Some people love rats. They keep them as pets and marvel at how smart and cute they are. While we could probably all agree that they’re smart, rats don’t typically have the greatest reputation. Most people would admit that they’d rather not encounter one if given the choice. The good news is that you do have a choice, especially when it comes to your home. If you’re wondering how rats get inside South Portland homes and how to prevent it from happening to yours, read on.
How a rat gets into your house, and the subsequent damage it causes, has a lot to do with the type of rat that’s invading. Here in South Portland, there are two main types of rats: roof rats and Norway rats.
Roof Rats
As their name indicates, roof rats enter homes by climbing on the roof or getting in through upper levels of homes. They are the smaller of the two rat types, typically growing to around 16 inches in length from the tip of their noses to the tip of their tails. They are long and thin in size, with big eyes and ears and a pointed nose.
When roof rats get inside, they typically settle down in the attic or wall voids in the upper levels of your home. However, that doesn’t mean they stay there. They wander through your house, especially the kitchen, looking for food. You’re likely to find their droppings, which are about half an inch long with pointed ends. You may discover damaged items in your pantry or in storage areas. It’s possible that you’ll hear them moving around within your walls.
Norway Rats
In contrast to roof rats, Norway rats have fuller bodies and blunt noses. They are larger than roof rats, usually measuring around 17 inches from nose to tail.
Norway rats are not good climbers, so they’ll gain entry to your home on the lower levels, typically building their nests in basements or within walls. If you find their droppings, you can distinguish them from roof rats because they are slightly larger and have blunt ends.
How to Prevent Rats From Getting Inside
Because they can get in from so many different areas, it’s vital to do a thorough inspection of the outside of your home. Rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter. They are excellent chewers and can make a small hole larger with relatively little effort.
Things you can do to keep rats out:
- Seal every crack, hole, and gap you find.
- Cap your chimney and cover all vents, including the ends of downspouts. Roof rats can crawl through them to gain access to your roof.
- Trim back tree branches so none touch the side of your house or the roof.
- Remove wood piles, as Norway rats are fond of them.
- Pick up lawn debris and keep your landscaping well-trimmed.
What to Do if Rats Get Inside Your Portland Home
If you suspect that rats have gotten into your home, it’s best to call in the professionals. Because they can hide in so many different and hard-to-reach locations, and due to the damage and dangers they cause, you’ll want the assurance that Big Blue Bug Solutions can offer. We can eliminate your entire rat problem.
Don’t wait for a rat infestation to go from bad to worse. Contact Big Blue Bug Solutions and get started on creating a rat-free home.