Pest Spotlight: How To Handle A Rat Infestation In Tucson

A rat is the last thing you want to see in your home. These unsanitary rodents are both destructive and dangerous to have around. Unfortunately, rat infestations are a common problem for many homes and businesses in Tucson. But fortunately, Conquistador Pest & Termite knows how to solve this dangerous problem. We have been providing customized pest control in Tucson for decades, and we know the next step you should take to eliminate rats from your home.

How To Tell If It's Rats Scurrying Around Your House

Rats in Tucson are sly creatures that try to avoid humans and pets as much as possible. They can sneak into some of the most hard-to-reach crevices of your house to stay out of sight. Even if you can't see rats scurrying around your home, there are still a few ways to tell if these destructive rodents are around. Some of the telltale signs to look out for include:

• Seeing holes in your walls, cabinets, furniture, purses, backpacks, and any other non-metal or glass object.
• Finding rat droppings around your home that look like small, black ovals that measure about ¾ of an inch.
• Finding paper and clothing shredded and wadded up into a ball to make a nest.
• Hearing high-pitched squeaks or scratching sounds coming from your walls or ceiling.

Rats crawl through dirt, garbage, and other unsanitary areas. When they travel through your home, they will often run along the walls and baseboards because they have poor eyesight. Over time, you may notice dark rub marks on your wall from the dirt and oils rubbing off their bodies and staining the walls.

Rats Can Damage Property And Spread Dangerous Diseases

Rats are dangerous and destructive creatures. They will chew on anything and everything they can get their mouths on, including wires connecting your electrical devices to the outlet. They can also get in between your walls and chew on the electrical wiring there, which can cause a potentially dangerous fire hazard. 

Rats are also known to spread a wide range of diseases and illnesses. In fact, it was thought that rats were the leading cause of the infamous bubonic plague during the Middle Ages. It turns out it was the fleas that rats carried causing the so-called "Black Death." While the rats in your home probably won't start the next epidemic, there are some serious illnesses that you could catch from these rodents, which include:

• Hantavirus
• Salmonellosis
• Rat-bite fever
• Leptospirosis
• Monkeypox
• Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)

You don't have to come in direct contact with a rat to catch these deadly diseases. Most of the time, the transmission of these illnesses happens through contact with the rat's urine and fecal matter. 

How To Remove Factors That Attract Rats To Your Home

Rats will come into your home seeking shelter, food, and water. To keep your home rat-free, you will need to make these necessities inaccessible to them. Some of the things you can do to prevent rats from coming into your home include the following:

• Seal up any cracks or small openings that you see around your house.
• Keep a tight lid on your outdoor trash cans.
• Keep your pet food and all other dry foods in metal or glass containers with tightly-sealed covers.
• Keep your grass cut short and remove any tree limbs or other debris from your yard that rats can use as a hiding spot.

You should also keep your house tidy and free of clutter. If you have piles of clothes, old boxes, and other items around your home, rats will use them for their nests.

How Do I Get Rid Of Rats In My House And Keep Them Out?

If you are dealing with rats in your Tucson home, call Conquistador Pest & Termite. We have over four decades of pest control experience and know how to eliminate the rats from your home for good. Call us today for a free estimate!