In nearly every home with an attic, sounds of scurrying and chirping may sometimes be heard, indicating a rat infestation. The attic has long been a very attractive home for rodents, particularly rats and mice, its environment creates an ideal habitat for them, giving them the opportunity to mate, and lowering the chances of meeting their natural enemies.
Why Attics Attract Rats?
Attics are warm and damp places. In the wild, rats can be found along the edges of rivers. They prefer manmade structures because, aside from being ideal in both temperature and humidity, abundant sources of food are usually easily accessible within 20 feet. As omnivores, rats can eat almost any food they find. Studies have shown that they prefer certain foods like cereals, scrambled eggs, macaroni, and cheese - foods that can be found in nearly all homes. Furthermore, rats can adapt their diet to what is readily available. They catch fish when they live close to fisheries.
The presence of the opposite sex in the attic is another appeal for these rodents. Rats attract other rats and produce more rats. They are driven to seek out their peers particularly when they feel the urge to mate. A typical female can give birth to about seven rats at a time on average, but sometimes they can deliver up to 14 newborns. They typically produce five litters a year. A decline in the herds' numbers will induce a pack of rats to reproduce at an even quicker rate to replace those that were lost.
An attic is a relatively safe place for rats. Many of their natural enemies in the wild, such as the hawk and the snake, are rarely found in places with high human concentration. They can burrow into the many small, tight places in an attic, escaping from pursuing predators. They can also outwait these enemies due to the presence of foodstuffs like boxes, clothes, and even electrical wiring.
The Hazards of Allowing Rats to Run Free in the Attic
Approximately 40% of fire incidents in the home can be traced back to a rat infestation in the attic. Electrical wiring, air ducts and plumbing all go through the attic. Rats gnaw through the insulation of electrical wires and expose the conductive material underneath. The attic becomes a fire waiting to happen and since it is a part of the house that normally doesn't have much traffic or is cleaned regularly, the owners most likely won't notice the damage until it's too advanced or a fire occurs.
In addition to the prior, Rats carry with them various disease-causing pathogens, such as the hanta virus, which causes a fatal respiratory syndrome; Leptospira bacteria, which can cause kidney damage and bacterial meningitis; and the Plague bacteria, yersinia pestis, which can cause death if treatment is not given promptly. These are just a few of the diseases rats can cause to homeowners throughout the year while co-habiting inside the house.
These diseases can be transferred to humans through various means. When cornered or surprised, rats bite. Although they do not have any venom, the bacteria or viruses in their mouth can transmit disease. When foraging, rats can contaminate human food items. Their body waste can get into the water supply. The lice and fleas they carry can also transfer these viral and bacterial agents to humans.
This kind of contamination generally cannot be seen by the naked eye. So the house and its food may appear deceptively clean and safe, despite the presence of rats in the attic. That's why it's important to have a pest control expert inspect every area of the house regularly to ensure that an infestation isn't in progress and avoid inconveniences later on.
Rats Control Products & Reviews
Suncoast Pest Control has been providing effective Tampa Pest Control and Miami Pest Control solutions since 1993. This family owned and operated pest control company utilizes an environmental, pet and child friendly approach to the extermination of various pests. Call today, 1-800-270-3086.
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