Rats are among the most common rodents that infest San Fernando Valley properties. They cause damage and spread illnesses in buildings, threatening residents. They’re hard to find and dangerous to remove, so effective rodent control is essential.
You can prevent these creatures from invading your house, but you’ll need rodent control in San Fernando Valley, CA, to safely remove them. Professionals will also ensure they don’t leave problems in your structure. Read on to learn about Southern California rats and how to keep them away from your property.
Common Rat Species: Identifying Different Types Of Rats
Norway and roof rats are the two most common species of rats in the San Fernando Valley. These creatures look very similar, making it difficult for residents to differentiate between them. Both are brown with black hairs and have gray or white undersides. However, there are some differences to help identify the species in your home.
Size is the primary difference between these creatures. While they’re similar in length, Norway rats have small ears and eyes. Meanwhile, roof rats have big ears and eyes. Another way to tell these species apart is where you’ll find them. Norway rats enter near the foundation and stay on lower floors. Roof rats climb trees to access roofs, preferring the upper parts of structures.
Both species can cause significant damage and health risks when they invade buildings. For this reason, calling professionals is the safest and most effective way to remove them.
Health Risks Posed By Rats: Understanding The Hazards To Humans
Rats carry diseases and transmit them to residents through bites, contaminated air, contaminated products, and eating contaminated food. Direct contact with these creatures or their waste can result in numerous illnesses, including:
- Leptospirosis
- Rat-bite fever
- Tularemia
- Salmonellosis
- Jaundice
Rats can also cause property issues, chewing on electrical wires to file their teeth and digging through insulation to build nests. These habits can result in fires, leave your building susceptible to exterior elements, and increase utility costs. Preventing or getting rid of rats will enable you to avoid these concerns.
Rat Prevention: Simple Measures To Keep Rats Out
Rats hide in walls and attics when they invade buildings, making it hard to discover rat infestations. As a result, the pests have plenty of time to damage structures and spread illnesses. Preventing these creatures from getting into buildings in the first place is the only way to ensure your safety. Tips to keep rats out of your building include:
- Keep wood and debris away from your home.
- Seal holes in your exterior.
- Dry up moisture in your house.
- Store your food in rodent-proof containers.
- Dispose of your trash regularly.
These tips can prevent most rats from invading, but they’re experts at finding new entry points. They’re also social animals, rapidly reproducing to worsen infestations. If you recognize these creatures or signs of their presence, you’ll need rat control professionals to find and remove them.
Call The Rat Control Experts: Ensuring Safe And Effective Elimination
Approaching rats without the proper equipment or training is dangerous because these creatures can cause illnesses in numerous ways. For this reason, you should call rat removal experts to get them out of your building. The PEST Group can find, trap, and remove these pests from your home, keeping you safe.
We start with an inspection to find the pests and damage in your structure. We place snap traps or glue boards in areas they frequent, using what they eat as bait. We’ll return to check the traps and provide monthly recurring services. Call us when rats get into your San Fernando Valley building.
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