Rats are one of the worst pest problems to have in Northern Virginia. They are disease carrying rodents that leave dangerous droppings behind them. Droppings that can be more dangerous than their bite.There is also a strong, undesirable odor associated with an infestation. Typical indications of a rat problem are noises being heard at night and scratching in the attic. They will destroy your home by leaving small droppings and digging tunnels in insulation and other materials. Your attic is what they are looking for in terms of shelter and nesting materials. Allowing rats to stay in your attic will result in expensive repairs and a lot of clean up. We have knowledge and experience that will work to help you get your home back from these pests.
Dangers of Rats in your Attic
Handling rat problems on your own is not a good idea for several reasons. They can carry external parasites such as fleas, flies, maggots, ticks, and mites. Viruses, such as Hepatitis E, are not uncommon. While most homeowners will not come in contact with them in their attic you will hear and smell them. Contamination can put your health and the health of your family and pets at risk. They can also cause major damages in your attic. Droppings and urine can saturate drywall and ruin insulation. The worst problem, however, is chewing. Rats, mice and other rodents have teeth that never stop growing so they gnaw on whatever is available. If wires are left exposed you are at risk of having a house fire. There are so many reasons to call professionals for help. Your family’s safety should be at the top of that list. Call us today.
Rats In The Attic, Walls
If you see one rat in your attic, more than likely, it is not alone. Just like mice and other rodents, rats breed very quickly and they need to be removed from your attic before you have an infestation. An average litter is 6-12, gestation is 22-24 days and new young reach reproductive maturity at about 3 months. This means your problem can get out of control rapidly and the expense only gets bigger along with the infestation. Make no mistake, these critters can and will create serious damage to your home if allowed to stay. They will leave an odor in your home that will need professional deodorization and the droppings and urine will need to be cleaned up and sanitized to remove the risk of disease. Insulation, wood and drywall in your attic can all be damaged. You need to have them removed as soon as you are aware of them.
