Plano Homeowners' Handy Guide To Roof Rat Control
Roof rats and humans have coexisted with each other for many millennia. These pests have remained a loyal problem for homeowners in every century, bringing the threat of home damage and disease wherever they run. No matter how elaborate or well-designed our homes, roof rats can always get in. Roof rats continue to impact how humans live their lives, including right here in Plano, TX. If you aren’t vigilant, a roof rat problem in your Plano home can cause serious problems. Here’s all you need to know about roof rats – and how to prevent them – in Plano properties.
Plano’s Roof Rat Identification Guide
You’ve probably seen roof rats around Plano, though these rodents are often confused with other rats. All rodents cause similar problems and require similar removal tactics, but let’s make sure you’re worried about roof rats, not a different rodent.
Like other rodents, roof rats have long, furry bodies, four legs, and small pinkish hands. They have narrow, triangular faces, and they are notably bigger than mice. Roof Rats grow to about 5-7 inches in length, and they are much darker and “pointier” than other rats are.
On top of their sharp, dirty features, you can also identify roof rats based on their movements. Roof rats are climbing rats, hence the name: these pests will climb on your roof, support beams, and masonry, making them notoriously hard to catch and remove.
Because they climb so easily, roof rats cause serious problems to Plano homeowners. They can spread disease in three dimensions and also cause damage to various parts of the home, which is why prevention is paramount.
Problems Associated With Roof Rats In Plano, TX
Roof rats cause two types of problems: home damage and disease. If anything, these pests are your property’s worst enemy: They chew through wood, wires, plastic, and insulation in your home just to build their nests. This damage can include your exterior masonry and your roof, which roof rats are known to run across, nest in, and damage.
The repairs from roof rat damage can cost thousands of dollars and ruin your property’s value.
Roof rats also spread awful diseases such as leptospira, salmonella, hantavirus, bartonella, and (rarely) the bubonic plague. These pathogens are spread in the following ways:
- Food: A roof rat in the pantry will contaminate your entire food supply, as the rat will spread its saliva and fur.
- Excrement: Roof rats leave droppings wherever they go, spreading bacteria and odors throughout the home. Since they love to climb, roof rats may leave waste in hard to reach places, making their presence harder to scrub.
- Movement: Roof rats spread disease simply by existing and moving around, especially since they can climb on virtually any surface. The longer they remain, the greater the risk of infection to your entire family.
Clearly, roof rats have no place in your Plano home. So, how can you keep them out?
Roof Rat Prevention Tips
Keeping roof rats out shouldn’t be time consuming. Your best bet is to make your house as unattractive to roof rats (and other rodents) as possible.
Roof rats are attracted to two things in your Plano home: clutter and food. If your house has a lot of junk or mess, such as piles of clothes or trash, rats will camp out and start their nests there.
This goes double if the roof rats have access to your trash or pantry. If your home has a lot of food sitting out, an unlocked pantry, or open access to trash bags, rats have every incentive to move indoors. Keep your food secure and your trash bins closed.
Finally, roof rats often get inside from the chimney – after all, these pests are climbers. You can prevent this by placing a roof cap, which will allow smoke to move out but will keep rats from coming in.
Despite these prevention efforts, roof rats still make their way inside Plano properties. If a roof rat has made its nest in your home, it’s too fast and wily to get rid of before it reproduces. Instead of trying to trap them, contact Plano’s local roof rat experts instead. Adams Exterminating Company will make sure these furry pests never hurt the health of your family and property ever again.