Yes, rats pose significant dangers to human health and property. They can transmit various diseases through their urine, droppings, saliva, and bites. Diseases spread by rats include Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, Rat-Bite Fever, and Salmonellosis. Additionally, rats can cause substantial property damage by gnawing on electrical wiring (creating fire hazards), damaging insulation, and destroying stored items.

While both are rodents, rats and mice differ in several ways: size (rats are significantly larger at 7-10 inches than mice at 3-4 inches); appearance (rats have blunter snouts, smaller ears relative to head size, and thicker tails); behavior (rats are generally warier of new objects, while mice are more curious); diet (rats require water daily, while mice can get moisture from their food); and droppings (rat droppings are larger at ¾ inch compared to mouse droppings at ¼ inch). Different control strategies may be needed for effective management of each species.

Rats are attracted to yards that provide food, water, and shelter. Food sources include pet food, bird seed, compost, garbage, fruit trees, and vegetable gardens. Water sources include leaky faucets, pet water dishes, bird baths, and poor drainage areas. Shelter opportunities include woodpiles, dense vegetation, tall grass, and cluttered storage areas. Rats may also be drawn to your yard if there's easy access to your home through gaps, cracks, or holes in the foundation or exterior walls.

Professional exterminators use an integrated approach to rodent control: conducting thorough inspections to identify the species, entry points, and extent of infestation; setting appropriate traps and/or bait stations in strategic locations; implementing exclusion techniques to seal entry points with rodent-proof materials; removing existing rodents through trapping or baiting methods; sanitizing affected areas to remove attractants; providing ongoing monitoring and maintenance to prevent reinfestation; and offering recommendations for habitat modification to make properties less attractive to rodents.

If you've caught a live rodent, wear gloves to protect yourself from bites and disease and avoid direct contact with the animal. If using a live trap, cover it with a towel to reduce stress on the animal. You can release it at least 1 mile away from your home in a suitable habitat (check local regulations first) or contact our professional pest control service to handle live captures safely and legally. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the trap before reusing, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.