the experience and solutions to get rid of rats and mice in your home. Our trained technicians will create a custom treatment plan to eliminate rats and other pests from your home. Call us today at 703-665-4455 or visit us online at MyPestPros.com.
About My Pest Pros Professional Exterminators in VA, MD, and DC
My Pest Pros is a top-rated Alexandria, VA pest control company. We provide service for homeowners and businesses in Alexandria as well as surrounding areas of Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.