There are several reasons you may want to know if you have rats in your home, and not squirrels or mice—two other common rodents that get into Worcester homes. We are going to take a look at what makes rats a unique threat and discuss how you can tell what rodents are attempting to live in your home with you.
Why Rats Are Worse Than Squirrels
When a squirrel gets into a home, it is likely to stay in your attic. Rats will not. A rat will explore your home because it is its nature to do so. That means a rat will spread ticks, fleas, and other parasites to other areas besides your attic. A rat will leave urine and feces in other areas besides your attic. And rats can contaminate your food, dishes, and food-prep surfaces.
Why Rats Are Worse Than Mice
When a mouse gets into your home, it will do all the things a rat or squirrel will do, and it will move about your entire home like a rat. But it is a smaller animal. It can't chew through some of the materials rats can chew through. It will leave smaller feces. And, more than anything else, it won't bite you. Rats are sturdy animals that are not nearly as fearful of humans. If you corner or threaten a rat, it is likely to get aggressive and bite you.
6 Way To Tell Its A Rat
- Larger holes. While a rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter, it will make larger holes than a mouse will as it attempts to access your pantry, kitchen or food-storage areas.
- Larger droppings. Rat droppings are around ⅜ of an inch in length, which is larger than a grain of rice. Mouse droppings are smaller than a grain of rice. If you see large droppings in the cabinet under your kitchen sink or sprinkled in an attic space, it is likely that you have a rat infestation.
- Oil marks on baseboards. As rats run along walls, they are prone to leaving oil on the surface of baseboards.
- You'll probably see one. Rats are far bolder than mice. If rats are getting into your home, you're probably going to see them running around, especially if you search for activity at night.
- Holes in the yard. Norway rats tend to create burrows under the ground. If these rats are getting into your home, you're probably going to start to notice holes around your yard. These entrance holes are likely to be found underneath piles of objects in your yard.
- Squirrels entering or exiting. Since squirrels are diurnal (active during the day) it is easier to tell that they are the pest that is going in and out of your attic space. If you see a squirrel on your roof or disappearing into a hole in your roofline, eaves, or soffits, you probably don't have a rat infestation. Squirrels, rats, and mice rarely occupy a structure at the same time.
Do you have a rat infestation?
Whether you have rats, mice, or squirrels, you can count on the rodent control professionals at Big Blue Bug Solutions to help you get control of those pests. We're not just experts in controlling bugs. Reach out to us and schedule to meet with one of our experienced and highly-trained pest professionals. We'll help you get those rats out or your Worcester home and keep them out.