Rat extermination is not for amateurs. It may be tempting to try to control a pest problem without paying for a professional's assistance but it isn't recommended when dealing with rats. These wary creatures often elude traps and poisoned bait, making them difficult to dispatch. Every day that they are allowed to continue living in a human's home is another 24 hours that they have to spread disease, do structural damage, and multiply.
Even a single rat can carry diseases and parasites that can harm a human family. They are credited with the spread of the bubonic plague during the Middle Ages both through bites and the bites of their fleas. Though the plague is no longer a common epidemic, it still occurs in some parts of the world. More common is leptospirosis, which causes cardiovascular issues and failure of major organs. Half of all cases are fatal. Rats also carry hantavirus and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Bites are not necessary for the transmission of these three prevalent rat-borne ailments. They can be spread through rat urine. The faster a rat problem is dealt with, the quicker a home can be purged of these frightening health issues.
In additional to posing a health risk to humans, rats can cause serious structural damage to homes. Rats have larger, stronger teeth than mice and are capable of chewing through wood and concrete. They have been known to gnaw on wires inside of walls, thereby starting electrical fires. Their holes may appear in visible places inside the home like in cabinets and floorboards. Rats also have dirty, greasy fur which will leave unsightly smudges along baseboards. These repulsive marks are difficult to remove and frequently have a distinct odor.
Worst of all, a small rat problem can quickly turn into a full infestation in a short amount of time. The Norway rat, which is common to almost all parts of the United States, breeds rapidly. In a protected indoor environment, breeding can continue all year-long through every season. Each year, a female is capable of having 4 to 7 litters of 12 to 14 young.
What may seem like a small rat problem can quickly get out of control. Each additional critter that lives in a human home is another carrier of disease and destroyer of personal property. Skip amateur attempts to handle the situation and consider professional rat extermination services from a licensed provider.
If you have rat or mouse problems, you may want to set up some traps to solve the problem. Effective rat traps can be found in your local hardware store, or alternatively contact your local pest controller.
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