Rats are the most common pest rodent in U.S. homes and one of the most destructive. The most common rats in Northeast Florida is the roof rat (aka palm rat, black rat, fruit rat, ship rat). The high humidity and proximity to coastline is a perfect habitat for the roof rat.

Jacksonville residents can also encounter the Norway rat and the wood rat. Adept at hiding, rats can infest your home without your knowledge.

Here’s what you need to know about a rat infestation. Plus, how to get rid of rats.

Rat Pest Control

Rats in the House

Rats crave the safety of a shelter. When a rat sees your home, it’s a shining beacon of safety that offers a steady supply of food and water.

Typically, rats make their way into your home through chimneys, exposed utility wire openings, or gaps in your roof tiles. All they need to get inside is a 1-inch hole. If there’s not a convenient opening to squeeze through, they can gnaw at smaller holes until they fit.

Once inside, rats tend to stay out of your daily path. Depending on your home, they might set up shop in the basement, crawl space, attic, walls, or another cozy spot.

Signs of Rat Infestation

The most common types of rat found in Jacksonville are the Norway rat and roof rat. Woodrats and palm rats are also present but less prevalent as pest animals.

Although rats can quickly establish a large presence in your home, they can be difficult to spot. Their natural tendency to avoid humans leads them to scamper around your home, just out of sight.

Rat Droppings
Rat Noises
Rub Marks along Walls
Electrical Issues from Frayed Wires
Unexplained Water Damage from Rat Damage
Holes and Runways in Insulation

After hearing a potential rat on the loose, a careful look around your home could uncover physical clues of a rodent problem. You might find droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, smudge marks on the walls, or even a nest!

Problems with Rats

When you have rats in your home, they can cause damage and bring diseases.

Rats can reproduce quickly. In fact, a female Norway rat can produce 3 to 6 litters per year, with up to 12 young in each litter. So, a small rat problem can spiral out of control quickly. If you have a rat infestation on your hands, don’t hesitate to call in professional help. An experienced expert can help you spot the problem and find a solution for your property.

Rat Damage

Electrical Wires

In terms of physical damage, rats are known to gnaw at the structure of your home and electrical wires. Chewed electrical wires are estimated to be the cause of up to 20% of undetermined fires in the U.S. every year.

Water Damage

A rat infestation can lead to water damage. The rodents will gnaw on pipes which can cause leaks. Rat entry holes can also let rain water drip inside your house.

Rat Nests

Once rodents have entered your house and located sources of food and water, they will start building a nest. Rats use anything they can to build a nest—paper, clothes, insulation, you name it. Rats might even start chewing drywall and wiring in their efforts to build a nest; this can cause significant damage to your home and even increase the likelihood of a house fire.

Health Hazards

Beyond damage to your home, rats spread dozens of diseases. A few of the diseases a rat might bring into your home include rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, and leptospirosis.

In many cases, a disease is spread when you ingest contaminated food. Rats and mice eat or contaminate at least 20% of the world’s food supply each year. So, if you suspect that a rodent has been roaming around your kitchen, don’t eat anything that could be contaminated.

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Rat Pest Control

Rat trapping

Rat Exclusion

Remediation