Do you live a dangerous life? Maybe you work as a police officer or operate heavy machinery daily. Maybe the most dangerous part of your day is your drive to work. Some dangers in life we accept and learn how to mitigate. This is why we look both ways before crossing the street. It is also why we work hard to keep rats out of our homes. The questions we will be answering today are why rats are dangerous and what draws these pests to invade Norwalk properties.
The Many Reasons Rats Are Dangerous
It would be nice if there were only one threat rats posed to people. Sadly, this is not the case. Rats are dangerous in way more ways than just one. To help break things down, we will discuss the two biggest threats rats pose to Norwalk residents.
Disease
There is a good reason why pest rats are dangerous, and pet rats are not. It all comes down to the environment and diet. Pet rats are fed healthy food and kept in a clean cage. Pest rats rummage through trash, eat dead animals, and consume nasty things like fecal droppings. This is how they pick up diseases. When rats invade homes, they spread disease-causing organisms through their fecal dropping and urine. You are most likely to find these byproducts in the back of drawers, inside pantries, and inside boxes of food that rats have climbed inside. Remove rats from your house ASAP and use safety equipment when cleaning up afterward to avoid getting sick.
Parasites
There are two types of parasites rats carry. The first exists inside their body. These are included in the many disease-causing organisms rats carry. The parasites we would like to highlight are the ones you can see: fleas, ticks, and mites. These blood-feeding pests use rats as a mode of transportation to get into homes. Once inside, they threaten homeowners and pets with the many blood-borne diseases they carry, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and murine typhus.
How Dangerous Rats Get Into Homes
Rats invade homes in a few different ways. Most often, they squeeze inside through gaps, cracks, and holes found in foundational blocks. These pests might also invade through damaged window or door screens, under improperly installed doors, and by chewing a hole through wooden walls.
Some Strategies To Protect Your Norwalk Home From Rats
To deter rats from coming onto your property and invading your home, you should put in place some preventative measures. Here are some great places to start:
- Seal holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation using a caulking gun and some steel wool.
- Repair damage to window/door screens and door sweeps.
- Make sure your pipes are not leaky and that your gutters are working properly.
- Eliminate sources of water build-up around your property.
- After eating, store leftover inside airtight containers.
- Invest in tough, rodent-proof trash cans and keep them clean.
- Keep your living areas and yard as clean as possible.
What To Do If Rats Invade
Rats are not a creature you want to share your living areas with. To get these pests out of your Norwalk home and make sure they stay outside where they belong, trust the experts at Insecta X Total Pest Solutions. We understand how big of a threat these furry invaders are and work hard to keep our community as safe as possible from them.
With a range of residential pest control services and a team of friendly technicians, you will never regret choosing us for your pest protection needs. Call today to get started on your journey to a rat-free home. We also offer commercial pest control for local businesses.