Rats are tiny animals and can fit through pretty tight spaces — even holes as small as a quarter. Here are five of the most common entry points they might use to access your home or business:
Any small crack can be a rat’s way in. Fill holes around your home or business with caulk, using steel wool and waterproof sealant for larger entry points
Rats can enter through spaces or gaps around vent openings. The key is to seal these gaps and cover them with metal screening.
Check that your windows are securely closed and look for any holes in the window screen and frame.
Holes may appear at roof intersections. Make sure all intersections on your roof are secure and use a waterproof sealant if needed.
Install a chimney grate or cap to stop rats from entering. You should also consider professionally cleaning your chimney.
Rats pose a risk to both your health and safety. In terms of health risks, rats can make people and other animals sick through food and water contamination, direct bites or scratches, and infected fleas and mites. These critters can also compromise your safety by chewing and gnawing on wires or burrowing through your building’s infrastructure. Instead of approaching rats or trying to handle your own rat problem, call the animal experts at Critter Control® of Polk County.
When dealing with a rat infestation, it is important to rely on trusted animal control specialists. Testing out DIY solutions could put you at risk, and it’s highly ineffective at keeping rats away in the future. That’s why our trained professionals at Critter Control® of Polk County use the CritterSafe® methodology to handle residential and commercial rat infestations. This four-step process includes inspection, removal, repair, and restoration. It involves identifying entry points, removing the rats, developing long-term solutions, and fixing property damage caused by these critters.
Rats shouldn’t be something that any home or business owner in Bartow has to worry about. By using effective, humane removal methods and identifying long-term solutions, the licensed animal control specialists at Critter Control® of Bartow have the tools to tackle your rat infestation.