Rats are rather complex rodents. While many people detest them and only think of them as disgusting, some rat species make great pets and are domesticated. However, these aren’t the rat species that you’re going to find wild around your home. These wild rats can be quite dangerous and destructive, and they are also relatively common and invasive. Rats are some of the most widespread rodents, and they have become somewhat dependent on humans for their survival. To protect your home from rats, it’s essential to learn how to prevent them and where to get reliable pest control in Jacksonville for rodents.
How Big Can The Rats Get?
Rats and mice are both widespread, and they do have many similarities; however, rats are much bigger. There are two main wild rats in the area: Norway rats and roof rats. Norway rats, sometimes known as brown rats, are great swimmers. They are a brownish-gray color, and they can reach up to 16 inches long when including their tails. This makes them slightly larger than roof rats.
On the other hand, roof rats are usually dark brown to black. They are a bit slimmer in body shape and usually around 12 to 15 inches. They can climb quite well and often make their way onto rooftops and into attics.
Mice can also cause the same issues as rats, but they are noticeably smaller. They only reach about four to six inches, including their tails, and have more prominent, fur-covered ears and longer, thinner tails. Rats have shorter, scalier tails.
How Dangerous Is It To Have Rats On My Property?
Rats are more dangerous than you might realize. While not all rat infestations will lead to problems, they can pose health risks, so it’s important to be cautious. Rats spread illnesses such as hantavirus, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever. They can also cause allergies and asthma attacks. This is because even their fur, urine, and feces can make you sick.
For these reasons, it’s crucial to get rat control services to protect your home and family. This is where the team at Trad’s Pest Control comes in as we provide effective, reliable, and affordable pest control services.
Why Is It So Hard To Get Rid Of Rats?
Along with being dangerous, rats are also destructive and invasive. They can fit through holes the size of a quarter and chew through plastic, drywall, plaster, and more. This makes keeping them out a challenge, and once they get inside, they can breed quickly. It’s difficult to control rat infestations without help. They can also survive on small bits of food, and they can live inside the walls or in other hard-to-reach areas. While bait and trap products might get some of the rats, they won’t remove the entire infestation.
Instead of implementing rat control on your own, let the pest control professionals help. Just give Trad’s Pest Control a call today to learn more or request an inspection.