Rats are an especially problematic pest for Jacksonville homeowners to encounter. These rodents are extremely resourceful, and they are able to evade many DIY efforts to control them. They are frequently wary of new things in their environments, like traps.
For the highest level of rat control in Jacksonville, count on the team at Wildlife and Pest Control Experts. Our team has many years of experience helping homeowners. We take every step necessary to help you live a pest-free life. We even can provide same-day service in many instances.
The Rats That Live Around Jacksonville
Understanding the types of rats you may find at your Jacksonville property can be a key step in treating the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Norway rats can be up to 9.5 inches in length, excluding the tail. They have small eyes and ears.
Roof rats are up to 8 inches in length, excluding the tail. They tend to have large ears and eyes.
Pack rats resemble Norway rats, but they’re smaller, measuring about 8 inches in length without the tail.
At Wildlife and Pest Control Experts, we know how to deploy particular techniques that can help you get rid of rats that match the species you are seeing. We make use of proven techniques that we’ve used for years, but we are also always on the lookout for new research and treatment techniques that we can use to serve our customers even better.
What Sets Rats And Mice Apart?
Figuring out how to solve a rat problem is easier if you can be certain that you have an infestation of rats rather than an infestation of mice.
When comparing the two, rats are larger than mice, and they have much larger teeth on both the top and bottom jaws. They are able to gnaw and cause damage at much higher rates than mice.
Because you probably won’t see live mice or rats moving around your home, especially in the early days of an infestation, it may be easier to identify the type of rodent you have through droppings that you find. Mice droppings are about the size of rice, while rat droppings are closer in size to a raisin.
Why Rats Are Bad News For Jacksonville Homes
A rat infestation is particularly troublesome and dangerous for homeowners in Jacksonville because of the possibility of exposure to illness. You could suffer an exposure to diseases like salmonellosis, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever when you have these rodents inside your home.
Additionally, rats gnaw on wood and other structures in your home, as they need to regularly chew on things to wear down their teeth that constantly grow.
Rats are notoriously filthy animals, walking through trash and sewers. They then could contaminate your food, exposing you to illness.
Five Tips To Minimize Your Risk For Rat Activity
After our team at Wildlife and Pest Control Experts performs rat removal for you, you can take steps to reduce your risk of an additional infestation.
Keep your kitchen as clean as possible, eliminating sources of food for the rodents.
Don’t leave pet food indoors or outdoors, as it could draw rats to the area.
Clean up sources of moisture, like leaky pipes, broken faucets, and clogs in gutters.
Block holes in your foundation where rats could gain access to the home.
Replace weatherstripping on doors and windows to create a barrier to rat infestations.
Do not think you can simply put out a trap and prevent a reinfestation. These pests can multiply quickly when left on their own. At Wildlife and Pest Control Experts, we can return to your Jacksonville area property on a regular basis to look for signs of a reinfestation, protecting your home.
For a free inspection, reach out to our team today.