Rat Identification & Prevention

Rats are rodents and, along with mice, one of the most common rodents to invade human structures. From nose to tip of the tail, rats in our region grow between 15 and 17 inches. Other physical features include a pointed snout, powerful jaws, and ears that are void of hair. People also identify rats by their long hairless, scaly tails.

Adult rats are much larger than adult mice, though young rats can sometimes be confused with adult mice. If you are ever concerned about rats on your property, it is always best to partner with a professional to accurately identify your unwanted guests.

All rodents have front incisors that continuously grow throughout their lives. A rat’s front incisors are large and chisel-like, and it can use those teeth to cause damage to anything it can wrap its mouth around.

Rats in our homes cause structural damage by chewing on wires, pipes, drywall, insulation, flooring, cabinets, and trim. They also chew holes in and damage clothing, furniture, rugs, books, and other personal items.

As if the damage that rats can cause isn’t enough, rats pose a significant health risk. Rats are vectors of many diseases that make people ill, carry and spread parasites like fleas and ticks, and produce allergens that can trigger allergies and asthma attacks.

Not sharing your home with rats is best for the health and safety of your family and the structure of your house.

Rats are wild animals that have learned to benefit by creating a close relationship with people. They pay particular attention to our yards and homes when their outdoor habitats no longer provide safe shelter, easy access to food, or there is harsh weather.

A rat’s curious nature and intelligence allow them to easily find and take advantage of openings that lead into our Rochester homes. Some of their most common entry points include holes along the roofline or roof intersections, gaps around windows and doors, cracks in the foundation, and chimneys or vents.

Different types of rats prefer different habitats. Some rats are skilled climbers and spend their time in trees and on the roofs of buildings. Other rats like to keep their feet on the ground and burrow under things like woodpiles, foundations, and construction debris.

If they decide to move indoors and use our homes as a place of refuge, they retreat to areas that offer them a dark, dry, quiet environment like attics, basements, the backs of closets, wall voids, and crawl spaces.

When rats find their way to your Rochester property, it is always best to reach out to a local rat control expert for assistance. Because rats are wild animals, skilled experts are the best defense against these intruders. At RodentX, we will provide you with the removal, repair, and exclusion services necessary to eliminate your rat infestation and stop them from returning. For exceptional rat control in Rochester, contact the professionals at RodentX!

We want to help you keep rats away from your Rochester home; use the following prevention tips to make your property less attractive to opportunistic rats.

• Use steel wool or metal flashing that can stand up to a rat’s strong teeth to repair holes and gaps in your home’s exterior.
• Install door sweeps on all exterior doors.
• Install chimney caps and place mesh covers over vents and drains leading into your house. 
• Cut back tree branches and shrubbery away from your home.
• Remove woodpiles, construction debris, and other yard debris that offer rats harborage sites.
• Remove their easy access to food by keeping lids on trash cans, picking up uneaten pet food, maintaining vegetable gardens, and keeping outdoor eating areas free of leftover food.

If you are ever concerned that there are rats inside the walls of your home, reach out to RodentX today!