If you have ever discovered that rats have infiltrated your New England home, then you understand the horror that this realization brings. You begin to wonder about all kind of things. How are they getting in? How long have they been in the house? Is there a nest or babies somewhere in your home? Is it safe to try to trap and remove them? Many questions spring into a homeowner's mind when it comes to how rats are getting in and how to get them out. Today, we are going to share some tips on how to keep rats out of your home all year long and the best strategies for both getting them out and keeping them out!
Rats In New England
Like mice, rats are rodents that are very common in our area. All rodents have a set of front incisors that never stop growing. For this reason, rats will gnaw on anything and everything in your home in order to maintain them and keep them from growing too long. This can lead to serious damages inside the homes they choose to invade. Like we said, rats will chew on just about anything including wood, metal, insulation, storage boxes and the items inside, books, furniture, and everything in between. They are even known to chew on electrical wires which can cause sparks and present a fire hazard! Adult rats grow to be around 8 to 10 inches in length, not including their 8-inch long tails. These rodents can be grey, brown, black, or a variety of other colors with underbellies that are a lighter color than the rest of their fur. Rats will bite if they feel threatened and they are known to carry many diseases as well as parasites such as mites, fleas, and ticks.
Rats Are More Likely To Infest In Cold Weather
Like all warm-blooded mammals, rats will start looking for a warm place to be when the temperatures outside begin to drop. Here in New England, the temperatures are known to drop quite quickly as the summer weather gives way to the cool, crisp months of autumn, and as this occurs, the rats will be on the lookout for winter accommodations. However, it is important for homeowners to be aware that rats can find their way into homes during any time of the year, not just in the fall and winter. Here are some tips to keep rats out no matter what season it is. If you are diligent in keeping up your defenses, you may be able to maintain a rat-free home all year round.
Rat Prevention Tips For Fall
As mentioned, fall is the season when pests start seeking a warm home to overwinter in. Now is the time to remove all attractants from your property, things such as tall grass, overgrown weeds, and clutter that rats could use to hide in, behind, or under. Remove piles of leaves and debris from your property and make sure all firewood is stacked a distance away from your home, if possible. Also, examine the exterior of your home and seal up any gaps, cracks, and holes you find. Finally, remove all food and water sources in your yard by picking up fallen fruits and vegetables, removing pet food and water bowls, and cleaning up after outdoor cookouts.
Rat-Prevention Tips For Winter
In winter, if you have not already performed the fall prevention methods listed above, you may be able to do some of those tips now to help deter any rodents looking to invade your home. But you should also focus on keeping the inside of your home free of food and water sources for rats, especially in the chilly winter months. Keep all foods stored in the fridge, freezer, or in hard, plastic containers with sealable lids. It is also important to clean up any crumbs and food or drink spills promptly and to vacuum regularly.
Rat Prevention Tips For Spring
Spring is the perfect time for spring cleaning, hence the name “spring” cleaning! Keeping your living spaces as well as your attic, storage rooms, garage, and crawlspace free of clutter will discourage any rodents that find their way inside from becoming a permanent resident. If a rodent finds its way inside your home but cannot find any suitably cluttered areas to hide in, it may decide to look for shelter elsewhere.
Rat Prevention Tips For Summer
In summer, and all year round, make sure that all of your outdoor trash receptacles have tight-fitting lids placed on them so that the smells of the fresh or decomposing foods inside don’t lure rats and other pests to your home. In the summertime, it is also helpful to keep your grass trimmed short and to remove any clutter in your yard that rats could hide and build their burrows in. If you have bushes and trees that touch the exterior of your home, it is a good idea to keep them trimmed back away from your home’s perimeter so the sun can reach those areas and dry them out and so invasive pests cannot use them as bridges to gain access to your walls or roof.
Rat Prevention Year Round With Help From the Professionals
Sometimes, even with the best year-round prevention efforts, rats still manage to find their way into a wall void or attic space. When this happens, it is best to reach out to a professional pest control company for assistance. Here at Big Blue Bug Solutions, we are experts in handling problems with rats and any other household pest that you may be dealing with. And we can also assist you by providing you, your family, and your home with our year-round pest control plans! For the best and safest defense against damaging, disease-causing rats, reach out to us at Big Blue Bug Solutions today. We are standing by to answer all your questions!
