Have you ever walked into the basement to grab do laundry or turned the lights on in your garage and seen a pair of beady eyes staring back at you? Or maybe you hear something scurrying, scratching in the wall. If so, you probably had a rodent problem. One of the most common rodents we see in Arlington, VA is rats, specifically the roof rat or the Norway rat. If you are looking for Arlington rat control, then this article is for you.
Rats look cute, but they are dangerous and destructive. They can spread diseases as well as cause fires. They also require professional Arlington pest control to treat. If you are worried about rats in your home or want to ensure you have pest protection to keep your home rat-free, call us today at My Pest Pros and let us get to work for you.
Hiding Spots Rats Will Find In Your Home
Rats in Arlinton are an intelligent species. They are survivors. Rats are great at adapting to their environment. They know where to find food, water, and shelter around your home or business.
Roof rats live in colonies. They prefer to nest in the elevated parts of homes and buildings, like rafters, attics, and gaps in your roof. They also live in voids underneath buildings. Outside, roof rats hide inside wood or debris piles. They are also found in areas with dense vegetation.
Norway rats are common in Arlington, VA as well as Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. They are also social animals that live in colonies. Inside homes, Norway rats will usually nest in basements. Debris piles offer great hiding locations for Norway rats to nest. Outside they commonly burrow in the ground, lobe in and under woodpiles, and under concrete slabs.
Are The Rats In Arlington Hard To Get Rid Of?
Yes! Rats are one of the most challenging pests to handle on your own. Getting rid of rats takes time, knowledge, and experience. One reason rats are hard to get rid of is that they can be difficult to find. It is rare to see a rat in your home. When you see a rat in your home, it is usually a sign that you have a significant rat infestation.
Rats are also difficult to eliminate because of how quickly they breed. One female rat can give birth to between 40 and 48 pups a year. A couple of rats in your home can grow exponentially in just a few months. So if you don't get all rats out of your home, the population can explode pretty quickly. You can't wait when it comes to Arlington rat control.
Five Ways To Deter Rats From Your Property
A couple of rats can turn into an infestation quickly. You want to get rid of rats as quickly as possible to break the rat reproduction cycle and protect your family and home.
Here are five rat prevention tips to help:
- Seal cracks and crevices using caulk or steel wool
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from your roof and walls
- Limit food attractants by storing garbage in sealed trash cans and picking up any fruit that falls in your yard
- Eliminate areas of moisture around your home
- Clean up areas of clutter in your home and remove outdoor harborage areas like piles of construction and landscape debris
Limiting rats' access to food, water, and shelter, will keep rats away from your Arlington home.
Professional Rodent Control For Arlington
While these are steps you can take on your own to prevent rats, the best solution is to partner with My Pest Pros for professional rodent control. My Pest Pros is an expert at Arlington Pest Control. We can inspect your home for signs of rodents, identify areas where rodents are hiding, and quickly eliminate a rodent infestation. We will also work with you to perform rodent exclusion services to keep the rats out of your home. Call us today at 703-665-4455 or contact us to schedule your rodent Arlington rat control.