Keep Rats Out Of Your Home In Melrose, MA
Rodent Exterminator
Welcome to F&W Pest Control! Rats are the bane of many homeowners in Melrose, MA, and much of New England for that matter. They carry diseases, damage property, contaminate food, and generally make a nuisance of themselves; not surprisingly, humans have been trying to outwit them since antiquity. Controlling a rat problem is not something that can typically be done overnight; but if you are serious about keeping rodents away from your property, there are a few strategies and techniques you can employ to achieve this goal.
In this article, we will discuss the basics of rat control, the risks these furry pests present, strategies for prevention, and finally, what to do if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having rat visitors in your home.
What You Should Know About Rats
Before we delve into rat control, it is important to understand a few key facts about these troublesome creatures. Rats (genus Rattus) are a type of rodent, and the two most common in New England are the Norway rat (R. norvegicus) and the roof rat (R. rattus). The Norway rat is the larger of the two, with adults reaching up to 16 inches long (including their tail!). They are brown to black in color, and burrowing creatures by nature. The roof rat, on the other hand, is smaller and more agile, and they prefer to remain off the ground. These rats are gray to black in color and are primarily active at night.
Although rats are arguably attracted to an ample food supply, they are also opportunistic scavengers and can survive on incredibly limited resources when necessary. This presents a unique challenge for homeowners because it means that even if your kitchen and pantry are kept orderly and clean, you still might find a rat scrounging around looking for sustenance. Additionally, rats can live outside all year long, so even if you make the effort to keep food and other resources inside out of their reach, they may still exist in outdoor living spaces.
Rats and Diseases
As if their annoying habits and habitats weren’t enough, rats have the unfortunate distinction of being carriers of various pathogens and illnesses. These include everything from Salmonella and Leptospirosis to Rat-Bite Fever and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Common signs of rat-borne illnesses include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and rash. And, because many of these diseases are contagious, they can spread to humans quickly if not properly managed.
How to Keep Rats Away
Fortunately for Melrose homeowners, there are several measures you can take to help keep rats away from your property. One of the most effective is removing food and shelter sources as much as possible. This means ensuring that all pet food is sealed and stored in a metal or thick plastic container. Additionally, it is important to keep your grass cut short and vegetation trimmed back; overgrown grass and brush will undoubtedly provide shelter for rats.
You will also want to check for potential entry points into your home, like gaps and holes in the foundation or roof, or any other potential openings. If you do locate an entry ? or even if you don’t ? it may be necessary to install mechanical barriers to close the gap, so even if a rat were to try getting inside, it would be stopped in its tracks.
Finally, it is important to be aware of the fact that rats can wreak havoc by gnawing on wood, insulation, wires, and other materials. To prevent this, make sure to block off any access points to walls and attics, as these are common targets for rat destruction.
Cap off the sewer pipes and vents with thick-gauge screening to keep them out. Rats can also slip through small gaps in the soil around your foundation block those off as well.
What To Do If You Have a Rat Problem
In the event that your efforts to keep rats away fail, you will need to contact a professional pest control service to help assess and eradicate your problem. At F&W Pest Control, our office is based right here in Melrose, MA, and we specialize in all types of residential pest control’including rodents. An F&W Pest Control technician will inspect your property, locate the source of the rat infestation, and determine the most effective removal strategy.
After the inspection, we will devise a customized treatment plan specific to your situation. This may involve traditional removal, trapping, or some combination thereof. For an extra level of protection, you can also consider one of our year-round residential pest control plans, which will ensure ongoing protection from a variety of creepy-crawly pests.
Conclusion
Rats are a nuisance for many homeowners in Melrose, MA and beyond. Efforts at prevention and control are best taken on a proactive basis, whereby landowners are aware of the risks of a potential infestation, and the sources of food, shelter, and entry points that may be making matters even worse. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of a rat infestation, you will need to contact a professional pest control service that specializes in rodent control for help. F&W Pest Control offers a full spectrum of MA pest control services and can work with you to find the most effective solution for your property. Our professionals are experienced and dedicated to successful rat removal so that you can take back your home and property. Contact us for more information or to schedule an initial inspection today!
One of our pest management professionals will assess the extent of the issue and determine whether or not you need pest control services to get rid of troublesome pests. We have offices in Wrentham, MA, Framingham, MA, Peabody, MA, and Kingston, MA, but serve all of eastern Massachusetts. If we confirm that there are issues, we will recommend the treatments that will be most effective for your property.
Pest Control Near Me
Searching for an easy fix to your pest problems? Here at F&W Pest Control, our exterminators will treat an array of different pest issues including termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and more! Long-term protection is right at your reach with the help of our highly trained team of exterminators in the Greater Boston area. Don’t allow pests to take over your home, put your trust in our pest control services to ensure a pest-free home. With our help, you won’t have to spend any more free time implementing DIY extermination methods!
