Are roof rats a major problem in Doylestown? Unfortunately, these rodents cause damage and fear regardless of where they are found. Considering their reputation, it is no surprise that people are anxious to engage the services of a pest management professional when they believe an infestation is occurring.
Too many residential and commercial property owners look the other way at the earliest signs of a roof rat infestation. The result is more widespread damage and greater exposure to deadly diseases. Why do people delay seeking roof rat control services?
The reasons are numerous. Some cannot believe their eyes when they see rat droppings or furniture that shows teeth marks. Others think that it is not possible that rats can enter the building. Still others may convince themselves that the problem is not rats at all. Perhaps it is a less threatening pest.
Other people take action when they think that roof rats are present, but their efforts are not comprehensive enough. The sad reality is that it is difficult to evict roof rats once they take up residence. These stubborn and resourceful pests are determined to keep living in residential and commercial buildings, and they will not leave until they are forced to do so.
While they remain, they cause increasingly severe structural damage and put people at greater risk for becoming dangerously ill.
This is why it is imperative that people contact a pest control company at the first sign of a roof rat problem.
WHAT DO ROOF RATS LOOK LIKE?
Thanks to their omnivorous eating habits, roof rats do not have too much trouble finding meals. When the season is right, they will feed on berries, fruits, nuts and seeds in great amounts. Snails and slugs may form a major portion of their diet, and it is not unusual for members of the species to feed on cockroaches and many other insects. Roof rats that live near bodies of water may routinely eat a variety of aquatic organisms as well as fish and shellfish.
Between dusk and dawn, roof rats are busy foraging and eating. They hoard food, which means that caches of seeds, nuts and other items may be found in various places in a building in which an infestation is occurring.
With their omnivorous eating behavior, roof rats have no difficulty finding food to eat in man-made structures. They are attracted by the smallest crumbs, and anything from bread to meat will be targeted.
WHAT DO ROOF RATS EAT?
When they are available, roof rats prefer to eat nuts, seeds, berries and fruits. Snails and slugs are consumed as well as a variety of other insects. Roof rats that nest close to bodies of water are known to eat fish and shellfish.
Roof rats are capable of surviving on an incredibly diverse array of foods, making them omnivorous. Human habitations provide them with an endless variety of meals. These may include peanut butter, cheese, baked goods, meat, jams, honey, grains and pet food. Roof rats may establish a food cache where supplies are stored.
WHERE DO ROOF RATS LIVE?
In the grand scheme of things, roof rats are relatively small. Moreover, they tend to be prey far more frequently than they are predators. This leads these animals to be very careful about where they nest. Outdoor nests are well concealed in places like woodpiles and anywhere that dense foliage is present. Tall trees are a favored nesting site as well, and if the roof rat can find a pile of refuse, it can look like the perfect place to call home.
Of course, roof rats do not only nest outside. They frequently make their way into buildings that are not pest proofed. Surprisingly agile, these rodents are adept at wriggling through very small openings. Once they are indoors, it is easy to find a place to nest, usually an attic, wall void or soffit.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ROOF RATS
Members of this species can be responsible for a shocking amount of structural damage. It can begin even before the rodent enters the building as it may gnaw on siding, shingles or other construction materials to get indoors. The damage to the building's components only spreads from there. Roof rats chew on rafters, wooden frames, masonry, bricks and more, causing extensive damage.
The animals do enter the places in which people live and work as well. This means that anything in these rooms could sustain damage. Examples include furniture, books, documents, storage cartons, clothing, towels, artwork and curtains. Frequently, textiles and insulation are shredded and then carried back to the nest to be used as lining.
Damage to rugs and carpets may be obvious, but not all of the damage that is caused by roof rats will be this apparent. As an example, these rodents will chew on plumbing and electrical lines. The damage may not be noticed immediately, but it can lead to water leaks and power outages.
ARE ROOF RATS AGGRESSIVE?
Equipped with teeth and claws, roof rats are ready to defend themselves. They will react with surprising fierceness in encounters with people, and these confrontations can result in scratches and bites that need medical attention. It is never advisable for people to intentionally corner a roof rat.
DO ROOF RATS CARRY DISEASE?
These pests carry and can transmit a startling number of sicknesses to people. Transmission may happen in numerous ways. For instance, touching a living or dead roof rat can make a person sick. Likewise, inhaling aerosolized rat droppings or urine can mean a trip to the doctor's office. When roof rats eat the food that is intended for people, they also leave behind bacteria and toxins that can easily make people ill.
In fact, food poisoning is the most common health issue that is associated with roof rat infestations in Doylestown. Food poisoning certainly is not the most serious illness that roof rats can spread. Murine typhus, trichinosis, the plague, toxoplasmosis and rat-bite fever are just a few of these. Property owners who want to ensure the health and safety of the people who inhabit their premises will want to take quick action to get rid of roof rats.
HOW TO DETECT ROOF RATS
Signs of a roof rat infestation include:
• Various surfaces and items show teeth marks • Grease stains on walls • People report seeing live or dead rats • Nests are discovered in attics and rafters • Waste products from rats are found indoors
HOW TO PREVENT ROOF RATS
To help prevent roof rat issues the following steps should be taken:
• Use pest-proof glass or metal containers to store food • Do not leave food on counters or tables • Clean up spills as they occur • Immediately put dirty dishes into the dishwasher instead of the sink • Make sure that garbage cans have tight lids • Routinely clean garbage cans • Make certain that roof rats cannot enter buildings by blocking holes and cracks • Do not allow foliage to make contact with building exteriors • Trim grass and plants to eliminate hiding places • Get rid of woodpiles and yard debris piles
HOW TO TREAT FOR RODENTS
Successful rodent control typically involves a series of steps, including trapping, poison baits, along with proper species identification.
Those who suspect a rodent problem should contact Newtown Termite & Pest Control. Our experienced pest control professionals know how to inspect a structure to determine the type and scope of the infestation involved. They will then execute the appropriate plan of action to resolve the specific rodent issue plaguing your home or business while identifying entry points to help protect against future problems.
