The Trick To Getting Rid Of Rats On Your Spring Branch Property

Rats can be both dangerous and destructive. Many people mistakenly think that if they spot a rat outside of their home, it isn't a big deal. However, this is a problem that can quickly get out of control if it is ignored. If you think that you may have rats on your property, you need to contact an experienced Spring Branch pest control company as soon as possible. 

How To Tell If It's Rats Lurking Around Your Property

Roof rats and Norway rats are the two types of rats that are commonly found in and around the Spring Branch area. Roof rats can grow to be around a foot long and usually have dark black fur and a long tail. Norway rats, on the other hand, usually have brown fur and shorter tails. 

These two rat species not only look different, but they also tend to have different habits when it comes to foraging and finding shelter. This can make it difficult to determine if you have rats or some other rodent on your property. However, there are a few clues that will definitively tell you if you have rats on your property:

• Rat droppings. If you see any dark, oval-shaped droppings around your home, garage, or storage buildings, there is a good chance that a rat has been there recently. Rat droppings are usually around one-half to one inch long. One rat can leave between 30 and 50 droppings per day. 
• Scratching sounds in your ceiling. Roof rats are great climbers. They can use their long tails to help them balance on power lines and other thin, elevated surfaces. They use their climbing abilities to get on the roofs of buildings and homes. Once there, it doesn't take long before you find rats in your attic and inside the walls. 
• Small holes in the ground. Unlike roof rats, Norway rats like to stay close to the ground. They will sometimes take shelter in borrows that are found near the foundation of your home or near gardens and ponds. They will also look for vents and gaps around pipes to find an entrance into your home.
• Shredded Insulation. Both types of rats like to stay out of sight as much as possible. Shredded insulation is a good indicator that they have picked the inside of your walls as a hiding spot. 
• Bite marks and holes in the walls. Rats have strong teeth that can easily chew through thick plastic, wood, and drywall. They will nibble on almost any surface if they think that it will lead them to food or shelter.

If you notice any of the signs listed above, there is a good chance that rats have found their way onto your Spring Branch property. 

Rats Cause Property Damage And Spread Diseases

As we have already mentioned, rats are destructive pests. They can chew their way through your home, leaving you with time-consuming and costly repairs. These repairs can also be dangerous if not fixed in a timely manner. For example, if a rat is in your wall, it will chew on the electrical wiring in homes and businesses. The chewed-up wires can cause a short in your electrical system and could also be a potential fire hazard. 

Rats are hazardous to your health in other ways as well. These animals are not known for their cleanliness. If they make it into your house, they will leave their urine and feces in various parts of your home, including in and around your food. If you unknowingly come into contact with their droppings, it could lead to serious illnesses. 

The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Rats On Your Property

The best way to get rid of rats on your property is to work with a professional pest control company like Hill Country Pest Solutions. However, there are also steps you can take to make your property as inhabitable as possible. Rats need three things to sustain themselves: food, water, and shelter. If you take away these three necessities, the rat will leave to find them elsewhere.

In order to make the rat want to leave your property, you should:

• Take away its food source by placing all of your food items in a metal or glass container with a sealable lid. If you notice rats in your outdoor storage building or barn, make sure that there aren't any grains, supplements, or other livestock feed out in the open. Also, don't put up bird feeders too close to your home or building.
• Eliminate their water source by drying the sinks and countertops thoroughly after using the facet. Also, make sure that none of your home's interior or exterior pipes are leaking.
• Get rid of rats' hiding spaces by cleaning up all clutter in and around your home. 

By following these tips, you will make a less hospitable environment for the rats. 

Five Tips To Prevent Future Rat Infestation On Your Property

Once you have gotten rid of the rats, you will want to make sure that they can't come back. Here is a look at the five best ways to prevent a future rat infestation on your property:

1. Remove debris from your yard, including tree limbs, children's toys, and stacks of firewood.
2. Keep the grass in your yard cut short during the warmer months.
3. Remove any thick shrubs or plants away from your home.
4. Fill in all holes, gaps, and cracks in your home.
5. Keep all inside and outdoor pet food in a metal container with a lockable lid.

At Hill Country Pest Solutions, we are a locally owned and operated pest control company. Our knowledgeable technicians have years of experience dealing with rats in Texas. If you live in or around the Spring Branch area, call us today to see how we can help you get rid of the rats on your property.