Rats are the worst kind of pest that can do damage to both your property and health. Not only they can spoil food but can also spread diseases. So, if there is an uninvited rat wandering around in your home, you must take action. Try to get rid of the rats and mice as soon as you witness signs of their presence.
In case you do not know much about these rodents, we are here to help you out. This article includes the basic information about rats that can upgrade your knowledge. Also, we have discussed some common rat species so that you can easily identify them.
How Do Mice Enter Houses?
Rats and mice usually enter homes through roofs and garages. Open garage doors, attic vents are the common entry points of these rodents. However, they can also make their way through drain pipes, and gaps along utility lines. So, if your house has poor sealing, spaces around gas and water lines, or a garage door that does not t fit well, you need to fix them.
How to Tell if Your Home Has Rodent Infestation
Rodents (rats and mice) leave clear signs once they make a nest somewhere. Chewed food packaging or walls, weird stale odor, and scratching noises inside the rooms are some clear signs. As soon as you come across these signs of rat droppings, try to locate the rat nesting.
Where do rats nest?
Nesting locations for rats differ with respect to their species. However, they often tend to hide in warm, moist places which are closer to food. Start with paces that have gaps or a hole that was not there before. Rats can easily hide in wall voids, ground burrows, and attics.
Can rats spare diseases?
Yes, rats carry diseases and can affect humans both directly and indirectly. These rodents can spread the following diseases:
- Tularemia
- Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
- South American Arenaviruses
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
- Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever
- Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM)
- Rat-bite Fever
- Lassa Fever
- Salmonellosis
- Leptospirosis
Can you get sick from cleaning up rat droppings?
Surprisingly, yes. You may get sick while cleaning rat droppings from your home. Even dried rat droppings have pathogens that can aerosolize when you disturb them. These pathogens can enter your body when you breathe while cleaning. So, you must follow precautions and clean up rat droppings properly.
What are the other damages of a rat infestation?
Aside from the health problems, rats can also spread fleas, mites, and ticks. These pests are present on their body which can spread numerous bacterial diseases. Other than the health concerns, rats can also destruct your property. Both rats and mice tend to chew food packaging and wires.
Can a rat bite you?
Rats have significantly large teeth and they can bit a human. There are pathogens present in a rat’s saliva and you might get affected by lepidopterist. So, you should clean and disinfect the wound and must consult a doctor.
Common Rats that are found in Canada
There are plenty of rat species present around the globe and in Canada. However, some of them are more dangerous and pose serious threats. These rodents can spread diseases and destroy your property both residential and commercial.
Field Mouse
Field mice can be found across Canada in low arctic tundra, forests, and grasslands. There are twelve different types of field mice but not all are a threat. Although they pose a little threat, these rodents can cause serious damage. They can make tunnels, sneak into your businesses, and gnaw on wires and food.
Norway Rat
Surprisingly, the Norway rat is originated in Central Asia first. From there it made its way to North America and Canada. Now, this is one of the most widely present rats in the country. Norway rat is also named as “King Rat” and “Super Rat” due to its large size. These rodents express aggressive behavior and can destroy food and infrastructure.
House Mouse
This is the most commonly found rodent which almost all of us have encountered. House mice are small in size, have secretive behavior, and breed rapidly. These are one of the worst rodents that can quickly damage your property. They feed on food supply and plants while gnawing almost everything they can find.
Roof Rat
As the name represents, these rodents tend to live on roofs. They have the climbing ability and since they are not afraid of heights, they dwell in trees and attics. They enter through touching trees limbs and make their way by chewing soffit and eaves. They gnaw on wood beams in the attic and often chew wires.
We hope our small guide about rats and mice has helped you. Controlling these rodents can be a tough task for most people. That’s why we recommend you hire a professional pest control service provider if you have a rodent infestation. They can identify the type of rodent and can provide you with the right solution.
