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If two rats were put in front of you, one black and one brown, would you know which of the two is a roof rat? If your answer is the black one, you are correct! Good job. You're on your way to being able to better protect your Nashville property from the dangers of rat damage and rat-borne illnesses. Why? Because roof rats and Norway rats have some important differences. If you see a black rat on your property, there are a few things you can immediately conclude about that rat. Let's take a look at a few of them and see how Nashville pest control can help!
The Difference Between A Roof Rat And A Norway Rat
Appearance: Roof rats are often called black rats because they are black, or a brown black mix with an underside that is gray, white or black. Norway rats are often called brown rats because they are usually brown with a gray or white underside. A roof rat is generally smaller than a Norway rat. The body of a roof rat is 6 to 8 inches long. The body of a Norway rat is 7 to 9 ½ inches long.
Climbing: Roof rats are great climbers. Don't be surprised if you see one of these rats in a tree. Norway rats prefer to scurry around on the ground.
Digging: Roof rats don't prefer to dig. Most of the time, they create their nests in tree branches and other high places. This, however, isn't to say that they won't dig. Under certain circumstances, they may dig a shallow burrow. Norway rats, on the other hand, are impressive diggers with a penchant for creating extensive ground burrows.
Invading: Of these two rats, you're most likely to find roof rats invading your Nashville home. This has earned roof rats another name. They're sometimes called house rats. So don't be surprised to find these rats in your attic spaces. It is quite common.
Specific Prevention For Roof Rats
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Trim tree branches away from your roofline and exterior walls. This prevents roof rats from easily jumping onto your roof.
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Put wire mesh in your downspouts to prevent roof rats from climbing up to your roof.
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If you have lattice or vegetation that helps roof rats scale your walls to get to your roof, you might want to remove them or consider having a service professional from All-American Pest Control use tamper-resistant traps to get control of rodents that may explore these areas.
Tips For General Rat Prevention
While they have their difference, they have many similarities that should be considered when you think about how to keep rats out of your Nashville home.
Trash: Roof rats and Norway rats are great jumpers. If you have an open container of trash, they're likely to be able to get into it. Keep your trash covered. There are many food options in a bag of trash.
Standing Water: Rats need a drink of water more than they need food. If you offer them drinking holes, they'll take advantage of them. This could be anything from a puddle on the ground to a pool of rainwater captured in an upside-down frisbee.
Droppings: If you have a dog that leaves droppings in your yard, it is important that you realize that those droppings can be a food source for rats. While not a sought-after food source, it is still a potential attractant.
Woodpiles: Rats love woodpiles. They find bugs to eat in woodpiles, and tight spaces to hide in.
Leaf Piles: Rats hide under leaf piles and leaf litter. Keep your leaves raked up to reduce rat activity.
Hiding Places: Rats usually run from one hiding place to another. They don't prefer to be out in the open. If you have lawn clutter, your yard will be more interesting to rats.
Moisture: All rats are drawn to moisture and dampness. If you have dampness around your home or humidity inside, you're going to attract rats.
Get The Best Control For Rats
If you are seeing signs of rodent activity in your yard, or worse, you're seeing signs inside your Nashville home, contact All-American Pest Control. Our service team members are highly-trained and licensed professionals. We can provide the services required to get control of your rat problem and help you protect your health and property. Connect with us today to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Nashville. We're here to help.
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